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Wanted Felon Leads ACPD Officers on a High-Speed Pursuit
AMERICAN CANYON, Calif., Mar. 16, 2026 — On March 16, 2026, at approximately 12:30 AM, an American Canyon Police Officer stopped a gray 2006 BMW sedan for vehicle code violations, in the area of northbound SR-29 at Donaldson Way. When the officer exited his patrol car to contact the driver of the BMW, the driver fled the area at a high rate of speed, and a pursuit was initiated onto northbound SR-29.
The pursuit continued northbound on SR-29 through Napa at speeds over 100mph. Assisting Napa County Sheriff’s Deputies used a “spike strip” in attempt to disable the vehicle, in the area of SR-29 and Darms Lane. The BMW continued northbound on the highway into Saint Helena and became partially disable due to a flat tire. The pursuit came to an end in the 2000 block of Main Street in Saint Helena, when the BMW crashed into a tree.
The male driver immediately fled on foot into the mountain terrain west of Main Street. After approximately two hours of searching for the suspect, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol Air Operations Unit, Napa Police Department, Saint Helena Police Department, and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office he was taken into custody.
The male was identified as 22-year-old Raul Mendoza Valencia of San Jose. Officers learned he had (5) outstanding warrants for his arrest, all out of Santa Clara County. Valencia was booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections for several felony and misdemeanor charges associated with evading law enforcement, resisting arrest, and his outstanding warrants. One of the arrest warrants is a felony with zero bail and he is still in custody.
Media Contact:
American Canyon Police Department
(707) 551-0600
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