Police locate man hiding in a dumpster after fleeing from officers

Merced Police officer Fister contacted 33-year-old (S) Rafael Herrera Jr in the area of San Augustine and Cassis Drive in the City of Merced.

Officer Fister was familiar with Herrera and knew him to be on probation. Officer Fister initiated a traffic stop and contacted a cooperative Herrera. When asked to exit the vehicle for a probation search, Herrera became uncooperative.

Herrera refused to exit and immediately lowered his right hand to his right hip out of sight. Officer Fister drew his service weapon ordering Herrera to slowly put his hand on the wheel. Herrera refused and maintained his hand position at his hip.

A female passenger grabbed Herrera’s hand pleading with him not to do what he was doing and show his hands. After several seconds, Herrera raised his hand to the wheel, put the vehicle in drive and fled.

Officer Fister pursued on surface streets and onto the bike path where he lost sight of Herrera.

Herrera was shortly after located in Atwater where the Merced County Sheriff’s Office pursued him again back into Merced on Southbound Highway 99 exited on the 16th street off-ramp were Herrera ran out of fuel at Willowbrook and Stoneybrook Drive and fled on foot.

Herrera was apprehended a short time later hiding in a dumpster. A loaded, stolen firearm was later located in the area where Officer Fister lost sight of Herrera. Herrera was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer J. Fister at 209-388-6912 or by email at FisterJa@cityofmerced.org.

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