A Santa Rosa police officer early Monday spotted a stolen car traveling on West Steele Lane, leading to a short, fast pursuit as the driver ran stop signs and red lights before the car stopped and the driver was arrested.
The pursuit started at about 1:25 a.m. when Officer Michael Spediacci saw the car near Plata Court, said Sgt. David Boettger.
The officer tried to pull the driver over, but the man kept driving west, reaching speeds of 70 mph while ignoring the stop lights.
Near North Street the stolen car had mechanical problems and stopped. Spediacci arrested driver Dan Cotton, 22, of Santa Rosa, who was taken to Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property and drugs and reckless evading. Cotton also was wanted by police on three misdemeanor warrants, Boettger said.
Spediacci has a knack for finding stolen cars, Boettger said. Since February, the officer has spotted 12 stolen cars and arrested the drivers.
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