Cupertino-to-Oakland pursuit ends in burglary suspect’s arrest

CUPERTINO >> One person was arrested Wednesday in connection with a string of vehicle burglaries in Cupertino that led to a pursuit all the way to Oakland, authorities said.

The burglaries were reported in the parking lot of the BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse at 10690 N. De Anza Blvd. around 7: 30 p.m., said Sgt. Michael Low of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. One victim said his car window was smashed and a bag was taken.

Low said deputies searching the area spotted a 2015 Honda Civic driving slowly through the parking lot that they deemed suspicious. The deputies tried to stop the driver, who led them on a chase that would last about 30 minutes.

The California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit in Fremont, at one point setting up spike strips on Interstate 880 near Mowry Avenue to try to stop the Honda, but the driver eluded them.

When the f leeing car reached Bancroft Avenue in Oakland, the driver stopped and tried to run away, but he was caught and arrested, the Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release. Three other people who were riding in the car also ran off and were not immediately found.

Sheriff’s investigators traveled to Oakland and said a search of the car revealed a trove of stolen items, including hospital bags, tablets, cellphones and laptop computers. A disabled parking placard and an employee badge for a health care worker at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View also were recovered.

They also determined that the Honda was reported stolen in San Pablo. The driver was taken back to Santa Clara County, where he was booked at the Main Jail on suspicion of felony evading, vehicle theft, burglary, grand theft, receiving a stolen vehicle, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools.

Anyone with information about the case can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 408808- 4500 or leave an anonymous tip at 408-808- 4431.