Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends in Arrest in South Monterey County

DATE/TIME: 9-21-26 @ 1415 hours
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends in Arrest in South Monterey County
LOCATION: Highway 101 @ First Street, King City
MEDIA CONTACT: Scott Davis, Commander 831-755-3807 [email protected]

On September 19, 2026, at 1721 hours, Monterey County Sheriff's Deputies were alerted to a stolen
white Volkswagen hatchback, which had been reported stolen earlier that day from the Capitola Police
Department.

"We're thankful this ended safely. Our deputies, CHP ground units, and the crew of CHP Helicopter H70
all worked together to bring this pursuit to a safe conclusion," Sheriff Tina Nieto said.

Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology provided deputies with the vehicle's initial location
and subsequent updated location notifications as it traveled through South Monterey County. A short
time later, deputies saw the Volkswagen traveling southbound on Highway 101 near the First Street
overpass in King City.

Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to yield, prompting an 18-mile pursuit with
speeds ranging from 50 to 60 mph. The California Highway Patrol was requested to assist; CHP
Helicopter H70 responded overhead to provide aerial support and assist with coordination throughout the
pursuit. CHP Ground units attempted to deploy spike strips near San Ardo. The initial deployment was
unsuccessful after the driver tailgated a tractor-trailer.

The driver later exited Highway 101 onto Cattlemen Road and then entered the northbound Highway 101
on ramp. During the pursuit, a deputy attempted a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver.
Contact was made with the suspect vehicle, but the maneuver did not stop it. The pursuit continued
northbound on Highway 101, where CHP officers successfully deployed spike strips, deflating both the
front and rear driver-side tires. The vehicle continued for a short distance before slowing and pulling to
the right side of the roadway.

Deputies and CHP officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and took the driver, Funda Yilmaz (54), into
custody without further incident. No deputies, CHP Officers, members of the public, or the suspect were
injured during the incident.

Yilmaz was transported to the Monterey County Jail and booked on the following charges:
10851 CVC Stolen Vehicle Felony
2800.1(a) CVC Evading a Peace Officer Misdemeanor