Olivehurst man allegedly steals patrol car, golf cart in his attempted escape

An Olivehurst man allegedly broke free of handcuffs, stole a patrol car and commandeered a golf cart in his flight from law enforcement Thursday.

Oroville California High Patrol officers stopped around 1:20 a.m. to assist a group of people who had pulled over due to a flat tire on northbound Highway 70 near Palermo Road. Officers learned one of the vehicle’s occupants, Antonio Uriostegui, 40, of Olivehurst, had an $11,000 outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor, according to a CHP press release

Officers arrested Uriostegui and searched the vehicle, where they found 0.7 grams of what they believed to be meth. As they looked for more evidence and checked on the two women with Uriostegui, he escaped his handcuffs and drove off in the CHP patrol car, the release states.

After about 3 miles, Uriostegui pulled over and began fleeing on foot. Oroville CHP contacted multiple agencies and the search for Uriostegui began.

More than 12 hours after officers had first come into contact with Uriostegui, the Oroville and Yubasutter CHP received a call about a suspicious person walking in a field with handcuffs. CHP officers with air support, Yuba County sheriff’s deputies, and a Yuba City police dog and handler descended on Uriostegui’s location.

As law enforcement closed in, Uriostegui stole a golf cart from a nearby farming operation and drove through an orchard before authorities were finally able to apprehend him, the release states. Business hours: Monday-friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.