A man with five outstanding warrants was arrested Friday night after leading Visalia police on a brief pursuit, crashing into a construction zone and discarding loaded guns and drugs as he ran from officers, authorities said.

Police said an officer attempted to stop a vehicle around 8:45 p.m. near Court Street and Shannon Parkway for expired registration when the driver, identified as Refugio Ortega, 36, failed to yield.

The vehicle continued for about two blocks before entering a closed construction area and crashing into a small ditch near Shannon Parkway and Santa Fe.

According to police, Ortega ran from the scene and threw away two loaded firearms and methamphetamine before officers caught him a short distance away.

He was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and had five outstanding warrants. Officers also located a large quantity of marijuana inside the vehicle.

Two 36-year-old women who were passengers in the car suffered minor injuries and received medical treatment, police said.

After being medically cleared, Ortega will be booked on numerous charges, including possession of burglary tools, felon in possession of a firearm, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, resisting arrest, providing false identification, DUI causing injury, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of a firearm with altered serial numbers, hit-and-run causing injury and failing to yield to an officer.

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