Photo: Shannon Peterson and Laresha Brown
At least two cars were broken into in the parking of Harris Ranch Inn, a hotel and restaurant located on Dorris Ave. near Interstate 5 in Coalinga. While patrons were enjoying their dinner on Monday evening, Shannon Peterson and Laresha Brown were breaking car windows and helping themselves to several pieces of luggage and electronic items.
Detectives dispatched identifying information about the suspects and their vehicle to nearby patrol units. Within two hours, a deputy saw the described vehicle on Interstate 5 and West Jayne Ave.
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Using lights and sirens, the deputy signaled the car to pull over. The suspects did not pull over but instead took off, reaching speeds of more than 100 mph. They turned off all their lights in an attempt to lose the deputy. EAGLE One, the Sheriff’s helicopter, was deployed. CHP and Kings County Sheriff’s Officers were also called in to help.
The suspects flew into Kern County at 130 mph. With the helicopter overheard, patrol cars were able to slow down and put some distance between themselves and the suspects. About an hour after the chase started, the suspects pulled off the interstate on exit 58 in Buttonwillow.
They drove their BMW to a motel on Tracy Ave. and took off on foot, using parked semi-truck trailers as cover. Kern County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit came and other officers set up a perimeter. The suspects were found and taken into custody without further incident, 70 miles away from where they were first spotted. The items reported stolen were found in the suspect’s car.
There’s been a string of vehicle break-ins in the Coalinga area where this started and detectives are investigating if Peterson and Brown are connected. As of now, 25-year old Peterson paid the bond on his $25,000 bail and is out of jail while 30-year old Brown remains locked up. Her bail is set at $76,000 but is ineligible to bail out for violating her probation. She has a prior conviction for evading police.
Any related information may be communicated with Detective Eric Penland at 559-600-8171 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
