By Jim Emerson
OAKLEY, CA — Officers with Oakley PD recently arrested a driver who fled an attempted traffic stop, smashed a wrought iron fence
and got stuck on a berm.
Oakley officers arrested 36-year-old Andrew McWirther, of Bethel Island, with assistance from additional agencies.
Oakley officers observed a vehicle driving slowly through the Emerson Ranch neighborhood on February 23 at 3 a.m. Officers began following the suspicious vehicle and the driver accelerated at a high-rate of speed. “Officers turned on their emergency lights to perform a traffic stop,” Oakley police said in a prepared statement. “The vehicle continued to flee and a pursuit was started.” The wayward driver made multiple turns near Almondtree Lane.“The suspect turned into courts apparently believing they were through roads. The suspect made tight turns requiring officers to evade the suspect’s vehicle to avoid collisions,” according to officials.
The driver turned onto Anderson Lane and then Atherton Boulevard, where he crashed through the fence and got stuck. McWirther abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot towards Freedom High School, falling into a flooded basin. The suspect found a dry patch of land, where officers surrounded him. McWirther once again attempted to flee, this time towards O’Hara Avenue, however officers caught up with him and he was placed under arrest.
A search of McWirther’s vehicle turned up two 9 mm starter pistols, and blanks.
McWirther was arrested for felony evasion, resisting officers, and offenses related to the starter pistols and blank ammunition.
