Pair held after police pursuit

Two Porterville men, Reynaldo Rodriguez, 27, and Cesar Mancera, 37, were arrested on a variety of charges early Tuesday morning following a short police chase on Highway 65.

Porterville police said officers were responding at just after 3 a.m. to the 500 block of North 4th Street regarding a possible prowler. As the officers were en route, they were advised that the suspects had fled in a vehicle.  

A short time later, an officer spotted a similar vehicle and attempted a traffic stop; however, the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit began. At one point the vehicle attempted to cross Highway 65 at Pioneer Avenue, however became disabled after colliding with the center median. Both the driver and passenger fled on foot but were apprehended a short time later.  

The driver was identified as Rodriguez. Police said he was in possession of methamphetamine and also had two felony warrants for his arrest. Mancera was on felony probation with specific terms not to associate with Rodriguez. 

Neither suspect was injured and both suspects were later booked into the Tulare County Jail on charges ranging from evading a peace officer, transporting methamphetamine, violation of probation, resisting arrest and felony warrants.