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Visalia Police Arrest 2 After DUI Pursuit Ends in Crash Into Pole
ANTHONY SITE PHOTO
By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 4 days ago on
June 15, 2026

Visalia police arrested two men after a brief pursuit involving an altered license plate ended in a crash into a pole, followed by foot chases and multiple felony and warrant-related bookings. (Visalia PD)

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Visalia police arrested two people after a short pursuit ended when a vehicle crashed into a pole inside a carport, according to the Visalia Police Department.

At about 8 p.m. Sunday, an officer attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an altered license plate near Giddings Street and Myrtle Avenue. The driver failed to yield, and officers initiated a brief pursuit.

The chase ended in the 1400 block of South Central Street when the vehicle struck a pole. Both occupants exited and fled on foot and were taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.

The driver, Rinaldo Gastelum, 27, fought with officers before being arrested. Police said Gastelum was driving under the influence of alcohol.

The passenger, Juan Ibarra, 33, was also arrested and found to have an active warrant.

Gastelum was booked on charges including resisting or obstructing an officer, resisting an executive officer, felony evading police, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Ibarra was booked on resisting or obstructing an officer and on an active warrant for criminal threats, robbery, and domestic battery.

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Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.
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