Man turns petty theft into felony charges

Vacaville – Jeffrey Scott Chavez, 28, of San Bernardino was attempting to evade police last Thursday when he drove straight into a light pole instead.

Around 10:30 Thursday morning police received a strong-arm robbery report from the Burlington Coat Factory on Harbison Drive. According to their loss prevention officer, Chavez was exiting the store with stolen property when the officer attempted to intervene and Chavez punched him in the face.

It all started here - a stolen $67 coat led to assault, a police chase, a wrecked car and light pole.

Chavez then took off in a white Ford Ranger and was later seen driving eastbound on Highway 80. A traffic stop was attempted near the Orange Drive exit, and Chavez did pull over, but when more officers arrived he drove off again.

Cue the light pole, which Chavez not only hit but severed from its base. He then fled on foot, jumping over a fence into a construction zone and continuing toward Orange Drive, where officers caught him. The stolen property located at the scene was valued at approximately $67.

Chavez was identified by witnesses to the Burlington Coat Factory theft and arrested. Charges include felony counts of robbery and evading police, and misdemeanor counts of obstruction and driving on a suspended license. Chavez also has two outstanding warrants from San Bernardino County.

Read More:

Daily Republic: Suspect in strong-arm robbery arrested after chase, crash

The Reporter: Vacaville police arrest man after pursuit