Interrupted burglary gives way to foot chase Interrupted burglary gives way to foot chase (January 06, 2006)

Suspect jumps in getaway car, fails to elude police
by Rebecca Guyon

It was a real life cops and robbers chase Tuesday--one even Pleasanton police usually only watch on TV--when a man interrupted what police say was a burglary in progress at his home on Riesling Drive. The alleged victim gave chase on foot, lost sight of the suspect, and called police on his cell phone. Fifteen officers arrived on the scene.

The homeowner, Jeffrey Wortham, was first alerted to the alleged crime in progress when he returned to his home at approximately noon on Tuesday and found several packed suitcases sitting in the front room, said Detective Aaron Fountain. In the garage, Wortham told police he discovered a man stealing his daughter's bike. Wortham said he grabbed the bike from the man and struggled with him. The man let go of the bike and fled on foot, Fountain said. That's when Wortham gave chase, but lost sight of the alleged burglar when he ducked into an apartment complex at the intersection of Palomino Drive and Norton Way.

It was then Wortham called the police and 15 officers arrived on the scene to set up a perimeter: officers stationed at intersections around the area where the suspect was last seen so as to prevent his escape, said Sergeant Suzanne Soberanes who lead the search.

"We set up a perimeter to isolate him and called out our canine units and CHP helicopters to search the area," Soberanes said. "But before we began our search with the dogs, the suspect was seen getting into a car within the perimeter and an officer arrested him."

Police said the suspect had gotten into a Ford Mustang which had pulled into the Old Romley's lot in the Vintage Hills shopping center at the intersection of Bernal Avenue and Tawny Drive.

Christopher Ferris, a 32-year-old white male from Oakland, was arrested at the scene for burglary and robbery and is currently in Santa Rita Jail, Fountain said. The robbery charges resulted from his alleged physical confrontation with the victim over the bicycle. The victim sustained a minor cut to his forehead during the struggle with Ferris when the bike hit him, police said. The unidentified driver of the vehicle, from Dublin, was arrested, but told police he did not know a burglary was in progress and was released pending further investigation, Soberanes said.

"I don't know how (Ferris) couldn't of been aware of the police activity going on," Soberanes said. "I don't know what he was thinking. Maybe he thought we didn't have a good enough description or he didn't think we'd see him, but we have pretty good officers out there who were on their toes."

After the arrest, a stolen car from Oakland filled with stolen goods and syringes was recovered in the area. Wortham told police he saw Ferris try to enter the car, but then give up and continue running. An investigation is ongoing to determine if any other possible burglary victims can be identified.

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