Man eludes police Thursday
Portion of Highway 65 closed due to search
Law enforcement is still looking for a wanted man who crashed his vehicle on the southbound Henderson Avenue off-ramp Thursday night, closing the highway for more than two hours, the Porterville Police Department reported.
Law enforcement is still looking for a wanted man who crashed his vehicle on the southbound Henderson Avenue off-ramp Thursday night, closing the highway for more than two hours, the Porterville Police Department reported.
Police believing Rudy Cortez, 29, of Porterville, was armed and had barricaded himself in the car closed down southbound Highway 65 at the intersection with West North Grand Avenue for a couple of hours. PPD ultimately learned he was not in the car and had fled on foot. He remains atlarge.
Earlier in the day, the department’s Narcotic Investigations Unit as part of an investigation was trying to locate Cortez, who was wanted on felony arrest warrants charging him with possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm.
At approximately 6 p.m. Thursday, detectives saw Cortez driving a vehicle in the area of Main Street and Westfield Avenue. They attempted to pull him over, but Cortez drove away.
With police following, Cortez drove to the intersection of Pioneer Avenue and Highway 65 and then began driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 65. Cortez crossed the median and attempted to exit onto the Henderson Avenue off-ramp but lost control of his vehicle and crashed into some bushes.
Highway 65 was temporarily closed with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, and the Porterville Police SWAT Team was called to the scene. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist with the use of its drone.
Upon checking the car, it was discovered Cortez had fled on foot and was able to elude authorities. During a search of the vehicle, a loaded firearm was located in the passenger compartment along with several rounds of ammunition.
Cortez is wanted on felony evading, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition as well as the outstanding felony warrants.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cortez is encouraged to contact the Porterville Police Department at 7827400 or their local law enforcement agency.