Stolen Fire Hydrant Found In Car Theft Suspect’s Vehicle After Chase That Caused Bystander Injuries

A driver was arrested in California on Saturday after leading police on a brief chase that injured bystanders, and a stolen public fire hydrant was found in the vehicle.

The Port Hueneme Police Department said an officer attempted to stop a black Cadillac Escalade for a traffic violation at around 10:26 a.m. Saturday in Port Hueneme, on the coast about halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The vehicle fled.

During the course of the approximately four-minute pursuit, the Escalade collided with an uninvolved vehicle, resulting in “minor injuries,” but police did not specify how many people in the uninvolved vehicle were injured.

The Escalade ultimately stopped on the 3400 block of Kern Street. The driver, identified as 33-year-old Juan Contreras, attempted to flee the vehicle, and allegedly resisted officers, who used a Taser to apprehend him. Officers learned Contreras had an outstanding no bail felony warrant for violation of probation for auto theft.

Two other occupants of the vehicle, a man and a woman, also fled, and were not located, police said. Inside the vehicle, police found a stolen public fire hydrant.

Contreras was booked for felony vehicle evading, felony hit and run, and possession of stolen property along with his existing warrant, and was transported to the Ventura County Main Jail.

Police said the investigation into the possession of the stolen fire hydrant is ongoing.

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward or submit an anonymous tip.