Monterey woman arrested in Redwood City after driving a stolen tow truck, officers say
REDWOOD CITY Calif. (KION-TV)- Redwood City Police arrested a 35-year-old Monterey woman after leading police on a car chase while driving a stolen tow truck.
Investigators said they received reports of a stolen tow truck at Enterprise Rent-A-Car on the 300 block of El Camino Real on Friday night.
Officers said that the woman who was identified as 35-year-old Laura Kettel had the stolen truck.
Police were able to find the tow truck at the Jack in the Box restaurant in San Carlos. Officers attempted a high-risk traffic stop as Kettell re-entered the truck.
Officers said that Kettel rammed into two police vehicles and caused major damage.
An officer with the Redwood City Police Department was injured and was treated at a local hospital. The officer was later released from the hospital from their injuries.
In a press release, officers said that one police vehicle got pushed a significant distance through the parking lot and the officer barley escaped injury.
The tow truck fled towards Highway 101 and officers initiated a pursuit when the tow truck did not yield and was traveling 80 to 90 miles per hour.
The California Highway Patrol got requested and took over the pursuit. Menlo Park Police was able to catch up the vehicle on Highways 85 and 101.
The tow truck went across the roadway and hit another motorist in which the chase was called off. Police said the motorist was found to be unharmed.
The California Highway Patrol spotted the tow truck on Highway 85 but the CHP resumed the chase.
Kettel hit the brakes and the patrol vehicle crashed into the tow truck. The patrol vehicle was disabled according to investigators.
Redwood City Police said there was a GPS tracer on the tow truck and they were able to monitor the truck's movements.
Kettel proceeded to drive back to Redwood City and parked the tow truck near the 1000 block of Silver Hill Road. Kettel allegedly burglarized a home with a nanny and children at the time.
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office were requested and they tried to spike strip the car but they were unsuccessful.
Redwood City Police was able to locate the tow truck at a Planet Fitness parking lot on the 200 block of Walnut Street.
Investigators said that Kettle entered the Planet Fitness and assaulted her boyfriend who works at the gym.
Officers were able to swarm the tow truck and a Redwood City K9 was deployed to detain the suspect.
The K9 bit Kettle on the hip where she stopped resisting and was taken into custody.
Kettel was treated for her injuries and was later booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility. She was out on bail for a prior domestic violence incident and a residential burglary four days prior.
Redwood City Police said Kettel was booked for assault with a deadly weapon, failure to yield, vehicle theft, residential burglary, domestic violence among other charges.
