Theft suspects flee from traffic stop in Fairfield
(Graphic by Solano NewsNet)
What started as a routine theft investigation turned into a manhunt that drew a police response from three law enforcement agencies on Tuesday.
Around 3:30 p.m., police in Vacaville were alerted to a theft at a home improvement store along Orange Drive.
A loss prevention officer reported observing several people stealing power tools from the store. The security officer was able to give police a detailed description of the suspects, as well as a car associated with the theft.
Within minutes, Vacaville patrol officers located the vehicle driving along west-bound Interstate 80 near Fairfield. A traffic stop was implemented, with the car coming to a stop along Waterman Boulevard.
During the stop, two people fled from the scene. Initial reports indicated the two were hiding in the backyard of homes along nearby Clipper Ship Drive, with one suspect jumping a wall that separates the neighborhood from the freeway.
Officers from Vacaville, Fairfield and the Solano County Sheriff's Department attempted to locate the two suspects. They were not in custody as of Tuesday evening.
Police later learned that the vehicle associated with the theft may have been carjacked. A fully-loaded magazine associated with a Glock-style firearm was recovered from the car, according to dispatches reviewed by Solano NewsNet.
The female driver of the car was detained by police. No other information was available as of Friday evening.