Transient Arrested After Stolen Car Chase in Santa Rosa

Police arrested a transient man Tuesday after he allegedly led police on a chase in a Cadillac STS he stole, police said Wednesday.

An officer responded at about 9:10 p.m. to the 400 block of West Third Street after someone reported his vehicle stolen, according to police.

The victim said he left his 2005 Cadillac parked outside a business for a few minutes while he went inside, police said.

As he was inside, Inocencio Prado, 34, allegedly stole the car, according to police. The victim left his cellphone inside the car and the cellphone company was able to tell police the Cadillac was near Bellevue Avenue, police said.

When the officer responded he found the Cadillac at Todd Road and U.S. Highway 101, according to police.

The officer tried to stop Prado but he allegedly drove the Cadillac west on Todd Road at about 90 mph, police said.

Prado fled through a red light at Todd Road and Stony Point Road and continued to drive north on Stony Point Road at 90 to 100 mph, according to police.

Prado allegedly drove erratically, passing over double yellow lines to get around vehicles, almost hitting a center divider, police said.

As the chase continued, Prado led the officer to West Third Street where the officer got in front of the Cadillac and tried to knock it off the road, according to police.

But Prado spun the Cadillac and drove into a strip mall, police said. Prado regained control of the car and drove in the parking lot until the officer pulled in front of him again and stopped the vehicle, according to police.

Prado refused to get out of the car, holding onto the steering wheel, police said. But officers took his hands and removed him from the car.

Prado was booked into the Sonoma County Main Jail on suspicion of felony evading arrest, possession of a stolen vehicle, a misdemeanor warrant, driving without a license and resisting arrest, police said.

--Bay City News Service, photo via Shutterstock