Stockton man arrested after fleeing from Anderson Police in stolen vehicle | Crime

ANDERSON, Calif. – Anderson Police took a man into custody after he fled from officers and crashed his stolen vehicle Friday.

At approximately 3:50 pm, officers with the Anderson Police Department were handling an unrelated service call at the Anderson Walmart when they observed a stolen vehicle driving past them.

According to authorities, the officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle, but the driver immediately fled. Due to the weather conditions and pedestrians in the area, officers immediately terminated their pursuit of the vehicle.

Several minutes later, dispatchers at SHASCOM advised officers that they had received several reports of a similar vehicle involved in a collision, with the driver of the vehicle fleeing the scene on foot. When officers arrived at the scene, they located the overturned stolen vehicle down a steep embankment.

Authorities say that witnesses advised officers that the driver was seen running towards a nearby home and that his wallet, which contained his identification, which was left outside of the stolen vehicle. Officers were able to identify the suspect as 35-year-old Kenith Thomas of Stockton.

As officers began searching the area for Thomas, the resident of the home that Thomas was last seen running towards returned to her home. Upon entering her home, the resident realized that someone was inside and alerted officers.

As officers began establishing a perimeter, Thomas was seen running towards Interstate 5. Authorities say that the officers began pursuing Thomas, who climbed over a fence and attempted to conceal himself in the tall grass. Thomas ultimately surrendered to officers and was arrested without further incident.

During their investigation, officers confirmed that Thomas was the driver of the stolen vehicle and that he had broken into the home. Further investigation revealed that Thomas was on parole for burglary with an active felony warrant for parole violation.

Thomas was taken into custody by Anderson Police on his felony warrant and was charged with first degree burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, and vandalism. In addition, authorities say that Thomas will be charged with hit and run by the California Highway Patrol after they investigated the vehicle collision.