3 arrested after Coalinga high-speed chase
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Three people in a Toyota Solara from the Bay Area were arrested on multiple charges after a Rite-Aide theft that led to a high-speed chase and subsequent crash, according to the Coalinga Police Department.
Police say on Sunday around 11:30 a.m., officers were called to the Rite-Aid in Coalinga regarding a theft that had just occurred.
Officers say two men entered the store wearing ski masks, walked behind the front counter, and began stealing various alcohol and nicotine products without saying anything.
The total estimated value of the stolen property was over $2,000. The two suspects then fled the store and got into a blue Toyota Solara, then fled.
According to police, they located the Solara parked at the gas pumps at the Valero Gas Station located on Sommerville Lane. The officer spotted the two suspects who matched the description of the suspects from the theft at Rite-Aid walking from the vehicle and approaching the front door of the Valero.
Police say both suspects were wearing ski masks which led the officer to suspect that they were about to commit a robbery or a theft at the Valero.
The officer said they activated their emergency lights, got out of his patrol vehicle, and confronted both suspects at gunpoint. The officer ordered the suspects to put their hands up and surrender, however, both suspects ignored the officer’s commands and retreated to the Solara.
The suspects pulled away from the fuel pump of the Valero while the pump was still being used by them, damaging the fuel pump, and got onto I-5, heading southbound.
The officer, who was still alone at the time, initiated a vehicle pursuit and began to pursue the suspects. The suspects fled and reached speeds of more than 120 miles per hour.
Police say the suspects weaved in and out of traffic and ran other vehicles off the roadway and onto the shoulder. The suspects, at times, even split the two southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in a continued effort to escape.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Kings County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol were requested and began to dispatch units to assist.
The officer pursued the suspects for approximately eight miles until the suspect vehicle lost control and rolled over several times, coming to rest in the northbound median of I-5. The two suspects, and an additional woman, were thrown from the vehicle upon crashing.
All three were taken into custody when assisting officers arrived.
Investigators say stolen property from the Rite-Aid was recovered from the vehicle and the scene. Officers were later informed that the suspects and the vehicle were involved in another theft at a Rite-Aid in the City of Lemoore, where approximately $1,000.00 worth of goods were stolen.
Police say all three suspects were from the Bay Area.
Police say the driver, identified as Armani Tyree Smith, of San Francisco. Armani has an extensive criminal history with firearm-related charges, robbery, carjacking, burglary, and theft.
Armani is currently on San Francisco County felony probation for carrying a loaded firearm in public and assault with a deadly weapon, as well as Alameda County felony probation for possession of stolen property.
Police identified the second suspect as Harold Joseph Armstrong III, who is from San Pablo.
According to police Harold has an extensive criminal history which includes charges of robbery, theft, stolen vehicles, carjacking, firearms possession, assault with a firearm, and discharge of a firearm. Harold was recently arrested in San Pablo in October 2023 for assault with a firearm on a person.
The woman was identified by police as Jordan Heaven Harris, who is from Oakland.
Police say Jordan has a criminal history which includes charges of robbery, battery, and theft.
Harold suffered major injuries to his hand during the collision and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The other two suspects were medically cleared and were later transported and booked into the Fresno County Jail.
All three suspects are being charged with multiple felony theft charges including, attempted robbery and felony evading.
