Ventura County – If you’re going to steal a car and try to outrun a police pursuit, it’s important to a) steal the right kind of car and b) have professional driving skills. The first of those principles was adhered to by Daniel Zinn, a 34-year old Ventura area transient, who, just after midnight on August 4th carefully broke into a private residence on El Jardin Avenue in the City of Ventura by using gloves and a hammer to “smash in a window”, as described to the media by an unnamed Ventura Police Department spokesman.
After making entry into the home, Zinn discovered the keys to the blue Mini Cooper sitting in the driveway outside. Bleeding a bit from the forced entry through broken glass, Zinn nevertheless managed to fire up the sportscar with a reputation for quick acceleration and “go kart” handling, but not without being observed by the car’s owner who promptly placed a 911 Emergency call reporting the auto theft in progress.
As Zinn drove away, responding Ventura Police units spotted the blue Mini Cooper and attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the middle of downtown Ventura…to no avail as Zinn put pedal to the metal and led the cops on a high-speed chase along the city’s principal commercial thoroughfares. Zinn then attempted to navigate the quick-steering vehicle onto the nothbound onramp of U.S. 101, but lost control as the car lurched over a raised median, ripping up a dirt embankment and ultimately colliding with a tree.
Zinn was taken into custody at the scene without further incident, and was then transported to Ventura County Jail where he was booked on charges of burglary, vehicle theft, and evading. Sadly, the blue Mini Cooper was towed away considerably the worse for wear. Photo: Courtesy www.mini2.com
Read more:
ABC7: Ventura Vagrant leads police chase
VC Star: Man arrested after vehicle pursuit
KCLU: Police say brazen auto thief…
