Police nab federal escapee after high-speed chase

Kcra 3 — A federal escapee, who has been on the run since October 2011, was captured Friday night after a high-speed chase, police said.

Michael Paul Thompson, 32, was wanted for escaping from a Southern California prison.

A task force from the U.S. Marshals Service, along with San Joaquin County Sheriff's deputies, were conducting surveillance at the Days Inn off Interstate 5 and Lathrop Road about 7 p.m. when Thompson and Ricky "Smoke" Gonzalez were seen exiting a motel.

Thompson and Gonzalez eluded deputies by jumping into a Cadillac Escalade and speeding out of the parking lot, police said.

Deputies pursued the SUV onto northbound I-5, and Thompson drove in and out of traffic at more than 100 mph, according to officials.

Stockton police and the California Highway Patrol joined the chase on the streets of Stockton as Thompson ran red lights and stop signs, authorities said.

Thompson's SUV became disabled when it struck a police cruiser at Mission Road and Princeton Avenue.

Thompson and Gonzalez were taken into custody without further incident.

Thompson was booked into the Sacramento County Jail, awaiting his first appearance in Sacramento Federal Court.

Gonzalez was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on a parolee at-large warrant.