Eureka Police are trying to find a man who allegedly stole a pickup from outside a Circle K gas Station, 100 Old Towne Drive. The pickup was stolen at about 4:15 p.m. Sept. 17 and recovered a few hours later, police reported.
Officers were called to the gas station after a white 2003 Ford Ranger with a wooden front bumper was stolen while the owner was inside the convenience store. The owner told police he had left the pickup unlocked with the keys in it, the report said.
An officer spotted the pickup on southbound Hwy. 109 while it was backed up with heavy traffic. The officer pulled behind the pickup and turned on the patrol vehicle’s lights, according to the report.
The man driving the pickup reportedly pulled onto the right shoulder of the highway and fled from the officer. After the man allegedly drove around a construction sign on the shoulder, he swerved into a northbound lane, and the officer stopped the pursuit. The officer last saw the man turning onto Hwy. W and traveling east, the report said.
After ending the pursuit, the officer went to the gas station, where a witness identified the alleged thief. Officers also were able to identify the man from surveillance footage from the business, according to the report.
A few hours after the chase, the pickup was recovered in the 3000 block of Clearwood Drive in Eureka. Officers believe the pickup may have run out of gas. The vehicle was returned to its owner, the report said.
As of Sept. 9, Eureka Police had not located the suspect, Lt. Michael Werges said.