Man flees police in Fresno, gun thrown from vehicle during chase

Four people were arrested after a man threw a loaded gun from a vehicle during a police pursuit on Monday, leading authorities to a home that had marijuana growing in the backyard, Fresno police said.

When police tried pulling over Peter Bandaphone, 33, he led detectives on a pursuit that was called off to ensure the safety of other motorists, police said. His vehicle was found in a parking lot near Weber Avenue and Fountain Way when he ran from it after hitting a parked truck. Police also found a handgun that Bandaphone, a gang member, allegedly threw near Dakota and Marks avenues as he fled in his vehicle.

Detectives determined Bandaphone was living at a home in the 6500 block of South Cherry Avenue in Easton, which also had marijuana growing in the backyard. When a search warrant was served, a woman tried fleeing over a fence but was caught. Bandaphone and two others with felony warrants were arrested after a traffic stop on Highway 41 and American Avenue, police said.

The marijuana had a street value estimated at $100,000, police said.

Bandaphone, who was on post-release community supervision, was arrested on suspicion of felony evading, firearm and ammunition charges, resisting arrest and hit and run, police said.

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 8:23 PM with the headline "Man flees police in Fresno, gun thrown from vehicle during chase."