COACHELLA, Calif. -- A driver who led California Highway Patrol officers on a freeway chase in a stolen pickup at speeds up to 100 mph, while throwing jewelry out a window, was arrested in Coachella on Tuesday, a CHP officer said.
Jason Perrone, 39, of Adelanto, was booked on suspicion of auto theft and failing to yield around after his arrest about 1:30 p.m. after running over spike strips laid in his path, according to CHP Officer Ramon Perez.
Perrone was throwing jewelry out of the vehicle on Interstate 10, Perez said. It was unclear where the jewelry came from or how much was recovered.
Someone who was in the truck with Perrone for part of the chase was dropped off along the way and arrested on suspicion of public drunkenness, he said.
The chase started about 11:50 a.m. on northbound state Route 71 near Euclid Avenue when a CHP officer tried to stop the white 2001 GMC pickup because it had been reported stolen, Perez said.
The chase went north on SR 71, east on Route 60, south on Interstate 15, east on the eastbound Riverside (91) Freeway and, finally, east on the 10, Perez said.
Once the tires were shredded, the truck came to a stop east of Dillon Road, where Perrone was arrested without a struggle, Perez said.
