by VISALIA, CA — Two teenagers were taken into custody early Monday after crashing a stolen car through a fence at a CAL FIRE station in Visalia, following a high-speed police chase, according to the Visalia Police Department.
The incident began shortly after 2:30 a.m. when an officer noticed a vehicle driving without headlights near Tulare Avenue and Watson Street. When the officer tried to pull the car over, the driver refused to stop, kicking off a dangerous pursuit through nearby neighborhoods.
During the chase, the suspect vehicle entered a cul-de-sac and sped directly toward a patrol car, forcing the officer to swerve to avoid a crash.
The pursuit came to a dramatic end when the car plowed through a chain-link fence at the CAL FIRE station at Lovers Lane and Walnut Avenue. Both the 17-year-old driver and a 14-year-old passenger ran from the scene but were quickly caught by officers in the area.
Police say the teens were taken to a local hospital for medical checks before being booked into juvenile hall.
The 17-year-old is facing a long list of felony charges, including evading police, assault with a deadly weapon, vehicle theft, conspiracy, resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools, and possession of a controlled substance.
The 14-year-old passenger was also arrested and charged with vehicle theft, conspiracy, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed weapon, and drug possession.
No injuries were reported in the incident, and police have not yet shared details about where the vehicle was originally stolen from.
