Kings County, CA – A pursuit involving a stolen truck ended in a crash and arrest Wednesday evening, prompting the recovery of approximately $410,000 in stolen agricultural equipment.
According to the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 4:17 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, to the area of Niles Avenue and 5½ Avenue regarding the theft of a truck and trailer. About an hour later, deputies located the stolen vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.
Authorities said the driver, later identified as Luciano Navarro, allegedly failed to yield, initiating a pursuit that continued along canal banks and dirt roads. Detectives with the Rural Crimes Unit and patrol deputies coordinated with the Sheriff’s Air Support Unit to maintain visual contact while setting a perimeter to prevent the vehicle from entering paved roadways.
The pursuit lasted approximately one hour before the vehicle crashed into an embankment. Investigators said the suspect then entered a canal, where he was taken into custody.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Navarro was allegedly under investigation for equipment thefts over the past two months in unincorporated areas of Kings County.
Deputies recovered two vehicles, a trailer, two skid steers, two backhoes and two loaders. The equipment was returned to its owners.
The Rural Crimes Unit credited partnerships with the Corcoran Police Department and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in the investigation.
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