Marijuana Haul Bust: High-Speed Chase Ends With 17-Year-Old in Custody
A massive marijuana haul and a wrong turn down a dead-end street brought a dramatic high-speed chase to an abrupt end early Sunday morning. According to Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies, the chase began in Salinas and concluded in Gilroy, where officers discovered a Tesla packed with large bags of marijuana allegedly stolen from a licensed cannabis operation.
High-Speed Chase Ends in Gilroy Dead-End
Deputies say the chaotic pursuit unfolded after suspected cannabis thieves fled law enforcement in a stolen Tesla filled with bulk-sized bags of marijuana. The suspects reportedly made a wrong turn down a dead-end street in Gilroy, abandoning the vehicle in an attempt to escape on foot.
Inside the Tesla, authorities found a significant marijuana haul, though the exact weight and street value have not yet been released.
Cannabis Theft Reported at Potter Road Operation
The chase originated after a security guard at a cannabis facility on Potter Road, south of Salinas, reported three to four individuals loading marijuana into the Tesla and possibly a silver or grey Honda. How the suspects gained access to the cannabis operation remains under investigation.
Deputies are reviewing how the suspects breached the property, with one official stating, “How’d these guys get in? I don’t know — that’s what we’re going to be looking into.”
Teen Arrested, Others on the Run
At the Gilroy scene, law enforcement arrested a 17-year-old suspect, who may help provide key details about the burglary and the getaway attempt. However, two other suspects fled on foot and remain at large.
Back in Monterey County, the suspected Honda getaway vehicle was later discovered ditched along Highway 101 at Gould Street, south of Salinas. Investigators believe the Honda may also have been stolen.
Suspects Believed to Be From Out of the Area
Authorities say the individuals involved are likely not local, suggesting a coordinated burglary by out-of-area suspects targeting cannabis businesses. With both vehicles recovered and one suspect in custody, investigators are now working to determine the full scope of the theft, the value of the marijuana haul, and whether the group is connected to any other regional cannabis burglaries.
The case remains active, with officers conducting follow-up interviews, reviewing surveillance footage, and working to identify and locate the remaining suspects.
