Man Driving Stolen Cab Leads Cops On Chase From Hospital

SANTA ROSA, CA — A man stole a taxicab outside a Santa Rosa hospital early Monday, then led police on a lengthy pursuit, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

It started around 1:30 a.m. Monday when SRPD received a report of a vehicle theft that had just taken place. It was reported that a man, later identified as 39-year-old Mario Christopher Territo, was leaving the hospital and had a voucher for a cab service ride.

"As the cab driver arrived at the hospital to pick up Territo, he briefly exited the vehicle leaving the engine running," SRPD Sgt. Rick Boehm said. "While the driver stepped away, Territo entered the driver's seat and fled the area without permission to take the vehicle."

Territo was spotted driving the stolen taxi on Santa Rosa Avenue. As officers tried to stop him, he accelerated onto southbound U.S. Highway 101, Boehm said.

As the chase continued southbound, several spike-strip deployments were attempted. Two separate deployments were successful, causing all four tires to deflate.

However, Territo continued driving at 40-50 mph until he exited U.S. 101 at Lucky Drive in Corte Madera — nearly 40 miles from where the chase first started.

As Territo turned the taxicab onto Doherty Drive, an SRPD sergeant successfully disabled the car by completing a PIT maneuver.

Territo exited the car holding a knife by his side and appeared to be agitated, Boehm said.

"An SRPD sergeant used clear verbal de-escalation communication with Territo," Boehm said. "After several minutes, Territo dropped the knife and was taken into custody."

Territo was medically cleared and then booked at Sonoma County jail on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading from a peace officer, and receiving a stolen vehicle.

Territo remained in custody Monday night with his bail set at $20,000, jail records showed.