A 19-year-old individual was apprehended in Bakersfield shortly after reportedly evading police officers from Shafter, Wasco, and McFarland in a car chase while having a child in the vehicle.
On August 19, 2024, at approximately 9:20 p.m., officers from the Shafter Police Department engaged in a vehicle pursuit that spanned across Shafter and Wasco, ultimately ending on Famoso Road, east of Highway 99.
Authorities stated that officers from the Wasco and McFarland Police Departments provided assistance during the pursuit and subsequent search for the alleged suspect.
Police have reported that during the pursuit, 19-year-old Xander Cortez fled from officers at speeds exceeding 100 mph, with a child in the vehicle.
According to police, officers from the Shafter Police Department conducted surveillance in Bakersfield to locate Cortez after a judge approved a felony arrest warrant.
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On August 22, 2024, at approximately 5:10 p.m., police officers spotted Cortez walking in the 700 block of East 21st Street and attempted to apprehend him.
According to Shafter Police, Cortez attempted to flee from officers but was swiftly apprehended and charged with multiple serious offenses, including felony evading, felony child endangerment, resisting arrest, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.
Cortez was taken into custody and brought to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Justice Receiving Facility.
