Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two teenagers who led a patrol unit on a chase.

The two young men, ages 17 and 16, claim to be gang members.  Both have been booked into the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Center.

Last Friday afternoon, a deputy sheriff attempted to make a traffic stop on a black Chevy pickup in the area of Golden State and Jensen Ave. in Fresno.  Once the deputy got out of his car and began walking toward the pickup, the driver sped off. The deputy returned to his car and radioed dispatch to notify them he was involved in a pursuit.  The suspect lost control and hit a pole a short distance away on Calwa St. near Cedar Ave.  The deputy got out and held the two young men at gunpoint until additional deputies arrived on scene.  Deputies ordered the driver and passenger out of the pickup and took them into custody.  A search of the vehicle revealed a stolen Ruger handgun.  Dispatchers were able to track and locate the registered owner of the gun, which allowed deputies to return it to the proper person.  

The 17-year old driver is facing charges of:  Carrying a concealed firearm, evading police and driving without a valid license.

The 16-year old passenger is facing several charges tied to carrying a concealed firearm.  He was also on active misdemeanor probation at the time of his arrest.  Both suspects were booked with gang enhancement charges, which could increase their punishments.

Anyone with information on a crime is asked to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).