On Tuesday, August 9th, 2022, at 2:36 am, the Modesto Police Department was dispatched to a reported auto burglary that had just occurred at a residence in the 2800 block of Sapphire Dr, Modesto, after a man had been seen stealing items from an equipment trailer in front of the residence.

While responding, one of the officers observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle with garden equipment in plain view traveling northbound on Claus Rd approaching E Briggsmore Ave.

The officer then observed the vehicle violate the California Vehicle Code so he attempted to make a traffic stop on it, however, the driver, later identified as Joseph Jones, 35, of Waterford, failed to stop for the officer and a pursuit ensued.

Jones led the officer eastbound on Parker Rd before crashing into a street sign at Wellsford Rd and then backing into the officer’s vehicle which constituted aggravated assault against the officer.

After backing into the officer’s vehicle, Jones continued to flee southbound on Wellsford Rd, eastbound on Dusty Rd, and then southbound on Albers Rd. Jones continued southbound onto Geer Rd until entering Turlock and turning westbound on W Springer Dr. Jones did hit spike strips at Geer Rd and Service Rd, however, they did not have much effect.

Jones then continued westbound onto Sandy Way, southbound on Magnolia Dr, and then westbound on Ashford Dr. From there, he turned southbound on Crowell Rd before crashing into a front yard at the T-intersection of W Tuolumne Rd with Crowell Rd.

With the assistance of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and Turlock Police Department, a high risk stop was conducted and Jones was taken into custody at gunpoint without further incident.

A search of Jones’ vehicle incident led to the discovery of the property stolen from the original equipment trailer burglary. They were returned back to their rightful owner.

Jones was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm against a peace officer, flight from a peace officer with disregard to public safety, burglary, hit and run with property damage, possession of methamphetamines, driving without a valid driver’s license, reckless driving, possession of burglary tools, and driving without evidence of financial responsibility.

No one was injured as a result of neither of the three collisions.