Suspect in stolen Fresno FAX truck chase named by deputies

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The suspect accused of leading deputies on a cross-county pursuit in a stolen Fresno FAX truck is also accused of attempting to strike a deputy with the vehicle.

On Thursday, deputies named the suspect in the incident, which took place Wednesday evening. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office says Rafael Ortiz Jr., 42, of Fresno, was the suspect involved in Wednesday’s pursuit that began in Fresno County and ended in Madera County.

Deputies say they responded to assist the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday with a pursuit of a stolen FAX truck entering Madera County.

According to the sheriff’s office, the vehicle was dragging a metal object, igniting road fires along the way. The driver was also reportedly driving at high speeds.

The suspect was found going westbound on Highway 145.

As part of the update on Thursday, the sheriff’s office reports that Ortiz Jr. allegedly attempted to strike a deputy during the pursuit with the vehicle and then collided with a patrol car.

The pursuit came to an end in the area of Arizona Avenue and Harper Boulevard outside Madera when the vehicle tried to go through a fence.

Deputies say they took Ortiz Jr. into custody without further incident; he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless evading and other charges.