Couple with 4 Young Children Lead Deputies on Chase through San Juan

A couple driving with four young children led Orange County Sheriff’s deputies on a chase through San Juan Capistrano neighborhoods Thursday night before being captured and arrested.

At  11:21 p.m., deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle near the intersection of Antonio Road and Ortega Highway, said Lt. John Meyer, chief of police for San Juan Capistrano.

The driver, later identified as Deborah Guerreo-Gomez, 22, of San Juan Capistrano, refused to stop and instead led deputies on a chase through a residential neighborhood. Meyer said besides an adult man, there were four children all under the age of 7 in the vehicle.

The car eventually stopped at Calle Arroyo near Avenida Siega, but one of the occupants, a man, fled on foot through upper , Meyer said.

Deputies were able to catch up to him and take him into custody. Christian Mendez, 22, of San Juan Capistrano, was arrested on suspicion of drug charges and having an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Deputies also arrested the driver on the suspicion of evading law enforcement and child endangerment.

None of the children were injured in the incident, Meyer said.