Pair arrested after pursuit near Mineta S.J. airport hits 100 mph
SAN JOSE » An 18-year- old man with a 14- year- old passenger led Santa Clara sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit of a stolen vehicle that sped past a terminal at Mineta San Jose International Airport late Wednesday, authorities said.
When it was over, deputies arrested 18-year- old Anthony Zavala on suspicion of felony evasion, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest and possession of stolen property, said Deputy Michael Low, a sheriff’s office spokesman.
Zavala has been in trouble previously. Authorities said he was on probation after burglary, auto theft and petty theft convictions.
They also arrested the teenage girl in the passenger seat and cited her for fleeing the scene, Low said. She was released to her guardian.
A third person in the car got away, and authorities are continuing to search for that person, Low said.
According to Low, the chase started when deputies spotted a stolen vehicle at 11:52 p.m. near Senter and Tully roads. They tried to pull the car over, but the driver accelerated and sped through several red lights trying to get away, Low said. The chase reached up to 100 mph in certain places, Low added.
Nobody at the terminal was injured.
“It’s just real fortunate they didn’t crash the car into anyone or anything,” Low said.
Deputies caught Zavala and the girl after the vehicle stopped near De Rose Way and Southwest Expressway in San Jose. All three people in the car ran away and jumped fences in the neighborhood, Low said. Deputies used a police dog and tracked down Zavala and the girl.
The police dog bit a resident during that chase. An ambulance took that person to a hospital for treatment. The resident’s injuries were not considered life-threatening.
A BB gun, a shaved key and a large number of stolen driver’s licenses, passports, identification cards and credit cards were found in the car, Low said.
The sheriff’s office urged anyone with information the chase or the suspect who got away to call them at 408- 808- 4500. Anonymous tips can be left at 408808- 4431.