PHOENIX — A Valley man was formally charged after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase last year, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

MCAO said that Johnny Lee Castillo, 45, was indicted in January on three felony counts of aggravated assault and one felony count of unlawful flight for the chase, which happened last November.

Police were originally called due to a theft at a retail store on Nov. 19, 2024, and saw the suspect, identified as Castillo, driving away from the scene.

As he drove away, he allegedly hit a Phoenix police officer, according to a press release from MCAO.

Details of high-speed chase in Phoenix

About a week later, on Nov. 26, officers found Castillo. He took off, which led to a high-speed chase where speeds reached higher than 100 mph.

The chase lasted an hour and went through multiple cities, according to MCAO.

Castillo allegedly hit a police vehicle, veered into oncoming traffic and put the lives of other drivers, passengers and pedestrians in danger, MCAO said.

The chase ended when officers disabled Castillo’s car.

Castillo is currently being held on a $100,000 secured appearance bond.

His trial is scheduled to begin in November.

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