Date: 01/19/2024
Location: Taqueria Jalos, 1130 South State Street, Ukiah
Suspect #1: Juan Sanchez Montiel
32-Year-Old Ukiah male
Charges: 10851(a) CVC-Theft of Vehicle (Felony)
2800(a) CVC-Failure to Yield to Peace Officer (Misdemeanor)
148(a)(1) PC-Resist/Delay Peace Officer (Misdemeanor)

On 01/19/2024, at approximately 9:45 am, Ukiah Police Department (UPD) responded to the report of a vehicle 
that had just been stolen from the parking lot of Taqueria Jalos at 1130 South State Street. The vehicle was a 
Red, 2006 Honda Civic. As the UPD officer was taking the report, we learned the California Highway Patrol
(CHP) was involved in a vehicle pursuit with this stolen vehicle southbound on Highway 101 in the Hopland, 
CA area. The pursuit reached speeds in excess of 100 MPH and the suspect was driving erratically by crossing 
over double yellow lines into oncoming traffic. The pursuit was terminated by CHP for public safety reasons. 

At approximately 1:36 pm, UPD received an alert from the FLOCK license plate reading camera system. The 
alert was for the Red, stolen Honda Civic as it was traveling southbound in the area of North State Street at 
Garrett Drive. UPD Officers immediately responded to the area and located the stolen Honda Civic at the 
intersection of State Street and Perkins Street. 

UPD Officers positioned themselves behind the stolen vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The suspect, later 
identified as 32-year-old Juan Sanchez Montiel, failed to stop for officers and continued southbound on South 
State Street at a slow rate of speed. Montiel continued southbound on South State Street until he arrived at 
Taqueria Jalos and pulled into the parking lot. He drove to the back of the parking lot and stopped his vehicle in 
front of a garbage dumpster.

UPD Officers ordered Montiel out of the vehicle, but he refused to comply. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office 
personnel arrived on scene to assist with a K-9. UPD Officers also used a Spanish speaking Deputy with the 
MCSO to communicate with Montiel, as well as a representative of mental health to try to de-escalate the 
situation for a peaceful resolution. After approximately 20 minutes of communicating with Montiel, he 
voluntarily exited the vehicle and surrendered to officers. 

Montiel was interviewed and later booked at the Mendocino County Jail for violations of 10851(a) CVC, 
2800(a) CVC and 148(a)(1) PC. The stolen vehicle was returned to the registered owner. 
 

The attached picture is an actual picture of the Ukiah PD FLOCK license plate reading camera. It shows the 
Red, stolen Honda traveling southbound and a UPD Patrol vehicle traveling northbound at the intersection of 
State Street and Perkins Street. 

UPD would like to thank the Mendocino County Sherriff’s Office and the Mendocino County Mental Health
personnel for their assistance. As always, UPD’s mission is to make Ukiah as safe as possible. If you would like 
to know more about crime in your neighborhood, you can sign up for telephone, cellphone, and email 
notifications by clicking the Nixle button on our website; www.ukiahpolice.com.

Download: 24-0116.pdf