Ceres Police: Wrong-way car on 99 was stolen

An auto theft suspect crashed into the center divider of Highway 99 in Ceres on Wednesday after driving toward oncoming traffic during rush hour.

About 5:15 p.m., the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force spotted the stolen Honda Accord on Richland Avenue and followed it as it turned eastbound on Hatch then made a U-turn, said Ceres police Sgt. Joseph Wren.

When the car again reached Richland, the StanCATT officer attempted to pull it over but the suspect continued west then turned south onto the offramp of northbound Highway 99.

Wren said the car continued south for a short time, then swerved to avoid oncoming traffic and crashed into the center divider.

The driver and passenger ran from the car. The passenger got away but officers apprehended the driver, 44-year-old Robert Olmost.

Before being taken to jail, Wren said, Olmost suffered a seizure and was taken to a local hospital.

As of Wednesday evening, the suspect was still at the hospital but will likely face charges including vehicle theft and felony evading.

This story was originally published June 3, 2015 at 7:22 PM with the headline "Ceres Police: Wrong-way car on 99 was stolen."