Suspect Frequently Arrested for Vehicle Thefts Crashes a Stolen Pickup Truck
SAUSALITO — Jose G. Oliva-Lemus, 35 of Oakland, is frequently arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, including twice last month. Oliva-Lemus was most recently taken into custody, after he was pursued from Sausalito to Corte Madera.
Sausalito police received an alert generated by an automated license plate reader March 29 at 8:39 a.m. A stolen pickup truck was detected by cameras on the 300 block of Spencer Avenue. It was reported stolen one week earlier in Oakland.
Sausalito officers responded within minutes and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver sped away driving upwards of 90 mph. The ensuing pursuit shifted onto northbound Highway 101 during rush hour traffic.
A Sausalito officer and Marin County Sheriff’s Office deputy followed the pickup for about six miles. Eventually, it turned off the freeway at the Paradise Drive exit in Corte Madera.
Shortly afterward, it crashed into a concrete center lane divider, near 1618 Redwood Highway. Next, it proceeded to crash into a light pole at The Village of Corte Madera shopping center.
The crash damaged the lane divider, light pole, and the pickup truck. Oliva-Lemus attempted to flee on foot from the crash scene. However, he was quickly detained and taken into custody, after receiving medical clearance.
He was arrested by Sausalito PD, which received assistance from the sheriff’s office and Central Marin Police Authority. This time the suspect was booked at Marin County Jail. He faces charges for possession of a stolen vehicle, hit and run, reckless driving and evading/obstructing/resisting an officer.
Prior to this latest incident, Oliva-Lemus was arrested several other times on suspicion of vehicle theft. He was arrested for a vehicle theft in Contra Costa County on March 2.
