‘Date night’ turns into jail night for Fresno couple

A couple out on a “date night” were arrested early Saturday morning in southwest Fresno on probation- and gun-related charges, police said. Officers were alerted to the pair because they were involved in a high-speed chase.

Sgt. Chris Desmond said Ricky Darrough, 26, and his girlfriend Taralynn Hodaeiaynard were spotted being chased down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard just after midnight. Officers caught up to the couple’s car after Darrough pulled into an apartment complex to hide. The other car sped away into a neighborhood, where it was found abandoned.

Darrough told officers that he and Hodaeiaynard were headed home from “date night” and thought people in the other car wanted to harm them. Darrough was found to be unlicensed and on felony probation. Officers noticed that Hodaeiaynard became very nervous after Darrough was removed from the car. When she got out, she left a small pistol on the seat. Darrough admitted to knowing about the gun and said it belonged to Hodaeiaynard. She initially said it was hers, then declined to make any more statements.

Darrough was booked into Fresno County Jail for violating his probation. Desmond said Hodaeiaynard was booked for violations related to the gun.

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 10:52 AM with the headline "‘Date night’ turns into jail night for Fresno couple."