Suspects arrested in hit-and-run with stolen vehicle

By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer

Two people suspected of driving a stolen vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash were arrested Saturday after hiding in a vineyard off Highway 29, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A CHP helicopter and Amo, a K-9 dog with the Napa County Sheriff’s Department, helped find the two suspects after a 40-minute search, according to the CHP and the Napa County Sheriff’s Department.

Lucas Vegvary, 21, of American Canyon, who is suspected of driving a stolen Acura, and his passenger, Ana Karen Garrido, 18, of Vallejo, gave up after Amo tracked them hiding at a winery, police said.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., Vegvary is suspected of crashing a stolen Acura into a Thunderbird on Highway 121 south of Stanly Lane and fleeing the scene, according to the CHP.

The Thunderbird’s driver had braked on Highway 121 after he realized a BMW ahead of him was about to turn left instead of right as they drove northbound toward Napa, CHP Officer Steven Wheat explained. The BMW was also hit.

The Acura, which sustained major front-end damage, is suspected of fleeing the scene to Highway 29, where it stalled near the Butler Bridge, Wheat said.

Vegvary and Garrido then fled on foot to a nearby vineyard before Amo located them, Wheat said.

“That dog picked up the scent and ran with it,” Wheat said.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Perry said the suspects gave up as soon as Amo and his handler, Sheriff’s Deputy James Baumgartner, found them hiding inside a truck trailer at the winery.

Vegvary was booked at Napa County Jail on suspicion of hit-and-run, possession of a stolen vehicle and driving on a suspended license, Wheat said. He was on probation for a DUI and hit-and-run crash, according to police.

Garrido was booked on suspicion of stolen property possession, according to the Napa County Jail booking sheet.

The driver of the BMW complained of pain, but no one was transported to the hospital for treatment, according to the CHP.

Alcohol and drug use are not suspected in the incident, Wheat said. The incident remains under investigation, he said.

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