Police Pursuit Leads to Suspect Driving Stolen Semi-Truck into Kern River

Staff Writer

Thursday, May 7th, 2020

BAKERSFIELD, Ca. – The pursuit of a stolen semi-truck ended in the Kern River on Saturday morning, authorities said.

At around 6:30 a.m. officers responded to a report regarding a stolen semi-truck. The truck was stolen from a truck yard located at 4101 Jewett Avenue. In order to steal the semi-truck, the suspect rammed through a gate as he fled from the business.The truck was equipped with GPS, which helped the victim locate the victim in the 1700 block of Golden State Avenue, where the suspect rammed the victim’s vehicle before fleeing again.

Officers located the suspect and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to yield. Officers pursued the suspect from several miles until the suspect drove into the Kern River near Round Mountain Road, bear Hart Park. He attempted to flee in foot but was apprehended with the help of a Police K-9. The suspect, later identified as Matthew Myers, 36, was arrested for vehicle theft, felony evading, grand theft, looting, assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and resisting arrest. He was transported and booked into the Kern County Jail.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.