West Point, CA..On 12-1-17 at approx. 1800 hours a Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputy initiated a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle for a minor traffic infraction on Pine Street in West Point. The vehicle failed to yield to the marked patrol car’s emergency lights and siren. The suspect vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed fleeing westbound on Highway 26 and forcing another motorist off the roadway. The pursuit was terminated a short time later for safety reasons but the suspect vehicle was seen on Sawyer Road near West Point. Deputies familiar with the area knew that Sawyer Road dead ends so a perimeter was established. When the suspect vehicle attempted to leave the area a short time later, deputies conducted a felony car stop and arrested the driver without further incident. Deputies discovered two different license plates displayed on the suspect vehicle, and neither plate belonged to that car. A check of the VIN number revealed that vehicle was stolen out of Manteca. During a search of the vehicle, deputies seized methamphetamine and a key that had been altered to be used as a burglary tool.

The driver, Lester Dias (age 32 from Escalon) was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on a felony warrant out of San Joaquin County as well as the following local charges:
2800.2 CVC – felony reckless evading a peace officer
10851(a)CVC – vehicle theft
496(d)PC – possession of a stolen vehicle
466PC – possession of burglary tools
11377(a)H&S – possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
4462.5CVC – unlawful display of evidence of vehicle registration
14601.1(a)CVC – driving on a suspended license
Bail $105,000

San Joaquin County Warrant
487 PC – possession of stolen property
496DPC – possession of stolen vehicle
10851CVC – vehicle theft
Bail $25,000