Local law enforcement is reeling after three separate vehicle chases broke out in the Santa Rosa Rancheria area within the past week.

These late-evening and early-morning incidents are the latest in a string of high-speed pursuits that have originated in the Kings County reservation.

At least four incidents have been recorded by The Sentinel between January and May of this year, while officials say the total tally is much higher.

The Kings County Sheriff's Office is searching for Walter Jeff and Cesar Valdivia, two men who have alluded capture within the last week.

Jeff, a wanted parolee, was seen driving at 1:21 a.m. on Saturday in the area of 14th and Iona avenues.

A deputy pursued Jeff, who was positively identified by law enforcement, as he fled into the Rancheria area at high speed.

Sgt. Mark Bradford said that because of Jeff's reckless driving, the deputy tried to pin his truck against a vehicle. However, the man was still able to escape by driving straight over the front end of the patrol car.

Jeff eventually fled on foot in the Mussel Slough area, according to Bradford.

The two other chases reported near the Rancheria involved a different suspect, according to deputies.

Valdivia, 19, is wanted on suspicion of felony evasion in a vehicle and driving with a suspended driver's license.

On July 12, a white Chevrolet pickup with Keller Motors paper license plates raced through a stop sign south of Lemoore. A California Highway Patrol vehicle saw the truck and chased it, according to CHP spokesman Jerry Pierce, but was unable to catch up with it in time.

A description of the vehicle was distributed to local law enforcement.

The truck turned up again on Friday morning just before 1:30 a.m. Deputies spotted a vehicle that matched the description leaving the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

The truck failed to stop for the deputies and led them on a 20-minute car chase throughout the Rancheria area.

CHP officers deployed spike strips on the road to stop the truck, deflating three of its tires.

The driver continued on to a residence on Yocut Court despite the damage to the vehicle.

He then took off on foot, jumped a fence and disappeared into the area of Jeff Court, the news release said.

Deputies tried to chase after the man with a canine unit, but they were "hampered" by a large Mastiff loose in the yard the man fled through. The news release said the dog had to be shot with a stun gun to keep it from attacking the canine and its handler.

The Sheriff's Office towed and impounded the pickup truck after the pursuit.

A man later identified as the brother of Cesar Valdivia called the Sheriff's Office hours later and reported the vehicle stolen.

"Evidence obtained by KCSO clearly indicated this was a false report and Valdivia was indeed the driver of his vehicle when it was being pursued by KCSO deputies," the news release said.

Valdivia is wanted for his alleged part in these two incidents.

Anyone with information regarding Valdivia's or Jeff's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Kings County Sheriff's Office at 582-3211, ext. 2720.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(July 17, 2009)