Chase Through Beaumont, Banning Ends In 1 Arrest

BEAUMONT, CA — A New Mexico man is jailed Friday in Banning after he led authorities on a pursuit through parts of the Inland Empire, including Banning and Beaumont, according to the California Highway Patrol and sheriff's booking records.

Mark Gutierrez, 35, was arrested Thursday morning after the incident, which started around 8 a.m. in the San Bernardino area, according to the CHP.

A law enforcement officer attempted to pull Gutierrez over while he was driving a 2014 grey Ford Mustang — but rather than stopping, the motorist took off, the CHP tells Patch.

He then led authorities on a pursuit eastbound along Interstate 10 and southbound on SR-79 through Lamb's Canyon, the CHP said. Gutierrez then turned around, went back northbound on the 79 and turned onto First Street in Beaumont before heading all the way down First and into the Sun Lakes community. At some point during the chase, he struck another vehicle while splitting lanes.

He ultimately took some dirt roads near Sun Lakes and gave up the chase around Death Valley Road and Sunset Avenue in Banning, the CHP said. He was taken into custody at that point.

Gutierrez was arrested on suspicion of felony evading, misdemeanor hit and run, driving without a license and obstructing a peace officer, according to the CHP. He was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on $100,000 bail, records showed.