People v. LaRoche CA3

I. BACKGROUND

Shortly after midnight on June 12, 2024, law enforcement officers responded to a report of “unwanted subjects” in a residence. At the residence, the officers saw a red sports utility vehicle (SUV) being driven slowly past them, away from the residence.

1 One of the officers asked the driver (later identified as defendant) to stop. Defendant did not stop; he sped away and the officers pursued him. During the chase that followed, defendant drove at speeds up to 75 miles per hour; he ran at least one red light and one stop sign. During the chase, defendant also turned off his headlights. The chase lasted two or three minutes and ended when the officers lost sight of defendant’s SUV. Defendant was arrested several days later. The People charged him with recklessly evading a peace officer (Veh. Code, § 2800.2, subd. (a)) and alleged numerous aggravating circumstances including that defendant’s prior convictions were numerous or increasing in seriousness (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 4.421(b)(2)). Defendant pled not guilty and proceeded to a jury trial. During trial, the People advised the trial court that, with regard to the alleged aggravating circumstances, they would…