On Sunday, August 16th, 2020, at approximately 10:35 pm, the Turlock Police Department received a call of a violation of a domestic violence court order in the 800 block of Shawnan Dr. Officers responded to the residence but the suspect had fled prior to their arrival. A short time later, an officer located him in the area of the Carl’s Jr located at 100 N Walnut Rd. The officer attempted to make contact with the suspect, however, the suspect took off southbound on N Walnut Rd. A pursuit was initiated.

The suspect then took officers on a chase throughout southwest Turlock and then went southbound on the Golden State overpass towards Merced County. He then made a u-turn on the Golden State overpass returning to Turlock and then started going around in circles in southeast Turlock. Eventually, he went eastbound on Romeo Ln, which happened to be a cul-de-sac, and then turned around to go westbound on the sidewalk. At this time, he sideswiped a parked vehicle. Officers attempted to turn around in time to get behind him, however, lost him as he made an eastbound turn on Backus Ln. Officers located his vehicle abandoned in the 1600 block of Rainer Way.

Officer Donna Anthieny then brought her new Canine, Bravo, into action for the first time. Canine Bravo started to track the suspect using an article of clothing that was found. Canine Bravo located the suspect just outside of a backyard that he had jumped into to hide. He was held at gunpoint and then taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect, later identified as James Soto, 55, of Turlock, was booked into Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of felony evasion, hit and run, violation of a domestic violence order, as well as an unrelated information and belief for burglary and theft from the elderly/disabled.