Burglary Suspect Leads Pursuit Through Calaveras County
VALLEY SPRINGS — Just after 7 AM on February 13th, Calaveras County Sheriff’s Deputies began an investigation into a burglary at the CCWD Water Treatment Plant on Campbell Road. Several items had been stolen during the burglary, including a 2008 Ford 350 with a utility bed.
Just after 1 PM on the same day, deputies spotted a vehicle matching the same description on Quail Road and attempted a traffic stop, with which the driver initially complied and then pulled away as soon as a deputy approached the vehicle.
A pursuit began which went on for 20 miles and lasted at least half an hour, passing over highways and country roads, after which the pursuit was handed over to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP pursued the suspect past Highway 12 and Haskell Road in Wallace, eventually calling off the pursuit out of concern for safety to the public. Police report that the pursuit lasted over an hour.
Then, just after 4 PM, the vehicle (and stolen property) was located on the 4700 block of Lakeview Drive back in Valley Springs. A witness also reported seeing a male driver ditch the vehicle and run into the woods nearby.
CHP and County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and canvassed the area, eventually running up on 24-year-old Octavio Hernandez.
Hernandez was arrested and charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, and wanton disregard for safety. He is housed at the Calaveras County Jail on $75,000 bond.
