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Monday, May 18, 2026 at 8:52 AM

Fernley man charged with stealing CalFire utility vehicle, leading deputies on high-speed chase

Fernley man charged with stealing CalFire utility vehicle, leading deputies on high-speed chase

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

A man from Fernley was arrested on Aug. 26 in Yreka, Calif. and charged with stealing a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection vehicle and leading sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase on Interstate 5.

According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, at about 1:11 p.m. on Aug. 26, they were notified by CalFire Law Enforcement personnel they were following a CalFire utility vehicle that had recently been stolen from Highway 89 in the McCloud area. They reported they were northbound on Interstate 5 coming through the Yreka area. Siskiyou County deputies responded to Interstate 5 near the Miner St. exit where they located the stolen vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The deputies said the vehicle failed to yield and rapidly accelerated reaching speeds of about 100 mph in an attempt to evade them.

During the pursuit the driver, who was later identified as 35-year-old Jeremy Austin Estep of Fernley, continued his erratic driving where he crossed over the center medium and continued southbound on Interstate 5 before leaving the freeway and entering Yreka. The pursuit continued into the area of North View Drive in Yreka where the driver stopped and fled the vehicle on foot. Deputies continued their pursuit on foot where the suspect was soon apprehended.

Estep was arrested and transported to the Siskiyou County Jail where he was booked for felony evading, felony auto theft, and misdemeanor resisting arrest.


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C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion.Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AMComment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-rampComment author: Alan ReederComment text: Great guy, laughed easily, had fun with his students, enjoyed our time together at FHS!Comment publication date: 4/23/26, 10:23 PMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: Jack & Nancy CookComment text: Wonderful man. Created a precious family with Linda. Will always respect and admire his contribution to teaching at FHS.Comment publication date: 4/18/26, 10:27 AMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: JeffDickersonComment text: Very well reported, even though our motion was denied.Comment publication date: 4/15/26, 11:05 AMComment source: Judge allows Fernley City Council to proceed with corrective agenda item in Lau expulsion caseComment author: Todd fossumComment text: Hi my name is todd fossum i'm clarence's stepson, I was wondering if he had any siblings. I think he said he had a sister that just survived cancer. If she can get ahold of me or any buddy, my number is 916. 3 4 3 1 1 7 7.Thank you have a blessed dayComment publication date: 1/16/26, 4:33 PMComment source: Clarence L Shields C Comment author: Carl HagenComment text: So just curious, what is the point of a franchise agreement if it is not exclusive?Comment publication date: 12/15/25, 4:18 PMComment source: Council approves non-exclusive franchise agreement for waste collection
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