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Foot chase follows bike path robbery
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A  regional auto theft task force officer got into a foot chase with two suspects during the noon hour Friday following the robbery of a 19-year-old man on the Tidewater Bike Path.

Officer Steve Schluer spotted two men on Sequoia Avenue near Virginia matching the description of the suspects who had allegedly just attacked a young man carrying a guitar.  The guitar, a cell phone, his wallet filled with credits cards and a thumb drive were taken.  Manteca Police said he suffered minor cut wounds to his face in the scuffle.

The two suspects ran from Schluer south on Sequoia and turned west on Virginia where they split up and one ran back toward Sequoia.  Schluer made the first arrest as the 17-year-old started to run down an alley catching up with him on foot.    

Officer Joe DeAngelis caught up with Clarence Cortez, 18, of Manteca  several blocks away near Park and Oregon streets south of the Southside Park, according to investigating Officer Richard Smigelski.

Smigelski said the guitar and wallet were dumped near houses along Center Street and the railroad tracks and the cell phone was found near Southside Park at Park and Oregon streets.

The juvenile still had possession of a thumb drive that had been taken from the victim when he was arrested, Smigelski added.   The officer said all the stolen property was recovered and returned to the owner.

Contez was charged with robbery, conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and for resisting arrest.  The 17-year-old had similar charges including possession of stolen property.

Cortez was transported to San Joaquin County Jail and the juvenile was taken to juvenile hall, both in French Camp.