Location: Road 144 and Avenue 32

Incident Date: 4-27-16

Incident Time: 0057 hours

Case Number: 16-05302

Victim: State of California

City: Earlimart

Posted by: Dispatch

On 04/27/2016 at 0057 hours, Deputies from the Pixley Substation noticed a black Honda Accord traveling at a high rate of speed near the intersection of Church and Armstrong streets in Earlimart.

Deputies attempted to execute a traffic stop on the vehicle but it did not stop and instead got onto southbound Highway 99.  The driver failed to yield resulting in a pursuit, which reached speeds in excess of 100 mph.    

During the chase, the driver exited the freeway at County Line Road and then traveled southbound on Road 144.  At one point, the driver tried to create a cloud of dust by driving on the dirt shoulder.  The driver lost control of the vehicle, which struck a short metal post at the base of a grape vineyard resulting in moderate damage to his vehicle.

The suspect then fled on foot and a perimeter was established with help from Officers of the Delano Police Department.  A K-9 was utilized in the search and the suspect was apprehended a short time later. 

The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Jose Valdez of Earlimart. 

Valdez was found to have three active warrants for his arrest. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of contraband including a methamphetamine glass pipe and approximately 32.5 grams of Marijuana.  He was taken into custody, medically cleared at a local hospital and later booked into custody at the Porterville Substation.

The case remains under investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-808-0488 or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at 559-725-4194.