Two suspects in a reportedly stolen car kept multiple law enforcement agencies busy Friday, leading officers from different jurisdictions on separate pursuits.
Multiple pursuits
The incident began in Vallejo when officers noticed a car without a license plate driving recklessly. They briefly pursued the vehicle but ended the chase before it left the city. At that point, a helicopter joined the effort.
Berkeley police reported receiving a call at 4:16 p.m. from a California Highway Patrol helicopter based in Contra Costa County. The helicopter crew had spotted the stolen vehicle with two suspects inside and was tracking it from the air.
CHP told KTVU they were only using the helicopter to monitor the car’s movements and relay its location to other agencies. No ground units were involved. CHP also confirmed that the Vallejo Police Department had initiated the initial pursuit.
Two suspects in the stolen vehicle kept several Bay Area law enforcement agencies busy Friday, leading departments from different jurisdictions on separate chases.
Vehicle crashes
The Berkeley Police Department said CHP alerted them that the suspects might be exiting in Berkeley. Instead, the stolen vehicle took the exit in Emeryville and continued into Oakland, where it collided with several vehicles, according to police.
Berkeley police said both suspects got out of the car, and Oakland officers arrested one of them.
Oakland police confirmed they were aware the stolen vehicle entered their city just before 4:30 p.m. They added that the investigation is ongoing and clarified they are not the lead agency handling the case.
Carjacking – Another stolen vehicle
Berkeley police said the second suspect allegedly carjacked another vehicle, prompting a new pursuit by the Oakland Police Department.
The reportedly stolen car was chased onto Highway 13, then exited onto Tunnel Road in Berkeley. Berkeley officers joined the pursuit after hearing the suspect had struck multiple pedestrians, knocking them to the ground.
Around 5 p.m., the suspect crashed into a Berkeley police patrol car and then slammed into a light pole, according to police.
As an officer approached the vehicle to apprehend the suspect, they discovered he was injured. He was removed from the car and taken to the hospital with serious injuries from the crash.
Officials said the suspect is suffering from spinal injuries.
SkyFOX flew over the scene and captured footage of the suspect on the ground receiving medical attention after being contained and held at gunpoint.
The aftermath
Berkeley police said the officer whose patrol car was hit at Haste and Shattuck was not injured.
There were no updates on the condition of the injured suspect.
Police also returned to the area where pedestrians were reportedly struck but did not find anyone who confirmed being hit by the vehicle.
No additional details were released about the first suspect who had been taken into custody.
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