Man arrested after 100 mph ‘joyride’ in Fresno, officials say | YourCentralValley.com

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 20-year-old man was arrested after participating in a “joy ride” that saw him speed up to 120 mph in Fresno, but was later released, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sheriff’s officials said that on June 8 at approximately 8:30 p.m., a deputy attempted to stop a red Mercedes Benz traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of ​​Highway 41 and Jensen Avenue in Fresno.

Officers say the driver, later identified as 20-year-old Oscar Duarte of Fresno, refused to stop and sped away, making several dangerous lane changes. After about two minutes, the officer called off the pursuit and California Highway Patrol aircraft, AIR 43, took over the pursuit and followed the suspect.

The flight crew continually relayed the vehicle’s movements and locations to ground patrols. Sheriff’s officials say Duarte ran red lights and passed vehicles on the shoulder and median to avoid being caught. He drove several routes at speeds between 90 and 100 mph before finally exiting Belmont Avenue from Freeway 99 at around 8:45 p.m., where officers and CHP units surrounded the Mercedes and ordered the driver to exit the vehicle.

Officers say the driver complied with police orders and was taken into custody. Duarte later told officers he didn’t stop because he saw other drivers behaving similarly in videos online and thought it would be funny to do the same.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says he did not strike any other vehicles on the road. Duarte has since been released from custody and has been assigned another court date.