Two men were arrested Sunday night on suspicion of drug and parole violations after leading Woodland police on a pursuit that covered more than six miles.
The incident began about 6:42 p.m. when officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Sixth Street regarding a report that an individual with a gun was fleeing the area in a vehicle following an argument.
Upon arrival, a police K-9 officer spotted a vehicle quickly leaving the area and attempted to stop it on Fifth Street, between Pendegast and Cross streets, according to a Police Department news release. The driver led officers southwest through town on residential streets. Near the intersection of Pendegast and West streets, the occupants threw from the car items that officers later discovered were illegal drugs, officials said.
The vehicle then turned southbound on West Street, then west on West Gibson Road, which turns into County Road 24 at the intersection with County Road 98. The driver finally stopped near the intersection with Hillcrest Drive, west of the Woodland city limits.
Arrested were the driver, Jose Lopez, 35, of Woodland, and the front-seat passenger, Justin Johnson, 27, of Esparto. Both were on parole and are being held without bail in the Yolo County Jail.
A 14-year-old Woodland resident riding in the back seat was taken into custody and released to a guardian.
Police said speeds during the 6.3-mile pursuit never exceeded approximately 50 mph, and there were no collisions or injuries.
No weapon was located in the vehicle, and police later learned that the armed suspect fled in a different vehicle just before police arrived.
Police said most witnesses to the initial disturbance on Sixth Street were unwilling to provide information to other officers who arrived at the scene. A limited description of the armed suspect and the vehicle was broadcast to officers. Police said they are looking for a man driving a white Acura, and possibly another individual, who was driving a black Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Officials said it was unclear whether the armed occupant of the Acura brandished the gun during the disturbance and no description of the gun was provided.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Woodland Police Department at (530) 666-2411.
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