Speeder arrested after chase in Sonora

In a chase with speeds of up to 90 miles per hour, authorities in Sonora and Oakdale joined forces on Tuesday morning in a pursuit that ended with an arrest.

Steven Machado, spokesman for the Sonora Area CHP, said his office was notified of a car theft at the Rush Creek Lodge near Yosemite, and a lodge employee reported the stolen vehicle.

“We were able to intercept the vehicle, but then the driver fled from us,” Machado explained.

Officers then began a pursuit and positioned themselves behind the vehicle in the area of ​​Highway 120 and Sims Road in Sonora.

“Two of our CHP officers pursued the driver,” Machado said.

As the vehicle headed west, the Modesto CHP office and Oakdale police were notified.

Machado said the pursuit of the stolen truck began at about 8:13 a.m. in Sonora on Tuesday morning, Aug. 20, and ended at 8:51 a.m. in Oakdale.

The driver, who was subsequently arrested on multiple charges and booked into the Tuolumne County Jail, was identified as Dakota Rhea, 32, of Stockton.

He drove the truck to Oakdale, authorities said, and ended up at a dead end, but tried to continue driving alongside the nearby railroad tracks and eventually fled with the vehicle near Davitt and Birdwell.

“We actually took him into custody for the CHP,” said Oakdale Police Chief Jerry Ramar.

He said his officers began pursuit after Rhea fled the scene on foot and were able to quickly arrest him near Gilbert and Birdwell.

Machado said Rhea was charged with possession of stolen property, fleeing an officer, resisting arrest and auto theft. He also has an out-of-county warrant, Machado added, and he is believed to be responsible for two other auto thefts. The first of the day was in Galt, the second in Sonora and the last in Rush Creek.

“The Oakdale police helped us, the Modesto police helped us,” Machado said, and the arrest was ultimately made by the Sonora police.

There were no injuries in the incident.