Suspect in wild East Bay chase identified

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KGO) -- The chase involving a stolen BMW X5 lasted one hour and 45 minutes on Thursday afternoon.

RELATED: Suspect in custody after police chase from Pleasanton to Oakland

It began in Pleasanton where the CHP got reports of the stolen car suspect going the wrong way on interstate 580. The chase was called off but it resumed again as the driver approached Oakland.

The driver, identified as 30-year-old James Sims of Antioch, exited the freeway near Fruitvale Avenue and made a right turn, the wrong way up MacArthur Boulevard near Highland Hospital.

The pursuit picked up speed as the driver made it into Piedmont.

"We're fortunate no one was injured including the driver of the BMW," said CHP Officer Matt Hamer.

The driver was stopped when a CHP officer performed a maneuver spinning the SUV around on MacArthur Boulevard near Harrison Street.

Sims surrendered to police. He's charged with car theft, evading police, and driving with an expired license.