Wild Car Chase Ends In Arrest

Clayton police arrested a 49-year-old man after a car chase and manhunt early Saturday morning.

The suspect, who has been identified as Clayton resident Thomas White, refused to pull over after officers tried to stop him for speeding at around 2:40 a.m., according to Clayton police.

With officers following behind him, White drove his vehicle over the center divider on Marsh Creek Road near Diablo View Lane and crashed into a raised planted shoulder area, police said.

The crash didn't end the chase, as police say White was able to drive off in the damaged vehicle and escape from officers in the downtown area.

Officers collected evidence at the scene of the crash, which allowed them to identify White's vehicle. The vehicle was then located at a dead end portion of Regency Drive.

Clayton Police called Pleasant Hill's Police Department's K-9 unit for assistance at 3:15 a.m. About an hour later, the K-9 unit led officers from the abandoned car to the Dana Hills neighborhood, and after a brief foot chase, White was apprehended in his driveway.

White was booked into jail on charges of felony reckless evading, hit and run, resisting arrest, being under the influence of a controlled substance and driving under the influence. He's being held at Contra Costa County Jail in lieu of $55,000 bail.