For Immediate Release:
Date: May 4, 2021
Prepared By/Contact Person: Darren Blevins, Chief of Police
On May 3, 2021 at approximately 7:03 PM, the Coalinga Police Department’s K9 unit observed a 2011 Toyota Camry in the area of Jayne and Merced and initiated a traffic stop for tinted windows. The Police Officer activated his emergency lights at which time the vehicle failed to stop.
The Camry sped up, travelling west bound on Polk Street, and turned onto S. Thompson Street. The vehicle then turned into the Hanes Trailer Park. Once inside the trailer park, the Camry made an abrupt stop, and a Hispanic male exited the vehicle and ran towards the creek bed with a gun in his hand.
Officer Mann, Officer Ybarra and his K9 partner Eli pursued the subject while Sergeant Diaz stayed with the vehicle, which had three other occupants inside. After a few minutes, Officer Ybarra along with his K9 partner Eli tracked the subject to a large tree area in the creek bed.
Officer Ybarra and Officer Mann advised the subject, later identified as Coalinga resident Oscar Contreras, to come out or K9 Eli would be sent in to apprehend him. After a few minutes, Oscar surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. During a search of the area, Officers located two firearms under leaves which were collected for evidence.
Once back at the Toyota, Officer Ybarra and K9 Eli conducted an outside search of the vehicle at which time K9 Eli alerted on the driver side of the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, Officers located over a pound of methamphetamine and a large amount of cash in the vehicle.
The subjects involved were identified as 22-year-old Juan Carlos Ruiz Jr., 21-year-old Oscar Contreras, 20-year-old Angel Sanchez and a 16-year-old juvenile, all of Coalinga.
All subjects were charged with Transportation for sale, Possession of narcotics with firearm, Evading police, obstruct officer, Concealed weapon in vehicle, and violation of probation.
