Photo: Stock Image
OAKLEY— A routine traffic enforcement operation escalated to a police chase and arrest of a man who is frequently in trouble. A loaded firearm, methamphetamine and $4,200 were recovered as evidence after the suspect’s vehicle crashed.
Officers first attempted to stop this vehicle on Laurel Road on September 28, because it had no license plates. The vehicle turned onto Harvest Circle and stopped in the driveway of a residence.
The driver exited from the vehicle and complied with an order to get back inside. The driver next began backing up at an accelerating speed. The vehicle turned back onto Laurel Road and sped away traveling westbound.
At times driving in the wrong lane, the vehicle turned onto Empire Avenue, crossed Lone Tree Way, and entered Brentwood. The pursuit was ended for public safety, but shortly afterwards a tire on the suspect’s vehicle blew out. It crashed at Empire Avenue and Shady Willow Lane. No other vehicles were involved.
The driver Brandon Gentry, 32, of Stockton, fled on foot but he was apprehended by a faster officer. Meanwhile, a passenger in the crashed car suffered injuries and was subsequently transported to a hospital.
In a prepared statement police chief Paul Beard said. “The driver said he was epileptic and appeared to have a seizure after being detained.” Gentry was placed under arrest before he was transported to a hospital. Charges against him are pending.
Gentry has 17 prior arrests. These involve robberies, firearms violations, possession of controlled substances for sale, among other offenses.
