Pursuit Ends In DUI Arrest, Recovery Of Stolen Gun, Police Say

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A Salinas man is facing seven charges related to a Sunday evening car and foot pursuit through Santa Cruz, plus two charges from other cities, police say.

The Santa Cruz Police Department said it first located a black Ford Mustang driven by Christopher Dicochea, 23, after someone called around 5:30 p.m. to report a reckless and possibly intoxicated driver near Seabright Avenue and Murray Street. An officer pulled the car over, got out of their car and the driver sped off, police say.

The officer followed Dicochea as he headed east on Broadway, but the pursuit was over quickly after Dicochea struck parked cars and a street sign at Riverside and Soquel avenues, police say.

Dicochea fled the scene toward San Lorenzo Park, to the east levee, leaving behind a passenger with a leg injury, police say. Officers found and detained Dicochea minutes later.

Police said they discovered he had a loaded, stolen 9mm handgun in the center console of his car, and faced a Salinas robbery warrant and Morgan Hill driving under the influence warrant.

His passenger was cooperative and released, but Dicochea was arrested on suspicion of nine charges related to DUI causing bodily injury, evading a peace officer, hit-and-run resulting in injury, carrying a loaded firearm in public, receiving stolen property and the two warrants. He remained in jail as of noon Monday.

Police ask that the public reach out if they see suspicious activity.