Anaheim Police arrested 31-year-old Jesus Valdovinos, following a dangerous pursuit through Anaheim late at night on May 14. Valdovinos, a documented gang member on probation, fled from APD units in a stolen Nissan Altima from the area of Palm Lane and Guinida Avenue shortly before 9 pm that night.
Valdovinos had been involved in several crimes, including the theft of two vehicles, as well as two strong-arm robberies in Anaheim between May 12th and May 14th. The first crime occurred about 6:00 am Sunday morning when Valdovinos stole a Ford Expedition from a gas station parking lot in the 1200 blk. of S. Harbor Blvd. An employee left her car running in the parking lot and was injured when she tried to stop Valdovinos from stealing the car.
Just after 2 a.m. Monday morning, Valdovinos left the stolen Expedition in the parking lot of an Arco gas station in the 1000 blk. of W. Ball Rd before stealing the Nissan Altima, which had been left running at the gas pumps while the owner went inside the store.
About 12 hours later, APD officers tried to stop a Nissan Altima with paper license plates in the area of Lincoln Ave and State College Blvd. A pursuit ensued and the driver displayed wanton disregard for the safety of the public, including driving into oncoming traffic at high speeds. As a result, officers elected to stop pursuing the vehicle.
Around 1 p.m. on the afternoon of May 14, Valdovinos simulated a handgun to the clerk at a convenience store in the 100 blk. of W. Ball Rd. He then stole approximately $100 cash from the register. Around 7:00 pm, he committed a similar robbery at a gas station in the 2100 blk. of S. Harbor Blvd and stole approximately $400 cash.
Around 8:40 p.m., APD officers located the stolen Altima driving in the area of Palm Ln and Guinida Ave. They attempted to stop the car, but the driver fled, again driving at high speeds and committing several dangerous traffic violations. Based on the totality of the circumstances, officers continued the pursuit until they were able to use legal intervention and stop Valdovinos in the 100 blk. of N. Trevor St. Valdovinos was uncooperative and was taken into custody after a beanbag shotgun was deployed.
Valdovinos was booked at the Anaheim Detention Facility and is being held without bail for two counts of robbery, two counts of vehicle theft, assault with a deadly weapon, and felony evading.
