RICHMOND – A teenager who was driving a stolen car led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit that spanned from Contra Costa County to San Francisco and back across the Bay Bridge to Richmond. Eventually, the teenager surrendered after a standoff, according to the California Highway Patrol’s statement on Friday.
The sequence of events began around 3:20 p.m. when a deputy from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office tried to pull over a white Infiniti heading west on state Route 4.
Upon this attempted stop, the stolen vehicle sped onto westbound Interstate Highway 80. Concerned for the safety of other drivers, the sheriff’s deputy ceased the chase, as explained by the CHP.
However, a Contra Costa County Sheriff’s helicopter took up the pursuit and continued tracking the stolen car. The car crossed the Bay Bridge into San Francisco and navigated through the city’s downtown streets.
As it seemed the stolen car was trapped, a CHP officer readied a K-9 unit in case a foot chase was necessary. Despite this, the driver of the stolen car pressed on, colliding with two other vehicles and even injuring the police dog, according to law enforcement.
The K-9 was fortunately not severely hurt and received medical evaluation from a veterinarian, reported the CHP.
The stolen vehicle retraced its route, heading east on the Bay Bridge and then north on I-80, ultimately reaching Richmond. The driver abandoned the car near Fleming Avenue and Ells Street, making an escape on foot into a nearby apartment complex.
In response, the police surrounded the apartment units, evacuating them in the process. Despite repeated commands to surrender, the driver remained concealed.
Finally, a little after 9 p.m., authorities utilized loudspeakers to once again request the driver’s surrender. This time, the teenager complied, and as he is a juvenile, his name was not released by the police.