Tommy Kong, 23, of Turlock, faces several charges after leading Ceres police on a high-speed pursuit in a stolen vehicle on Aug. 20.

At 12:35 a.m. Ceres officer Jon Vera attempted to stop Kong in a white 1995 Honda in the area of Second and Magnolia streets.  Kong pulled over to the curb at Central Avenue and Magnolia Street but as Officer Vera walked toward the Honda Kong punched the accelerator and took off. Vera chased after the Honda and radioed in the license plate to learn it had been stolen on Aug. 17 from an owner residing in the 1800 block of Lake Court in Ceres.

The pursuit lasted four minutes and covered 3.1 miles before Kong lost control and crashed into an orchard tree at the corner of Faith Home and Roeding roads. Kong began to run away from Officer Vera and Officer Freddie Ortiz.  Vera twisted his ankle on the uneven ground and sustained an injury while Ortiz caught Kong approximately 200 yards into the foot pursuit.

Kong was arrested on charges of auto theft, evading a peace officer, possession of stolen property and resisting arrest. He also had a warrant issued by Turlock Police for the same charges.