After chase, man admits to stealing more than 500 cars

ANDERSON — Two Shasta County men, including one who admitted to stealing more than 500 cars during his life, were arrested early Wednesday following a wild police pursuit that reached speeds of nearly 100 mph, Anderson Police said.

Timothy Jack Parker, 32, of Cottonwood, and his passenger, Daniel William Harrington, 34, of Redding, were arrested and booked into Shasta County Jail, Anderson police reported on Facebook.

Police said the episode began when the owner of a car dealership on North Street in Anderson reported shortly after midnight that a 2006 Jeep Wrangler had just been stolen from his car lot.

Around 1:20 a.m., police said, an Anderson Police officer saw the stolen Jeep drive past him.

The officer got behind the Jeep and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on it, but the driver failed to pull over. A pursuit then began from Anderson into Happy Valley, reaching speeds in excess of 90 mph, police said, adding there was little to no traffic on the roads.

Police said the Jeep became disabled and stopped after striking a cattle grate.

Police said officers interviewed Parker about his criminal history and prior vehicle theft cases, saying Parker admitted to stealing vehicles since he was 12 and estimated he had stolen more than 500 cars in his lifetime between California and Nevada.