Police chase "Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine" lookalike minivan

REDDING, Calif. -- A northern California woman led police on a chase Sunday while driving a minivan painted to look like the "Mystery Machine" from the cartoon "Scooby-Doo," according to officials in Redding, Calif.

Authorities are still searching for 51-year-old Sharon Kay Turman, who abandoned the distinctive blue and green vehicle shortly after officers ended their pursuit. Police said they decided that the chase was too dangerous after Turman ran several red lights, and drove onto a highway at a high rate of speed.

The chase began Sunday after the Shasta County Probation contacted the Redding Police Department to ask for assistance in tracking Turman down. She is accused of violating probation, police said. Redding Sgt. Mike Wood told 48 Hours' Crimesider that Turman and the 1994 Chrysler Town & County minivan were soon spotted.

"It did have the 'Mystery Machine' theme on it, so that was easy to pick up," Wood said.

Officers attempted to pull Turman over, but she fled, police said.

"Turman's speeds increased and she began to show a blatant disregard for motorist safety," police said in a press release Monday.

Shasta County Sheriff's deputies joined the pursuit, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter kept surveillance, police said.

"She was spotted by the helicopter abandoning the vehicle in an area of northwestern Tehama County. The vehicle was later located and impounded," the department said in its press release.

Police said Turman's current whereabouts are a mystery.

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• Police Chase