After a high-speed chase, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers arrested 20-year-old Oscar Duarte.

Duarte, who reached speeds up to 120 mph during the 15-minute pursuit, was booked into Fresno County Jail on charges of evading police and reckless driving. The Fresno man was released with a future court date scheduled, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

The incident began around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, when a deputy attempted to stop a red Mercedes Benz speeding on Highway 41 near Jensen Avenue.

Related Story: Feds Bust Mexican Cartel That Smuggled Drugs to Valley in Veggie Boxes, Gas ...

The driver, identified as Duarte, refused to pull over, leading to a chase. After two minutes, the deputy discontinued the pursuit, and the CHP’s airplane, AIR 43, took over, tracking Duarte from the sky and updating ground patrols on his movements, authorities said.

Duarte ran red lights, passed vehicles on the shoulder, and drove through medians, maintaining speeds between 90 and 100 mph.

The chase concluded at about 8:45 p.m. when Duarte exited Highway 99 at Belmont Avenue, where CHP units and deputies surrounded the Mercedes and arrested him without incident. Duarte later admitted to imitating reckless driving videos he had seen online, thinking it would be fun. No vehicles were hit during the chase.

Related Story: Madera Pharmacist Pleads Guilty in Long-Running Opiate Trafficking Scheme

Have a Tip?

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, or visit www.valleycrimestoppers.org. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case No. 24-6592.