Suspect Jumps In Discovery Bay Waters During Hwy 4 Chase

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – A driver who led California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed pursuit Wednesday from the Sacramento area before hopping out of his car and jumping into the water near Discovery Bay has been apprehended, according to CHP officials.

The pursuit, through multiple counties and involving numerous law enforcement agencies, began near Oroville at about 12:24 p.m., then continued onto Interstate 5 and ended at about 4:30 p.m. on state Highway 4, near the Old River Bridge, just outside of Discovery Bay.

Butte County Sheriff's deputies first spotted a gray Dodge Magnum, previously reported as driving recklessly in the Oroville area, and were unsuccessful in stopping the driver, said the California Highway Patrol, which dispatched Air Operations units.

The driver evaded the CHP and drove on southbound I-5 through the Sacramento area towards Lodi, officials said. Stockton CHP officers took over the pursuit in the I-5 and SR-12 areas, yet the motorist continued at high speeds maneuvering recklessly through traffic recklessly. At least three attempts to disable the Dodge with spike strips were unsuccessful, the CHP said, adding that the Dodge exited at Charter Way and continued west on SR-4.

Due to the vehicle's high speeds and risk for public safety, ground units stopped pursuing the Dodge, which then was monitored by air patrols, the agency said.

"The CHP airplane continued to monitor the Dodge and give officers updates," the CHP said. "Due to quick- thinking officers, (the) CHP was able to coordinate the closure of the Old River Bridge near Discovery Bay."

After the CHP closed the drawbridge over the Old River, the suspect stopped his car along the highway and jumped into the water. The incident caused the closure of all eastbound lanes of Highway 4.

Once in the water, the suspect allegedly began taunting officers and sheriff's deputies, according to CHP Officer Charlie Katzakian.

"(The) Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office responded to the area with a boat to assist in the apprehension of the suspect," the CHP said. "The suspect continued to evade by swimming under the boat and taunting officers from the water."

As authorities on the boat attempted to take him into custody, the man allegedly splashed them with water. After about an hour, officers were eventually able to make the arrest, Katzakian said.

The suspect, identified as Gregory Alan Holloway, 46, from Vacaville, was medically cleared and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail for suspicion of felony evading and resisting arrest.

No one was injured during the incident, according to Katzakian.

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--Bay City News contributed to this report/Shutterstock image