The pickup truck driver pursued by authorities for more than 30 minutes Tuesday from Hollister to Gilroy escaped on foot, but the investigating sheriff’s office reported that it might have a positive identification on the suspect.
The pursuit started around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday on Hillcrest Road in Hollister and led to Fairview Road, where the driver of a pickup truck – reported as stolen – led sheriff’s deputies in the chase that included speeds of 50 mph to 60 mph.
A sheriff’s spokesman could not be reached immediately after the pursuit but responded Thursday, confirming the suspect got away. San Benito County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tony Lamonica said the investigating deputy had leads and a potential I.D. of the suspect, but nobody is in custody.
The suspect was described as a male in his mid-30s wearing white sneakers and blue jeans. He was driving a Chevy pickup truck.
The sheriff’s office shortly after 10:20 a.m. Tuesday started the pursuit on Hillcrest Road after a driver failed to yield at a stop, according to dispatch reports. The male driver drove east on Hillcrest Road and turned north on Fairview Road.
The sheriff’s office reported to dispatchers that the driver was moving around in the vehicle and weaving in the light traffic at times. California Highway Patrol officers, meanwhile, were prepared to join the pursuit, which passed Spring Grove Road at 10:30 a.m. and Highway 156 shortly after that.
The suspect headed west on Frazier Lake Road and toward the Gilroy area. At 10:53 a.m., police were pursuing the suspect, who abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot near 7600 Monterey Road in Gilroy.
