Lengthy Pursuit Ends In San Leandro Arrest

SAN LEANDRO, CA — A pursuit Thursday night of a vehicle reported as stolen led law officers from Highway 24 in Contra Costa County to San Leandro, ending in the arrest of a 20-year-old man on multiple charges.

The vehicle, reported stolen to the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff shortly 11 p.m., was spotted and followed by Lafayette police while traveling westbound on state Highway 24.

The Sheriff's Office STARR 1 helicopter provided support as the vehicle was followed to the area of Marina Boulevard and Interstate Highway 880, where the driver fled an attempted stop at high speed.

"The officers terminated the pursuit, while STARR 1 stayed overhead monitoring the vehicle's location" as it went to the Bayfair BART station, the sheriff's office said in a release.

The driver abandoned the vehicle, ran along the tracks and attempted to hide, but was located by STARR 1 and a CHP helicopter.

Suspect Joseph Willis surrendered and was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges that include felony evading, obstruction, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and multiple weapons violations including felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a stolen firearm and
having large capacity magazines.

Willis had three outstanding arrest warrants from other jurisdictions and was also booked for a probation violation, the sheriff's office said.

He is being held without bail.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at 925-313-2600 or email tips to tips@so.cccounty.us.

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