Car chase, crash nets 14 bales of pot; police seek joggers nearly hit

Two unidentified males, one Hispanic, one white, were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of transportation of marijuana, unlawful flight from police and possession of stolen property after a car chase, crash and foot chase near John Wayne Parkway and The Red Barn.

Maricopa police are “looking for two joggers who were almost struck by the vehicle in the area of Edison between Madison and Ancon to come forward so we can add charges to the driver of the vehicle,” said police spokesman Ricky Alvarado.

Police confiscated 14 bales of marijuana from the vehicle with an estimated weight of 317 pounds. A reported stolen handgun out of Mesa also was recovered. The vehicle was not reported as stolen and is registered out of Phoenix.

The driver and passenger were taken to Maricopa Medical Center for possible nonlife-threatening injuries.

Police used a stun gun on the white male as he fled from the vehicle and continued to run from officers into a neighborhood. The Hispanic male was later found hiding in a junkyard near the vehicle crash site.

Maricopa police spokesman Ricky Alvarado said, “We are unable to find a record of the individuals currently as they have no identification on them and the names that are being given are coming up with no record found.”

Charles Wergin, who works at the Law Office of Jack Pritt near the crash site, said he was sitting at his desk around 5:45 a.m. when he heard car wheels squealing. After going outside to see what was happening, he saw the suspect’s vehicle “barreling” down Casa Grande Highway and turn left on John Wayne Parkway.