An early morning pursuit on Thursday, July 24 covered 11 miles in eight minutes.

The unlicensed driver who led Escalon Police Officer Anthony Hardgraves on that chase was subsequently arrested on multiple counts and booked at San Joaquin County Jail.

According to the police report, Officer Hardgraves attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1300 block of Escalon Avenue just after 1 a.m. Thursday. He pulled the car over for tinted windows and, as he approached, Hardgraves asked the driver to step out of the vehicle. Instead, the suspect said “no” and put the 2001 Pontiac in reverse, backing up quickly and narrowly missing the officer. Hardgraves was able to avoid being struck and got back in his patrol car, giving chase.

The pursuit headed southbound on McHenry and the driver turned on Ladd, then went south on Tully. From there, he turned on to Kiernan and then headed back northbound on McHenry. The chase at one point reached speeds up to 120 mph, police said. Once on McHenry, the driver again turned on Ladd and then turned south on Tully, where the vehicle went off the roadway. The driver fled into an orchard and Hardgraves was able to apprehend him following a brief foot pursuit.

He was identified as Aaron Amavizca, 28, of Modesto and he was arrested on suspicion of felony evading an officer, driving under the influence and driving without a license.

Amavizca was booked at county jail pending further action in court.