19 Aug. 13, at approx. 12:15 pm, the Sonora Police Department
received a report of a motorcyclist wearing a red helmet, riding a red
BMW motorcycle, driving recklessly on Mono Way. Officers’ checked Mono
Way and the surrounding area and was unable to locate the motorcyclist.
At approx. 12:45 pm, while Officers were conducting field
sobriety tests on an unrelated traffic stop, a motorcyclist matching the
early description drove up to their location and abruptly turned
around.
One of the Officers was able to return to their patrol vehicle
and get behind the motorcycle. When the Officer activated his emergency
lights to stop the motorcyclist, the motorcyclist accelerated and took
off. The Officer pursued the vehicle on City streets at speeds reaching
50 MPH. The motorcyclist failed to stop for numerous stops signs while
the Officer was pursuing him.
When the motorcyclist reached the intersection of Columbia Drive
and Stewart Street, it failed to stop for the stop sign at the
intersection. The motorcycle was traveling at such a high rate of speed
it was unable to turn left or right at the T intersection.
The motorcyclist drove onto the front lawn of a residence at
the intersection; and attempted to make a U-Turn around a tree. While
doing so, the rider lost control as he started to turn around the tree.
The Officer positioned his vehicle on the opposite side of the tree and
the motorcyclist collided with the police vehicle.
The motorcyclist then took off running north on Columbia Way,
then turned and started running through the yards of residences. The
Officer chased the ride until losing him after the rider climbed over a
fence towards an open wooded area.
The motorcycle was determined to have been stolen from behind
the Murphy’s Hotel sometime after midnight on the 19 Aug. The ride is
described as a white male adult, approx. 5-9, slim build, shaved head,
wearing dark colored shorts and a dark colored shirt and carrying a red
motorcycle helmet.
Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to call the Sonora Police Department at 532-8141.
