Vehicle Thief Arrested After Pursuit

Source: California Highway Patrol

On May 11, 2020, at approximately 0900 hours, a citizen reported their 2014 Dodge Ram HD5500 utility truck stolen to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  The vehicle was stolen from the Agoura Hills area.  In response, information of the stolen vehicle was quickly disseminated to law enforcement throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. 

At approximately 1000 hours, the same day, officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Ventura Area observed the stolen vehicle traveling northbound on the US 101 Freeway in northern Ventura County.  When CHP units attempted to conduct an enforcement stop on the stolen vehicle, the driver failed to stop, causing a pursuit to ensue.  CHP units from both Ventura and Santa Barbara areas, to include a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s helicopter pursued the suspect northbound on the US 101. 

The suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle, fleeing on foot in the vicinity of the US 101, south of Gaviota State Park.  Pursuing units converged on the area, with the assistance of the Ventura County Auto Theft Taskforce (VenCATT).  The suspect, identified as Jacob Ray Sanchez, was located and quickly taken into custody.  Sanchez was transported from the scene and booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on pursuit and vehicle theft related charges.

VenCATT reminds citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.  Also, to take steps in diminishing your chances of becoming a victim.  Never leave your vehicle running while unattended or leave keys or valuables in a parked car. Report suspicious activity anonymously by contacting Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  You can also anonymously report vehicle theft activity in Ventura County directly to VenCATT at (805) 419-0455, or via email at 706_vencatt@chp.ca.gov