A 33-year-old man charged with leading Santa Ana police on a chase in April was back before a judge again Friday, facing charges of doing it again.
Andrew Edward Deleon Jr. posted $50,000 bail May 4 on charges related to a police pursuit April 24 in Santa Ana. Police say he led them on another chase — this time at one point going the wrong way — on Wednesday.
Deleon, an apparent transient, was in a silver Jeep Cherokee that matched the description of a vehicle involved in a shooting in April, so police attempted to pull him over, but he kept going, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
The pursuit ended with a crash at Jackson and First streets, when the suspect drove through a “solid red” light, Bertagna said. Deleon tried to run away, but when he couldn’t get a door open at a nearby residence he gave up, Bertagna said.
For that case, Deleon was charged with a police pursuit, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle by a prohibited person, possession of drugs while armed with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon, all felonies.
He also faces sentencing enhancements for gang activity.
Deleon was accused of possession of methamphetamine and a semiautomatic handgun, according to court records.
Details of Wednesday’s chase were not immediately available, Bertagna said.
But for the Wednesday chase, Deleon is charged with leading police on a pursuit and going against traffic, a theft with a prior felony conviction for driving or taking of a vehicle, and buying or receiving a stolen vehicle or equipment with a felony conviction, all felonies. He was also charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest, hit and run with property damage and possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deleon has a lengthy criminal history, according to court records.
He is also facing misdemeanor drug possession charges following his arrest in April.
On May 31 of last year, he was sentenced to two years in prison for assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury with a sentencing enhancement for gang activity.
He pleaded guilty in January 2009 to drug dealing and possession and was sentenced to four years in prison, according to court records.
Deleon pleaded guilty to drug dealing in August 2007 and was sentenced to two years in prison, and he pleaded guilty to drug possession in February 2005 and was sentenced to 16 months behind bars, according to court records.
–City News Service