WEB EXCLUSIVE: Man arrested for evading, woman tried to jump from car

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Javier Rios

Javier Rios

Reynaldo Hernandez

Reynaldo Hernandez

The arrest of two men in San Benito early Monday morning came after a motorist tried to outrun police in his car, all while a female passenger allegedly attempted to jump from the moving vehicle.

At approximately 2:19 a.m. on Monday, March 11, San Benito Police Department officers responded to a report of a fight in progress at the 800 block of Franklin Street. There, an officer witnessed a white Chevrolet HHR speed away.

“There was a fight, and when officers were arriving this particular vehicle was leaving the scene,” said SBPD Detective Rogelio Banda Jr. “People advised the officers that one of the participants in the alleged fight was in the vehicle. The officers caught up to the vehicle and there was a brief pursuit downtown.”

Officers pursued the automobile as it traveled on South Frontage. Police also observed the back passenger door open and a woman hanging out. According to Banda, the woman had been trying to get out of the vehicle while it was still moving before changing her mind and closing the door.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop at the front driveway of a residence on the 200 block of East Robertson, upon which a male driver wearing a dark hoodie and dark pants quickly exited the vehicle. Banda said the driver of the vehicle was identified by officers as 20-year-old Javier Rios, who, according to police, has had previous run-ins with the department.

“A male and a female exited the vehicle,” said Banda. “The male ran into the house, and when officers tried to go in they were stopped by the owner even though they were in pursuit.”

The man accused of blocking the officers’ entry into the residence was identified as 43-year-old Reynaldo Hernandez. It remained unclear as of presstime whether Hernandez and Rios are connected in any way.

Officers then noticed an open window on the west side of the residence and an open door to an abandoned house about 15 yards away.

Inside the abandoned house, officers located Rios lying face down on a bed. When officers called to him, he allegedly pretended to be asleep, Banda said. When he was placed under arrest, Banda said Rios allegedly became belligerent toward the officers.

Authorities also indicated that Rios had several warrants for his arrest at that time due to over $4,000 in outstanding traffic fines. He was charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle, two counts of evading arrest on foot and resisting arrest. Hernandez was placed under arrest as well for hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Both men were arraigned by Judge Benjamin Yudesis, and a bond was set for Rios at $45,000 and for Hernandez at $10,000. Both men are currently incarcerated at Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito.

Read this story in the March 17 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/03/13/web-exclusive-man-arrested-for-evading-woman-tried-to-jump-from-car/

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