Pittsburg man arrested after stealing Antioch retirement home bus, wrong-way freeway chase, collisions, Tuesday
By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at approximately 10:11 AM, the Antioch Police Department took a report from the Quail Lodge Retirement Home that their transport bus had been stolen. The bus driver reported that he had stopped at the Safeway store at 3365 Deer Valley Road to pick up some Quail Lodge Residents. As the driver went inside the Safeway to get the residents, he left the bus running to keep it cool inside. While inside, the bus was stolen.
At approximately 1:50 PM a citizen called Antioch Police and advised they saw the bus getting on Highway 4 westbound from Sand Creek Road in Brentwood. Antioch Officers intercepted the bus traveling westbound Highway 4 at A Street and attempted a traffic stop, but the bus did not yield to the officers. A pursuit ensued at a high rate of speed continuing westbound to the Loveridge Road exit in Pittsburg where the bus started to exit, but then turned around. With the bus now traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 4 the officers discontinued the pursuit.
The bus traveling the wrong way collided with three vehicles to include a semi-truck and a school bus carrying approximately 50 students. There were no injuries as a result of any of the collisions. The driver of the stolen bus then abandoned the vehicle and ran north, jumping the fence into the Honda car dealership on Century Court.
Officers responded to the dealership where, with the help of a police K9, they located 27-year old Pittsburg resident, Cameron Alexander hiding behind a vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Contra Costa County Jail for Auto Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, Felony Evading, Reckless Driving, Driving Under the Influence, Driving on a Suspended License and a Probation Violation.
This case will be filed with the DA’s Office later this week. No further information will be released at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective McManus with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6940. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.
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