Vehicle-theft suspect leads officers on pursuit in Modesto

A Modesto man was taken into custody on suspicion of vehicle theft after crashing a pickup while fleeing authorities early Wednesday.

After hearing a stolen-vehicle broadcast, an officer saw a truck matching the description leaving the Empire area about 2:30 a.m., Modesto police Sgt. Manuel Corona said.

The officer attempted to pull over the vehicle and a pursuit ensued. Other officers joined the pursuit – Central Valley TV reported that sheriff’s deputies and the California Highway Patrol assisted – and a spike strip was used to flatten a front tire of the truck, Corona said.

The driver continued through the airport area in the disabled truck and ended up driving down a Dry Creek embankment around South Morton Boulevard near the E.&J. Gallo Winery, the sergeant said.

The suspect – 27-year-old Mathew Aure – crossed Dry Creek on foot and was found hiding beneath railroad tracks on the Gallo property, Corona said.

Aure did not require medical treatment, though he apparently was suffering a sprained finger from an unrelated incident, Corona said.

Wednesday afternoon, Aure was being held without bail in the Stanislaus County Jail, charged with auto theft, possession of stolen property, reckless evasion of a peace officer, misdemeanor hit and run, and parole violation.

Aure has a history of auto theft. He was on parole Jan. 18, 2009, when he was caught behind the wheel of a 2004 Chevy Cavalier that had been stolen three days earlier. He was convicted of auto theft and sentenced to two years in prison.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 8:43 AM with the headline "Vehicle-theft suspect leads officers on pursuit in Modesto."