Three Suspects Arrested Following Car Chase in Monterey County

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Apprehends Thieves Who Led Deputies on a High-Speed Pursuit

Monterey County, California – In a dramatic turn of events, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office successfully apprehended three suspects involved in a car chase that concluded on Highway 68 and Canyon Del Rey Boulevard on Monday afternoon.

Responding swiftly to a report of a vehicle theft incident in the Monterey Peninsula, deputies wasted no time in pursuing the culprits.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the victim dialed 911 to report the theft of their iPhones and wallets, which they had tracked to the Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel.

Brave enough to confront the three suspects at the scene, the victim’s courageous act forced the thieves to flee in a blue Chrysler mini van.

Quick-thinking and observant, the victim provided deputies with the license plate number, enabling them to locate the van on Laureles Grade Road.

Despite law enforcement’s attempts to stop the van, the driver, identified as 37-year-old Jonathan Conner from Salinas, adamantly refused to comply.

Undeterred by the suspect’s resistance, deputies continued the high-speed pursuit along Highway 68 towards Monterey.

The chase ultimately culminated in a collision between the van and a white truck, which had one occupant, on the intersection of Highway 68 and Canyon Del Rey Boulevard in Del Rey Oaks Boulevard.

Following the crash, the minivan sustained significant damage, rendering it immobile. Deputies promptly arrested Conner, as well as two other suspects identified as 34-year-old Amber Baluga and 65-year-old Terry Hunt, both from Salinas.

Medical personnel provided immediate assistance to two of the suspects at the scene, while the occupant of the white truck emerged unscathed.

Further investigation revealed that the blue Chrysler mini van matched the description of a vehicle involved in several other theft cases across Monterey County.

Conner, a repeat offender, now faces multiple charges, including evading a police officer, wrong-way driving, kidnapping, possession of burglary tools, and parole violation. He has been booked into the Monterey County Jail.

Baluga and Hunt, both charged with possession of stolen property and conspiracy, have also been booked into the Monterey County Jail.