Surveillance footage shows 28-year-old Isaac Paval reach through a rolled-down window of a parked, fully marked Sacramento Police SUV and drive off, prompting a 40-plus mile, high-speed pursuit on southbound Highway 99. CHP units attempted a PIT maneuver near Turner Road but the chase continued until Paval exited the moving SUV and was arrested near Lodi. No officers were injured; Paval was taken for medical evaluation and faces multiple felony charges. Sacramento PD is reviewing vehicle-security and scene procedures.
Suspect Reaches Through Open Window, Steals Marked Police SUV — Triggers 40-Mile Highway 99 Chase
Image Credit: KCRA 3 / YouTube.
A routine vandalism call in Sacramento turned into a surreal and dangerous multi-agency pursuit after a suspect reached through a rolled-down window of a parked, fully marked Sacramento Police Department SUV and drove off. The theft led to a more than 40-mile high-speed chase down southbound Highway 99, with speeds reported up to 100 mph and multiple agencies involved.
What Happened
Just after 12:30 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to reports of vandalism near Marysville Boulevard and South Avenue. A woman told police a man who appeared homeless threw an object at her vehicle, chased her wielding a stick and struck a window. Officers located a person matching the description and attempted to detain him; the suspect fled on foot.
How The SUV Was Taken
Surveillance video shows 28-year-old Isaac Paval of Sacramento running past one patrol vehicle, trying its door and finding it locked. He then approached a second marked SUV with the window rolled down, reached inside, unlocked the door, climbed in and drove away while officers sprinted after him.
High-Speed Pursuit
Paval merged onto southbound Highway 99, where the stolen, fully marked SUV was pursued by a line of squad cars. Speeds were reported near 100 mph as the chase crossed county lines and continued more than 40 miles before reaching the Turner Road area near Lodi. California Highway Patrol units then assumed responsibility and attempted a PIT maneuver near Highway 99 and Turner Road; their contact with the stolen vehicle produced debris but did not immediately stop the pursuit.
Arrest And Aftermath
At some point later in the pursuit, Paval slowed the SUV, opened the door while it was still rolling and stepped out onto the highway. He was taken into custody near Lodi; no officers were reported injured. Paval was transported to a hospital for evaluation as a precaution and is expected to be booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on multiple felony charges after medical clearance.
Questions And Policy Issues
Officials have not released bodycam footage, an incident report or charging documents as of Friday. It remains unclear whether keys were left inside, the engine was running, or the vehicle was otherwise unsecured — though broadcast video clearly shows a window rolled down far enough to allow access. Sacramento Police Department acknowledged the lapse and said it is reviewing what worked, what failed and what changes might prevent a repeat.
Context: Paval is on pretrial probation for a DUI and has a known criminal history in Sacramento, a factor that intensifies scrutiny of how he was able to steal a marked patrol vehicle and lead officers on a long freeway pursuit.
The incident highlights that vehicle security and scene protocols matter as much as technology like GPS tracking or remote shutdowns. A single preventable lapse tied up CHP resources, closed highway lanes and placed civilian drivers at risk — raising broader questions about procedure and training.
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