Tuolumne County fugitive captured at Salida-area motel

A man who authorities say led them on a 25-mile pursuit before escaping last week is behind bars at the Tuolumne County jail on Tuesday on several felony charges after his arrest in Stanislaus County on Monday night.

After receiving a tip, Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies surrounded a Salida-area motel and captured Joshua Jeff Willis, 31, as he attempted to flee out a rear bathroom window, authorities said Tuesday.

Willis’ arrest ends a weeklong search for him after authorities say he led Tuolumne County deputies on a long pursuit that ended near the Red Hills area on Nov. 3.

The incident began when three attempted burglaries were reported in Tuolumne County. The investigation into the burglaries led deputies to the Star Mobile Home Estates. When the deputies approached two suspects, one of them – later identified as Willis – jumped into a white Ford pickup and sped away, authorities said.

One deputy gave chase while two others arrested James Wood, 31, of Sonora, the other suspect.

The pursuit of Willis covered 25 miles in the Jamestown, Moccasin and Chinese camps areas. It ended on Highway 108 near Keystone when Willis abandoned his pickup and ran toward the Red Hills, authorities said.

Deputies gave chase on foot. The foot pursuit was terminated when it reached heavy brush.

The area was searched for several hours using a helicopter from the Stanislaus County sheriff’s office, but Willis was not found.

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 9:48 AM with the headline "Tuolumne County fugitive captured at Salida-area motel."