Stolen car suspect in custody after police chase from Pleasanton to Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Officials say a man driving a stolen car led officers on a wild chase through the East Bay on I-580 and eventually onto city streets in Oakland. At one point, the driver went the wrong way and nearly hit several cars.


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Contra Costa Area CHP began the pursuit of the stolen BMW X5 SUV around 1:35 p.m. in Pleasanton. Officials say a few minutes later the driver, 30-year-old Antioch resident James Sims, began going the wrong way on the freeway.

Out of concern for public safety, officers stopped the chase, and CHP Air Unit 37 followed the SUV as it traveled from Pleasanton to Oakland on westbound I-580.

Sky7 was overhead as the BMW got off the freeway and began driving the wrong way on city streets.


Oakland CHP units were able to get in position at westbound I-580 at the Harrison Street off-ramp and start the pursuit back up again.
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Officers were successfully able to stop the suspect by using the CHP PIT maneuver, or Pursuit Intervention Technique. This is when the pursuing vehicle forces the fleeing car to abruptly turn sideways, causing the driver to lose control and stop.



After the suspect's car was hit and stopped on a residential road, the driver got out and surrendered peacefully to police. There are no reports of injuries at this time.



Sims was booked into Santa Rita jail for felony evasion, driving the wrong way on the freeway, possession of stolen property, and driving with a suspended license.