Suspected Danville Truck Thief Arrested After Neighborhood Drone Search

DANVILLE (CBS SF) -- A Crockett man was arrested Thursday morning after a brief pursuit in a stolen truck that led to a multi-hour intense neighborhood search in Danville, police said.

Officers arrested Matthew Robert Smith, 37, for driving and being in possession of the stolen truck as well as being a felon in possession of a stun gun. Smith was being held at Contra Costa County Jail.

Officers responded around 4:50 a.m. to the 600 block of El Pintado Rd. after receiving a report of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was then located at 5:17 a.m. at the intersection of El Alamo and Nathan Lane. Smith allegedly drove the truck to El Rio with officers in pursuit before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Danville police launched a search for the man with support from Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies, a K-9 unit and an unmanned police drone. The search was eventually called off at 6:20 a.m., but further investigation led to the locating and arrest of Smith, police said.

People with additional information about the suspect can contact the Danville Police Department at (925) 820-2144.