Two arrested after stolen car catches fire

Two people in a stolen car were arrested after the vehicle caught on fire in Morgan Hill on Friday afternoon, police said.

San Jose residents Tye Freitas, 29, and Stephanie Hamilton, 31, were in a 2006 Volvo an officer saw turn east on West Edmundson Avenue at Sunnyside Avenue around 1:10 p.m., according to police.

With the aid of an automated license plate reader, the officer learned the car was stolen, police said. The officer made a U-turn to follow the car, but the suspect driver sped east on Watsonville Road, police said.

A pursuit ensued on city streets and continued for several minutes until the stolen vehicle’s engine caught on fire in the area of Murphy and Maple avenues, according to police.

Once the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, Freitas and Hamilton fled on foot, but were taken into custody and booked into county jail, police said.

Freitas was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, failure to yield to a police officer, parole violation and two outstanding warrants, police said.

Hamilton was arrested on three outstanding narcotic warrants, according to police.

Cal Fire was called to extinguish the fire, police said. No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Morgan Hill police Corporal Scott Purvis at (408) 779-2101. Anonymous tips can be made at (408) 947-7867.

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