Police say Oakland driver was arrested after fleeing in two stolen vehicles

A driver was arrested on suspicion of crimes including fleeing authorities in two separate stolen vehicles in Oakland and possession of loaded firearms, authorities said.

Jose Antonio Valerio Jr., a 35-year-old Oakland resident, was booked into Santa Rita Jail on May 2, California Highway Patrol spokesman Adib Zeid said Saturday.

Violations included suspicion of auto theft, possession of loaded firearms and ammunition by a felon, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting and evading a peace officer while driving recklessly, Zeid said.

Valerio was driving a white Infiniti G37 with no license plates near San Leandro Street and Hegenberger Road when he fled from CHP officers who were attempting to conduct a stop, authorities said.

The CHP tracked him with the help of an Oakland Police Department helicopter.

Valerio drove to Howard Street and East Eighth Street and abandoned the first vehicle there before fleeing on foot to a homeless camp, police said.

Officers said that as they approached the area, Valerio fled again in a black and white Ford Crown Victoria equipped with retrofitted police lights. Officers “intercepted the vehicle” and arrested Valerio Jr., the CHP said.

Investigators said they determined both vehicles were stolen and that Valerio had a backpack with two loaded firearms, drugs and drug paraphernalia. Ammunition was also found in both cars, officials said.