Three people nabbed a car and began a burglary spree, filling up the vehicle with items taken from cars and homes in the area. They were caught by the Redding Police after the car was identified as stolen.
This Saturday morning, police were called to a home on Toro Way for a stolen vehicle report. Responding at 9:14 am, according to a press release, officers took the report of a missing 2001 Toyota 4Runner.
Within two hours of taking the report, the car was spotted in southwest Redding across the I-5 Freeway on Hemlock Court, after they had reportedly burglarized a vehicle there. Police responded, and contacted the Toyota within a mile and a half of the sighting, at Sacramento Drive and Eastside Road. The driver failed to stop when alerted, and led police on a brief chase that ended up at Market Street (Highway 273) and Westwood Drive – within sight of the initial contact, but across the railroad tracks, and several minutes drive away.
A view from the spot where police tried to pull the car over, to where they finally ended up.
The driver, 32-year-old Luis Ayala, stopped the car next to the railroad tracks and jumped out, attempting to run away from pursuing officers. He wasn’t fast enough to outrun Carr, an eight-year-old German Shepherd serving in the Redding PD K9 program. When caught, Ayala tried to fight him off, usually not a good idea against a trained police dog. Meanwhile one of Ayala’s two partners, 21-year-old Joshua Sartain, also tried running, but he was quickly caught by officers as well. The third of the group, 24-year-old Michelle Rhoades, was detained at the scene. The recovered stolen car was filled with items taken from vehicles and houses, including a power generator, various electronic equipment, a camera, and clothing.
The two men were arrested and booked at the Shasta County Jail for grand theft auto, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, felony evading arrest, resisting arrest, and burglary. Ayala also faces the additional charge of assaulting a police canine. Rhoades was charged with receiving stolen property, and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The items stolen and recovered have been returned to the owners.
K9 Carr looks ready for action in this photo from the Redding PD K9 webpage.
Read More:
Redding.com: 3 in custody after police chase stolen vehicle through south Redding
