This story has been corrected from an earlier version. The chase did not go through Pajaro Middle School.
A search for a wanted man with multiple outstanding warrants ended with his arrest after a chase that started in Pajaro and made its way into the Pajaro River Thursday.
Just before 1pm Watsonville Police responded to the Pajaro River levee after getting information that Sergio Rangel, 34, was in the area. Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies initially tried to stop Rangel, but he fled on a bike. WPD then chased him through Pajaro near the railroad tracks at the rail trestle at Walker Street.
At one point he bolted near the Pajaro Middle School campus and then back into the agricultural fields. With the aid of a canine, police chased Rangel back towards the Pajaro River levee, where he jumped into the river and attempted to swim back into Watsonville.
That’s where police stopped him at gunpoint and he was arrested.
Rangel was wanted for charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, evading officers, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, brandishing a weapon, drug possession and child endangerment.
He now faces additional charges for resisting arrest.
During the chase, Pajaro Middle, Watsonville High and Linscott Elementary schools were briefly placed on lockdown.
