The damaged GMC Yukon driven by the suspect.
Monroe Police Department photo
MONROE — The Monroe driver who led a high-profile, late-night police pursuit through the Fryelands in late January pleaded not guilty at his initial arraignment Feb. 28.
Jorge Carranza’s trial is scheduled to begin April 18.
Prosecution documents say Carranza had an outstanding 2023 felony warrant from California for possession of drugs. In that situation, he took California Highway Patrol on a chase where he ditched the car and fled by foot. He was arrested on drug charges plus felonies of having a concealed loaded gun with an unregistered high-capacity magazine.
Jan. 24’s situation began when a Snohomish Police sergeant found Carranza parked afterhours in the Snohomish Library parking lot. The cop wanted to chat because of broader problems with overnight camping.
He drove off in his large GMC Yukon SUV. Snohomish Police then tried to pull him over for a traffic infringement. After driving around Snohomish ignoring the stop, Carranza sped off at Lincoln Avenue and First Street toward Monroe. Police reports say he tried to take state Route 522 toward Woodinville before turning back toward Monroe. He turned back to Snohomish, then came back into Monroe to lead a long, slow police chase around town, mostly in the Fryelands, with his tires blown out by spike strips.
He ditched the SUV and escaped a K-9 manhunt. Police impounded the vehicle. A few days later, he came to the police station claiming his SUV was stolen and denied being their suspect.
Police solidified the facts, and arrested him days later.
Carranza faces a felony charge of attempting to elude police and a misdemeanor of obstructing law enforcement for his false stolen-car story.
