Explosives Found, Turlock Pursuit Suspect Arrested

TURLOCK – A 23 year old man was arrested after leading authorities on two pursuits, and the discovery of explosive devices.

Police say they were called May 5th to a gas station on the 100 block of North Tully Road for a report of a man who was asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle in the parking lot. Arriving officers suspected the man to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Authorities said the vehicle’s windows were heavily tinted, but the man could be seen awake and moving inside.

Officers asked the man to open the door, but he refused. They opened his vehicle door and asked him to get out, but he still ignored their orders.

The driver, later identified as 23 year old Jonathan Alan Lewis, then drove the vehicle in reverse, striking an officer. That officer was able to move away and escape injury.

Lewis fled the parking lot and sped north on Highway 99, leading officers on a pursuit. The pursuit was terminated for safety concerns near the area of Fulkerth Road and Golden State Boulevard. Officers later found the vehicle in Keyes, at which time Lewis fled again, striking a parked police motorcycle and almost hitting another officer.

Authorities later located the vehicle abandoned in Ceres. The vehicle was seized as evidence and towed to the Turlock Public Safety Facility where it would be stored until a search warrant was issued.

Police were able to perform a search of the vehicle for evidence on May 11th after obtaining a search warrant. During a search, an improvised explosive device was found inside the car. The discovery of the explosive device led to an evacuation of the Public Safety Facility and a request for assistance from the Stanislaus County Sheriff Bomb Squad. The bomb squad was able to safely remove the device and analyze it, confirming it to be an explosive.

Lewis was arrested in Solano County after leading authorities there on another pursuit. Turlock Police Detectives and investigators, the Stanislaus Sheriff Bomb Squad, and ATF agents served a warrant at his apartment Friday night on the 900 block of Pedras Road. Additional evidence was collected and seized by police.

Lewis faces charges of aggravated assault, hit and run, evading an officer, resisting arrest, and possession of a destructive device. He also faces charges for crimes committed in Solano County.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Officer Richard Fortado at (209) 664-7399 or the Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780.