High Speed Chase in Concord Ends in Emeryville Crash

A high-speed police chase that started when officers spotted a stolen vehicle in Concord Saturday night ended with a crash in Emeryville, a police lieutenant said early this morning.

The pursuit started around 9:15 p.m. Saturday when Concord police officers spotted a 2003 Acura sedan with three occupants near Concord and Commerce avenues. The vehicle had no license plates and its headlights were off, Lt. Darrell Graham said.

Officers tried to stop the car, but the driver sped away and onto state Highway 242.

Police followed the car south on Highway 242 and off of the freeway in Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill, Graham said.

From there, multiple Concord police units trailed the suspects onto southbound interstate Highway 680.

The suspects then led police west on state Highway 24, racing along the freeway at speeds between 80 and 90 miles per hours, Graham said.

When the chase reached the Caldecott Tunnel, police turned the pursuit over to California Highway Patrol officers, who followed the suspects into Emeryville.

Graham said the chase ended when the suspects attempted to make a U-turn but instead crashed into a cinderblock wall near the intersection of 59th and Beaudry streets in Emeryville.

Officers arrested the Acura's driver, 25-year-old Robert Vella of Daly City and two passengers, San Francisco resident Milagro De Jesus Moraga, 20, and 29-year-old Adonis Hempel of Oakland, according to police.

Hempel is on parole for previous property crimes, Graham said.

All three were booked at the Concord Police Department.

No injuries were reported in connection with the high-speed chase and suspects' collision.

- Bay City News