Burglary suspects arrested after leading deputies on chase

CUPERTINO >> An 18-year-old man and three teens suspected of a residential burglary and carjacking were arrested after leading Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit, according to authorities.

Three suspects were reportedly burglarizing a Cupertino residence around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday when they were interrupted by the homeowner, according to the sheriff’s office. The suspects ran to a waiting vehicle, a gold Lexus sedan, and drove away before deputies arrived.

A short time later, a sheriff’s deputy spotted a gold Lexus in Saratoga that matched the description of the vehicle in the Cupertino burglary. A registration check of the Lexus indicated it had been stolen during a carjacking in San Jose earlier that day.

When the deputy tried to pull the Lexus over, the driver took off at an “excessive” speed, according to the sheriff’s office. The chase ended when the Lexus drove through the front yard of a residence off La Paloma Avenue in Saratoga, and the four suspects abandoned the car and ran away in different directions.

Deputies and a sheriff’s police dog surrounded the area and apprehended two suspects. With the help of residents and a group of electricians working in the area, the two other suspects were caught within a few hours, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities identified the 18-year-old suspect as Terrence Gentry of San Jose. The other suspects arrested were teens ages 16 and 17. All four were arrested on suspicion of burglary, unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle, possession of stolen vehicle and reckless evading.