Brief car chase through Modesto

Sheriff’s deputies engaged in a brief high-speed pursuit of a stolen vehicle through Modesto late Saturday afternoon.

Lt. Mike Parker of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department said that around 4:30 p.m., deputies spotted a 2002 blue Ford Mustang on Ninth Street and River Road that came back as stolen. After following it for a short period, deputies attempted to make a stop, at which point the driver and occupant sped off, traveling northbound on Ninth Street.

Deputies pursued and the Modesto Police Department was called in to assist as the car reached speeds of 100 mph. After about 5 miles, the Mustang came to the intersection of Ninth Street and Briggsmore Avenue. At that point, Parker said, the call was made to terminate the chase for public safety.

“At that time of day, with traffic getting heavier on a holiday weekend, we made the determination that the public safety was more valuable,” Parker said.

The Mustang turned onto the freeway onramp and was last seen headed northbound on Highway 99.

This story was originally published September 5, 2015 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Brief car chase through Modesto."