Jamestown, CA…From Sonora CHP…On Monday, April 16, just after 3:25 am, CHP officers observed a black Jeep Cherokee traveling westbound SR-120/108 west of Obyrnes Ferry Road at a high rate of speed, its rear taillights were not working and its rear license plate was missing. The officers attempted to make an enforcement stop and the vehicle failed to yield to the emergency lights and siren. A pursuit ensued traversing several county roads. The Jeep was all over the road and even ran off of the road a few times. The Jeep slowed and before coming to a complete stop, both occupants exited and fled on foot. Since the Jeep was still in motion, the officers were unable to immediately pursue the fleeing suspects.

Once stopped, the officers removed the ignition key from the Jeep and began searching for the fleeing suspects. An extensive search of the area was conducted on foot with the assistance of Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department (SCSD) deputies and one of their canines. At that time, no one was located. The CHP officers found several large yard maintenance equipment items in the Jeep, which appeared new and unused. Based upon the new condition of the yard maintenance equipment, Tuolumne and Calaveras County Sheriff Departments were contacted and neither had a report of thefts for those types of items at that time. At approximately 7:15 am, a property owner (in Stanislaus County) reported a male subject trespassing on his property. The property owner held the male subject at gunpoint until SCSD and CHP units arrived to investigate.

It was subsequently determined that the trespasser was the passenger of the Jeep involved in the pursuit. He was identified as 39 year old Sonora resident, Kenneth Donald Carnes. After 8 am, an SCSD Chief reported that he located another party walking on Willms Rd south of SR-120 and detained him. A CHP officer responded to the Deputy’s location and determined it was the driver from the pursuit. The driver was identified as 31 year old Oakdale resident, Matthew Tobias Ayers.

That same morning, Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department investigated a commercial burglary at Young’s Copperopolis Ace Hardware, in which the front doors were smashed in and several power tools were stolen. The stolen items matched the description of the power tools located in the Jeep and the serial numbers were subsequently confirmed to be the stolen items. Ayers was booked into the Tuolumne County Jail for Reckless Evading a Peace Officer, Possession of Stolen Property, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, and Resisting, Obstructing or Delaying of a Peace Officer. Carnes was booked into the Tuolumne County Jail for Possession of stolen property and Resisting, Obstructing or Delaying of a Peace Officer.