A 21-year-old man was arrested by the Morgan Hill police Saturday after leading officers on a high-speed pursuit in a stolen car full of teenagers.
Police ran the vehicle's license plate after an officer observed erratic driving on Monterey Road near Watsonville Road. The car had been reported stolen, so the officer initiated a high-risk felony stop.
The driver, identified as William Ortiz, initially stopped, but fled while the officer was waiting for backup. He allegedly led police on a 3-mile pursuit on back roads around town before they were able to end the pursuit and take him into custody.
The vehicle was occupied by five minors, all of whom were between the ages of 13 and 15, according to police.
Ortiz was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, evading with reckless driving, 5 counts of felony child endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and resisting arrest.
Some of the juveniles were released to their parents. Others were booked into juvenile hall. No one was injured, however, according to police.
