Armed Parolee Flees CHP, Martinez PD On Sunday

by Bay City News and Jim Caroompas

A wild car chase that began in Martinez on Sunday, Sept. 11 ended in Concord when a suspect police say is armed and dangerous hijacked a vehicle, careened through that city and ultimately got away. 

According to reports and police radio activity, Dustin Edward Cooper, a parolee, was driving on eastbound Highway Four Sunday morning around 11:40 a.m. in Martinez with CHP in pursuit of the suspect. Cooper began a wild chase through the city, at times going the wrong direction on Highway Four, Morello Avenue, and Alhambra Avenue as CHP and Martinez Police gave chase. Cooper eventually fled to Concord.

Concord police said they were notified around noon Sunday that a
vehicle being pursued by the California Highway Patrol was entering the city.

Police did not join the pursuit at that time, and the chase ended when the suspect abandoned his vehicle on southbound state Highway 242 just north of Willow Pass Road and fled on foot.     

A short time later, however, a carjacking was reported on the 1500
block of Pine Street. Police suspected the suspect in the carjacking to be the same as in the pursuit, given the location, timing and matching
descriptions.      

The carjacked vehicle was driven erratically through Concord,
causing multiple reports of reckless driving and hit and run accidents. It was ultimately found unoccupied on the 4800 block of Myrtle Drive.

The suspect remains at large.

Anyone with information on this incident or the suspect is asked
to contact Concord police at (925) 671-3030 or the confidential "tip line" at (925)603-5836.