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ITD crew assists in catching of fleeing motorists

Bonnie and Clyde might have gotten away with it. They had successfully eluded police. Unfortunately for them, ITD crews were in the right place at the right time.

On Tuesday, a man took his 2007 brown Ford F-150 pickup truck to a local convenience store. He left his keys in the truck, however, and it drove away without him.

The following morning, ISP Trooper Shawn Klitch gave pursuit after the truck past him at 84 mph. The truck had not yet been reported as stolen, so speeding was the only known infraction at that point. The truck picked up speed as the ISP trooper gave chase, eventually toping out at over 100 mph, weaving onto and off of the freeway by Caldwell.

The chase continued toward Middleton and old Highway 30, approaching Farmway Road, when ISP lost sight of the vehicle. An ITD crew, led by Jim Darling, happened to spot the fleeing vehicle, however, and reported it to the Canyon County Sheriff’s office. Officers caught up to the vehicle again as it pulled into a residence in Caldwell.

Bonnie (20-year-old Jerica Lee of Boise) and Clyde (27-year-old Paul J. Takagi of Boise) jumped out and led police on a foot chase before officers found the woman hiding in a ditch and the man hiding in an old fireworks stand. He was apprehended, and no injuries were reported.

Both are being held in the Canyon County jail on felony eluding charges, with other charges pending.

Officers found an empty holster in the vehicle but found no weapon. A large number of power construction tools also were found in the vehicle, as well as other items. The truck’s owner indicated the equipment had not been in the truck previously, and officers are working to determine if there is a link to previously reported thefts of construction tools in the area.