Crime & Safety

Napa Man Arrested After Car Chase and Crash

One of three arrests Monday night by Napa Police.

 A 24-year-old Napa man was arrested Monday night after he fled police in a car that later crashed through a residential fence along Seminary Street in Napa.

Johnatan Jesus Baltazar (a.k.a Palacio) was taken into custody at about 8:40 p.m.in the vicinity of Jackson and Main streets in Napa on suspicion of hit and run with property damage, evading police with wanton disregard for public safety, probation violation and DUI.

The incident began at about 8:40 p.m., when officers saw a green Lincoln Town Car was approaching them driving south on Yajome Street.

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The vehicle was driving in the center of Yajome Street, partially in the northbound lane, police said.

The vehicle did not have its lights on. As the vehicle approached, officers looked into the driver`s window and looked at the driver. The driver, later identified as Johnatan Palacio, was on a cell phone.

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Officer pulled behind Palacio’s vehicle and activated their emergency light.

Palacio accelerated and began speeding away from the officers. Palacio approached Jackson Street and made a fast right turn at about 40 mph, police said.

Palacio approached the intersection of Jackson Street at Main Street and did not stop at the stop sign and made a fast left turn onto southbound Main Street.

Palacio was traveling about 30 mph through that left turn.  As a result of heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the officers terminated their pursuit. 

Palacio continued traveling at a high rate of speed south on Main Street.

Palacio made a fast right turn onto northbound Yount Street, at which time officer lost sight of Palacio.

Officers continued to look for the vehicle in the immediate area and located Palacio’s vehicle facing northeast on the east side walk of Seminary Street.

The front end of the vehicle was through a residential fence. The vehicle appeared to be unoccupied. (No one was injured).

Several residents on Seminary Street came outside and said the vehicle just crashed and driver fled the vehicle south on Seminary Street.

Officers checked the area and located Palacio walking south on Vallejo Street at Seminary Street.

Officers contacted Palacio and took him into custody.  Officers noticed that Palacio allegedly displayed signs of being intoxicated.

Palacio was evaluated by officers and it was determined that he was too impaired to operate a vehicle.

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A 33-year-old Napa-area transient  was arrested Monday on suspicion of drug paraphernalia possession and probation violation.

John William Amoroso was taken into custody at about 3 p.m. at 1290 Napa Town Center in Napa.

A bicycle officer contacted John Amoroso as Amoroso rode his bike through the Napa Town Center. The officer conducted a records check on Amoroso and learned he was on active probation with search and seizure term.

The bicycle officer searched Amoroso and allegedly located a suspected pipe used to smoke methamphetamine inside Amoroso’s backpack.

Amoroso was arrested and booked.

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 A 49-year-old Napa-area transient was arrested at about 7:30 p.m. Monday on suspicion of violating his bail release agreement and disorderly conduct using alcohol.

Robert Wayne Simpson was taken into custody in the vicinity of the 500 block of River Glen Drive in Napa.

Officers were dispatched to 551 River Glen Drive, Kentwood Apartments, for a report of a suspicious subject.

Officers were informed that a homeless subject that had climbed the northeast fence near the corner of the building and was speaking with 5-year-old children, telling them that he needed a place to live.

Officers arrived at this location and contacted Robert Simpson, who matched the description given by the reporting party.

Simpson was allegedly lying on the ground with several empty and full bottles of alcohol near him. Simpson appeared to be very intoxicated, police said.

Officers conducted a records check on Simpson and learned he was released from jail on an "Own Recognizance" agreement from the Napa courts with terms not to drink or possess alcoholic beverages and obey all laws.

Simpson was arrested and booked.

 



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