The man responsible for stealing a semi truck and leading police on a dangerous chase was previously on the county’s ‘most wanted’ list, an investigation reveals.
The theft and subsequent chase began on Friday, November 12th in Red Bluff, California.
According to ABC 7 News, the suspect, 34-year-old Trey King, initially stole a rig from Ben’s Truck Equipment on Montgomery Road in Red Bluff and crashed it into a pickup before fleeing the scene in the rig. The owner, Ben Sale, then tracked the rig to Rancho Tehama and was headed to retrieve it when he saw it pass him in the opposite direction. Sale then contacted police who began pursuing the stolen truck.
The California Highway Patrol Officer eventually got the rig to stop just north of Ohm Road, but the suspect suddenly shifted the rig into reverse and headed for the police cruiser at a high rate of speed, all while driving backwards. The rig then struck the cruiser, smashing the front of the car and spinning it sideways.
King then fled the scene, still in the truck, and got stuck in a ditch before continuing on and attempting to ram several other police vehicles. King then bailed out of the rig and broke into a pickup truck, continuing the chase along Interstate 5 and driving into oncoming traffic. Eventually, police called off the chase in the interest of public safety.
A short while later, King sideswiped a semi truck, struck a bridge abutment, abandoned the pickup, and attempted to carjack several other vehicles before police eventually arrived, tased him, and took him into custody.
Upon investigation, police recovered an imitation handgun and two meth pipes, and it was discovered that King had previously been listed as Tehama County’s Most Wanted.
King is now facing charges of DUI, evading, and assault with a deadly weapon.