In a series of high-paced events today, law enforcement agencies embarked on an extended pursuit of a stolen vehicle which eventually ended near the city of Ione.
On the morning of September 19th, a white Chevy Astro Van reported stolen from Manteca was spotted by officers, triggering a chase that spanned from San Joaquin County into Amador County via Highway 88. The dramatic scene unfolded onto Highway 124, leading officers through the heart of Ione, passing Church and Main Streets. The van's wild run concluded as it ventured into a field, rendering it incapacitated.
Recognizing the proximity of the chase to Ione Elementary School, the Ione Police Department promptly issued a lockdown to ensure student safety. The suspense did not end with the van's halt. The suspect made a hasty exit on foot, darting eastward from Ione.
A collaborative search ensued, drawing efforts from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department, Manteca Police Department, and even aerial assistance from the Stockton Police Department’s Air Support Unit. Despite leveraging advanced thermal imaging technology to trace the suspect's movements, authorities could not apprehend him. An hour and a half later, the search was reluctantly called off.
Ione residents can breathe a sigh of relief, as the suspect is believed to have left the vicinity, posing no immediate threat to the local community. However, officials are still on high alert and urge any residents with pertinent information to reach out to dispatch at 209-223-6514.