Car pursuit leads to arrest

After a high speed chase on July 1, Gary Burnette, 32, was arrested in Simi Valley and booked at Ventura County Jail for felony evading, grand theft auto and an outstanding felony arrest warrant.

At about 10:23 p.m., officer Joshua McAlister, on routine patrol near Erringer Road and Cochran Street, observed a vehicle matching the description of a locally stolen SUV. As he attempted to stop the vehicle to investigate, the driver fled.

Two Simi Valley Police Department patrol cars pursued the stolen vehicle through the city from Erringer to Stearns.

When the vehicle entered a residential area at high speed, the pursuit was discontinued due to the excessive danger. The officers followed slowly and at a distance and observed the suspect flee on foot in the area of Avenida Simi and Reservoir.

A perimeter was established and within five minutes the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

The vehicle was returned to its owner.