Big Bear woman arrested for after leading police on high-speed chase while driving stolen SUV

 A woman from Big Bear is in custody after she allegedly drove a stolen SUV, led police on a high-speed chase for over 7 miles, and left the vehicle near a forested area.

The incident began at around 10 PM on January 27th.  The suspect, 27-year-old Hailey Lynn Casasanta, was driving the black Kia SUV with no rear license plate, prompting officers to attempt a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of Maple Lane and Baldwin Lane in Sugarloaf.

Rather than comply, Casasanta led officers on a fast and dangerous pursuit from Sugarloaf to Big Bear, in which she “reached speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour, and was seen crossing double yellow lines and running through stop signs,” according to the press release.

“Through the coordinated efforts of additional deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station and the Aviation Division of the Sheriff’s Department, the car was ultimately found parked in a residential neighborhood in the 1100 block of North Whispering Forest Road,“ the release continued.

Casasanta continued to flee from police, attempting to hide in a nearby forested area.  Police successfully found her there and arrested her without incident.

Casasanta was booked at Big Bear Jail on $100,000 bail for possession of a stolen vehicle and evading police with disregard for public safety.  She was scheduled to face these charges at San Bernardino Justice Center last Friday.

The stolen vehicle was returned to its owner in Sugarloaf.