Advisory
On February 26, 2026 at around 2:30 PM members of Meridian Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) were in the area of Linder and Cherry and they observed a male taking property out of an unoccupied vehicle. The male then drove away in another vehicle, taking the property with him.
An officer attempted a traffic stop on that vehicle, and the male led police on a pursuit traveling at high rates of speed and nearly causing multiple crashes. Officers attempted to bring the pursuit to a stop near Pine and Webb using a precision immobilization technique (PIT), but the vehicle continued driving. Ultimately the vehicle came to a stop near Eagle and Magic View when the male, Mario FERNANDEZ (47) of Parma, fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, an officer deployed a Taser which immobilized FERNANDEZ and he was arrested.
Officers searched the vehicle FERNANDEZ had been driving and recovered over 20 grams of Cocaine, over 2 grams of Methamphetamine, and over 20 grams of alpha-PVP (a synthetic designer drug also called Flakka or bath salts). Meanwhile, an officer had remained at Linder and Cherry and contacted the driver of the other vehicle, Edward BEHRENS (47) of Boise. The investigation revealed BEHRENS had intentionally left drugs behind in his vehicle for FERNANDEZ to recover, and BEHRENS was also arrested.
After the arrests FERNANDEZ was booked for felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver drugs, eluding a police officer, and misdemeanor counts of possession of Marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting and obstructing. BEHRENS was booked for one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance.
Chief Tracy Basterrechea commends the proactive work of our officers as well as the skill and professionalism exhibited in apprehending these suspects without injury or damage amidst the dangers posed by these individuals.
Meridian Police Make Arrests for Drug Delivery and Vehicle Pursuit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, February 26, 2026
CONTACT: Lieutenant Brandon Frasier, [email protected]
Meridian Police Make Arrests for Drug Delivery and Vehicle Pursuit
MERIDIAN, ID – On February 26, 2026 at around 2:30 PM members of Meridian Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) were in the area of Linder and Cherry and they observed a male taking property out of an unoccupied vehicle. The male then drove away in another vehicle, taking the property with him.
An officer attempted a traffic stop on that vehicle, and the male led police on a pursuit traveling at high rates of speed and nearly causing multiple crashes. Officers attempted to bring the pursuit to a stop near Pine and Webb using a precision immobilization technique (PIT), but the vehicle continued driving. Ultimately the vehicle came to a stop near Eagle and Magic View when the male, Mario FERNANDEZ (47) of Parma, fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, an officer deployed a Taser which immobilized FERNANDEZ and he was arrested.
Officers searched the vehicle FERNANDEZ had been driving and recovered over 20 grams of Cocaine, over 2 grams of Methamphetamine, and over 20 grams of alpha-PVP (a synthetic designer drug also called Flakka or bath salts). Meanwhile, an officer had remained at Linder and Cherry and contacted the driver of the other vehicle, Edward BEHRENS (47) of Boise. The investigation revealed BEHRENS had intentionally left drugs behind in his vehicle for FERNANDEZ to recover, and BEHRENS was also arrested.
After the arrests FERNANDEZ was booked for felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver drugs, eluding a police officer, and misdemeanor counts of possession of Marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting and obstructing. BEHRENS was booked for one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance.
Chief Tracy Basterrechea commends the proactive work of our officers as well as the skill and professionalism exhibited in apprehending these suspects without injury or damage amidst the dangers posed by these individuals.
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The Meridian Police Department’s mission is to provide the highest quality service in partnership with the community to preserve and protect life and property through education, prevention and enforcement. The department has 147 police officers, and 46 non-sworn staff dedicated to making Meridian a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Address/Location
Meridian Police Department
1401 E Watertower St
Meridian, ID 83642
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 208-888-6678
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