Broken tail light leads to late night car, foot chases in downtown Pasco

A Pasco police officer’s attempt to stop a car with a broken brake light led to two chases, recovery of a stolen gun and a man in jail.

The officer was stopped at a traffic signal on 10th Avenue at Sylvester Street shortly before 1 a.m. on Monday when he noticed the center brake light on the Toyota Avalon in front of him wasn’t working, court documents said.

When the officer turned on his emergency lights, the Avalon turned onto Sylvester Street to Eighth Avenue. After it turned, the Avalon began to speed away.

The officer estimated that the car reached 70 mph through the residential neighborhood where the speed limit is 25 mph. The Avalon ran three stop signs as it pulled away.

The officer stopped the chase as the car turned out of sight, court documents aid.

A few moments later, another officer spotted the car shortly after it crashed onto the curb at First Avenue and Lewis Street.

The officer saw the driver, Leonel Ramos, 24, run from the car, starting another chase through downtown Pasco. He was caught in an alley between Lewis Street and First Avenue.

As police traced his path, they discovered a Sig Sauer 9mm that they believe he threw under a box truck during the case. The pistol had been stolen from Spokane County.

Ramos has previous felony convictions for stealing a car and second-degree assault that make it illegal for him to have a gun, court documents said.

He was booked into the Franklin County jail on suspicion of attempting to elude police, having a stolen gun and illegally possessing a gun. He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.