Busted by His Own Britches: While Fleeing Cops, Man's Pants Bring Him Down

A man is facing drug and vehicle theft charges stemming from a police pursuit in Marin County-- after his pants apparently led to his downfall.

It all started Saturday night, when California Highway Patrol officers were patrolling on northbound U.S. Highway 101 near the Central San Rafael exit, and spotted a Ford F-250 swerving in and out of lanes, according to Officer Andrew Barclay.

The officers attempted to stop the vehicle as it exited at Lucas Valley Road, but the driver accelerated through an intersection and fled east according to Barclay. The officers pursued the vehicle on to Mt. Lassen Drive, but turned off their lights and sirens after determining that the pursuit was too risky.

A short time later, however, they saw the suspect turn on to Mt. Sustina Court, which had no exit, and were able to block his vehicle in, according to Barclay.

That’s when the truck’s driver and passenger fled on foot.

While the passenger was quickly detained by a Marin County Sheriff’s deputy, the driver kept running away— throwing what was later determined to be meth into nearby yards, the CHP said. He was eventually ordered out at gunpoint after attempting to hide, and once more attempted to flee.

“The suspect again took foot bail from the officer however, while doing so, failed to ensure that his pants were properly secured,” Barclay said. “The problematic wardrobe malfunction made it difficult for the fleeing suspect to run and the pursuing officer was able to catch up and take him into custody.”

San Jose resident Alexander Armenta, 33, was found to be driving on a suspended license in a vehicle reported stolen out of Vallejo, according to Barclay. He also had a felony no bail warrant out of Santa Clara County, and a search of the area and his vehicle located drugs including methamphetamines, marijuana and Xanax pills, the CHP said.

Armenta was arrested on suspicion of felony evading a police officer in a reckless manner, felony grand theft auto, misdemeanor driving on a license suspended due to a DUI, delaying or obstructing a peace officer, felony possession of stolen property, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of methamphetamine.

His passenger, 27-year-old Fresno resident Regenald Lewis, was found to be carrying drugs on his person, according to the CHP. He was arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto, possession of stolen property, felony bringing a controlled substance into a jail facility and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.