2 arrested on drug, weapons charges after police pursuit in H.B.

An investigation into a suspected heroin-selling operation touched off a high-speed chase through Huntington Beach last week that ended with the arrest of two suspected drug dealers, according to police.

Last month, detectives from the Huntington Beach Police Department began surveilling a home in the 16500 block of Goldenwest Street after neighbors became suspicious about people constantly walking around or gathering in the area, authorities said.

According to a news release from the department, drug and gang detectives were driving near the home around 7 p.m. March 25 when they saw two men who fit the description in resident complaints.

When the two men drove off in a white Escalade, detectives followed and tried to pull them over at Goldenwest Street and Stonewood Drive, police said.

The Escalade, however, sped away, sparking a wild pursuit, according to the department.

Detectives and a police helicopter tracked the SUV as it blew threw red lights and drove against traffic, police said.

The Escalade struck another car on Goldenwest just north of Bolsa Avenue but kept going, according to authorities. The SUV finally spun to stop when it slammed into second car near Goldenwest and Westminster Avenue, police said.

The two men inside tried to run, but police quickly took them into custody, according to the department.

Investigators also found a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine and heroin with the men, police said.

Police identified the two suspects as 29-year-old Christopher Salcido and 19-year-old Robert Villasenor.

Later that night, detectives got a call from Fullerton police saying a handgun had been found on Goldenwest as it passes over the 405 Freeway north of Bolsa, according to authorities.

Huntington Beach police said investigators returned to the area, where they found three bullets and pieces that appeared to be broken off the newly discovered gun.

Police suspect that Salcido and Villasenor threw the weapon out of the Escalade during the pursuit. Records show that the handgun was stolen during a residential burglary in La Habra, police said.

On Tuesday, Salcido and Villasenor each pleaded not guilty in Orange County Superior Court to about a dozen drug and weapons charges related to the incident.

Villasenor remains in Orange County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, and Salcido is being held without bail, according to Sheriff’s Department records.