At about 6:00pm Sunday, Turlock Police Officer Khounlivong made a traffic stop at Grant Avenue and Chestnut Street.

Khounlivong made contact with and identified the vehicle’s driver, but his passenger refused to identify.

Khounlivong asked the driver to step out and while patting him down, the passenger climbed into the driver seat and drove off.

Officers pursued the vehicle and left the initial driver behind at the stop location.

The initial passenger drove to the alleyway behind a residence in the 5500 block of Eight Street in Keyes, where he ditched the vehicle and legbailed.

Officers and deputies set up a perimeter, but the suspect was able to make it out of it. The perimeter was eventually broken down.

The vehicle was towed.

Through investigation, the suspect was able to be identified and is now locally wanted.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist is encouraged to call Officer Khounlivong at 209-668-1200.