Man driving stolen RV pursued from Arroyo Grande to Avila Beach, police say

An Oceano man driving a large recreational vehicle led police on a chase from Arroyo Grande to Port San Luis Harbor on Saturday, at times heading into oncoming traffic through Pismo Beach, according to a media report by the Pismo Beach Police Department.

Police twice broke off the chase but eventually found the vehicle and arrested the suspected driver.

“Pismo Beach police officers overheard that Arroyo Grande police officers were in pursuit of a large RV westbound on Grand Avenue about 8:30 a.m., but the police officers canceled as the RV proceeded toward the beach ramp on Grand Avenue,” the report states.

A few minutes later, Pismo Beach officers spotted and began to pursue the RV as they said the driver recklessly headed northbound on Highway 1, driving the wrong way on one-way streets and swerving into opposite lanes through Pismo Beach.

“Pismo Beach Police officers pursued the vehicle to the area of Cave Landing Drive in Avila Beach where the pursuit was discontinued,” Pismo Beach Police Sgt. Chris Trimble said. “We got a good look at the suspect, so we discontinued the pursuit.”

The RV was found a short time later by the Port San Luis Harbor Patrol and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies in the harbor parking lot near Fat Cat’s Restaurant in Avila Beach.

“After a brief standoff, the driver, Randall Burris Cox, 24, of Oceano, eventually exited the RV through a roof hatch and surrendered to officers who took him into custody. The vehicle was determined to be stolen from Oceano,” according to the report.

Cox was arrested on suspicion of felony evading, possession of a stolen vehicle, and a violation of his felony probation, Pismo Beach police said.

Cox was being help at San Luis Obispo County Jail early Saturday night in lieu of $50,000 bail.

This story was originally published May 16, 2020 at 6:14 PM.