Ceres, Modesto police officers and Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputies worked together to arrest a Ceres man who had just stolen a Jeep and burglarized a home on Sunday, July 15.

Police dispatchers received a 9:57 a.m. call about the theft and burglary in the 800 block of Rolling Oak involving a man and woman. Officer Jessica Graham took the report and relayed the license plate and suspect information to neighboring agencies. At 3:53 p.m. Modesto Police located the stolen Jeep near Seventh and B streets and followed it as it was driven onto southbound Highway 99.

Ceres officers intercepted the Jeep as it approached the Service Road overpass. The Jeep’s driver, Joaquin Mills, 26, of Ceres, exited at Keyes Road with officers attempting to stop him.  Mills sped westbound on Keyes Road, northbound on Central Avenue and westbound on Grayson Road. Because Mills was driving at dangerous speeds, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department deployed spike strips near Grayson and Crowslanding roads. One of the Jeep’s front tires deflated but but Mills continued to drive westbound on Grayson until he reached Ustick Road. There Ceres Police Officer Charles Rushing used a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to immobilize the Jeep.

Mills was arrested and admitted stealing the Jeep but refused to identify his female accomplice. Mills was booked for auto theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, fleeing or evading a police officer and violating probation.