DUI Driver Arrested After Leading Police on a Pursuit & Stealing Multiple Cars

This afternoon, Clovis Police arrested the DUI driver of a stolen car after she intentionally rammed 2 police cars, crashed into other cars, and failed to stop for over 6 miles. At 12:30PM, officers responded to the Walmart at Shaw/Peach in Clovis for multiple calls related to an adult female who was causing a disturbance and appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. As officers arrived on scene, the female got into a car in the parking lot, intentionally backed into a police car with the emergency lights activated, and then drove forward, hitting another police car head on. The female then crashed into another parked car before speeding away westbound on Shaw, into Fresno. During the pursuit, the female hit at least 1 more car before hitting yet another car at Nees/First, which disabled the stolen car she was driving. Officers took the female into custody after she tried running from them after the crash.

As officers searched the stolen car she had been driving, they located several keys belonging to other Kia's. Their investigation led them to a parking lot near Fresno Yosemite International Airport, where they located 2 other stolen Kia Niro's, and 2 other Kia's that had attempted to have been stolen. The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Vanessa Sanchez. Sanchez received minor injuries from the multiple collisions and is being treated at a local hospital. She will be booked into Fresno County Jail and is facing several charges including assault with a deadly weapon, evading, DUI, hit and run, stealing 3 cars, and attempting to steal 2 others. Officers are working with Fresno Police regarding other possible crimes, including additional stolen cars. Sanchez was also arrested by Clovis Police twice last month for stealing 2 cars at that time as well.

We would like to thank Fresno Police for their assistance with today's incidents. Our officers will continue to work with our allied agencies to arrest Sanchez and hold her accountable for her criminal activity. Thankfully, no one else was injured during the pursuit and multiple crashes.