Officers Take Driver Of Stolen Big Rig Into Custody Following Hours-Long Pursuit
YUCCA VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — California Highway Patrol officers Tuesday took a suspect into custody following an hours-long pursuit of an allegedly stolen big rig through the Inland Empire.
The pursuit began in the Apple Valley area at around 10:30 a.m. The driver led officers southbound through San Bernardino County on the 15 Freeway and then eastbound through Riverside County on the 60 Freeway, and then the 10 Freeway.
The pursuit continued along Highway 62 -- first northbound, and then southbound -- near Joshua Tree National Park.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m., the big rig pulled over at the Whitewater Rest Stop along the 10 Freeway and the driver surrendered to officers.
The truck was stolen from ACT Enviro, a Sunnyvale company that transports hazardous waste, discarded electronics and other payloads, the company confirmed Tuesday.
The company said the truck was hauling 76 drums of non-explosive, non-radioactive material.
"One of our trucks was stolen last night in Southern California," the company posted on its website Tuesday. "We have tracked it and law enforcement is in pursuit. We have been working with all relevant authorities and will continue to do so. We will provide more information as it becomes available."
The original driver of the truck was reportedly safe. He noticed his truck was gone when he woke up.
The main GPS tracking device was disabled, ACT Enviro said. The company was able to locate the truck using a secondary tracking device in the trailer. That location was forwarded to California Highway Patrol Officers at about 9:30 a.m.
CHP officer Brian Alvarez said the truck was stolen from Bakersfield.
The driver -- identified Tuesday afternoon as James Edgley, 48, of Victorville -- reportedly told officers by phone that he did not want to go back to jail.
