A vehicle stolen out of Nevada City last week has been recovered but the suspect,  who was the subject of a search Saturday night  including a K-9 officer and the CHP helicopter, is still on the loose.
click to hear Lt. Bill Smethers

Nevada County Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Smethers says an advisory was broadcast  to area law enforcement about the stolen vehicle and a Sheriff’s deputy spotted a Dodge Avenger near the Nevada County fairgrounds,  except instead of being red, the vehicle was painted white.  The deputy began following the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver fled away  down Old Auburn Rd. to Hidden Valley and Twin Star Lane where the driver eventually crashed .

click to hear Lt. Bill Smethers

The deputy chased the suspect through some thick manzanita and some back yards before he lost the suspect.   At that time he requested additional units  and the CHP helicopter and a K-9 unit joined the search.

click to hear Lt. Bill Smethers

A shotgun was located in the vehicle that may also have been used  during the burglary at the Northern Queen Inn when the car, which was a rental, was taken.  The vehicle is being processed for evidence and the investigation is ongoing.