Two attempted car thieves led East Bay authorities on a Dukes of Hazzard-style chase the wrong way along surface streets and down Highway 4 after puncturing all four tires on spike strips, and at one point tossing a power tool out of the car at police.

Hercules police responded around 3:58 am to a report of two suspects who were linked to a Honda Civic and a GMC box truck attempting to steal an Infiniti G35 on North Wildwood, as KRON4 reports. When officers approached, the suspects fled in the Honda.

The driver ran over spike strips at Hercules Avenue and San Pablo Avenue, puncturing all four tires, but continued driving 30 to 40 mph the wrong way on surface streets. During the pursuit, a passenger threw a Sawzall — a reciprocating saw power tool — at a pursuing patrol car.

The Honda entered Highway 4 going the wrong way before stopping near a Motel 6 in Pinole, where both suspects fled on foot. One suspect was taken into custody after being located by a Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office drone, with the help of police dogs, but they were unable to find the second suspect.

Authorities recovered a stolen, loaded firearm from the Honda, which had been reported stolen. The GMC truck left at the scene was also stolen.

The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Daniel Marroquin, was on post-release community supervision out of Alameda County and was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple charges, including auto burglary, felony evading, wrong-way evading, possession of a stolen firearm by a felon, and assault on a peace officer.

“We urge our community to remain vigilant—lock your vehicles, remove valuables, and report suspicious activity immediately by calling 911,” the department said in a statement. “We thank all responding officers and partner agencies for their professionalism, teamwork, and dedication in bringing this incident to a safe resolution.”

The Garlic Shoppe, a recognizable pitstop for thousands of travelers who relish in the unique garlic-themed offerings at the busy crossroads of Highway 101 and State Route 25 in Gilroy, is being uprooted from its long-time home.

The abrupt move was mandated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency (VTA), which, under eminent domain, acquired the property to build a new intersection at the location, per KSBW.

It’s reportedly part of a nearly $140 million project to replace Highway 25's two-lane over-crossing with a four-lane over-crossing over Highway 101, increase the length of Highway 101 off-ramp, upgrade traffic signals, and add bike lanes.  The VTA fast-tracked the project at the beginning of this year, according to the Chronicle. And when it did, the Garlic Shoppe location came under fire because it in particular has a higher-than-average rate of accidents.

The owners, brothers Alex and Charlie Larson, told KSBW that they found out days before they were required to move. As Charlie told the outlet, “We've been here for 39 years. Alex is 62, and I'm 63. We are planning to retire a few years...now we have to basically start all over again."

The Garlic Shoppe is apparently planning to migrate to its sister winery, Rapazzini Winery, just down the street. The Larson brothers say they will continue selling their garlic-infused products there until the end of the year, when they'll hopefully be able to find a new permanent home for the store.

Feature image via Google Street View.

Governor Schwarzenegger attended a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the repaving and repair of Interstate Highway 80 in Fairfield (between state Highway 12 and Air Base Parkway), which is the first California infrastructure project to be funded by federal stimulus money. The 50-year-old stretch of highway is used by over 200,000 vehicles per day, and the $13.5 million project is said to provide 200 construction jobs. Top Grade Construction of Livermore submitted the lowest bid, which was 40 percent lower than Caltrans' cost estimate. The governor's office said the savings will be used for other highway projects. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. California is expected to receive nearly $850 million in federal economic stimulus money this month for transportation projects.

The Bay Area's first-ever "high occupancy toll" lane will hit 680 next year. The HOT lanes, according to KCBS, "would be designated for non-carpool drivers who pay a toll to use a high occupancy vehicle or HOV/carpool lane." In addition to easing traffic and generating revenue, the HOT lanes will now allow solo drivers to take a ride in the VIP lanes. The premiere HOT lane will "stretch 14 miles on southbound 680 between Alameda and Santa Clara counties."

According to CBS 5 "[a] brush fire in Napa County has shut Hwy 29 at Hwy 121 in both directions."

First the Santa Cruz mountains, and now this? Way to kickoff fire season, God.

So why is (s)he punishing us? What hath you wrought?

A female motorist was shot several times and killed late last night on I-80. According to the Gate:

Richmond police and CHP officers said a female was shot multiple times and killed and a male was shot and critically injured in the attack, which began around 9:15 p.m. on I-80 in Pinole. The ages of the victims were unknown.

Police are investigating whether the victim knew the shooters or if this was a case of road rage. No arrests have been made in the case. Also, this makes the second time this week a shooting has happened on the same stretch of highway. On Tuesday someone was shot "in the westbound lanes of I-80 at Hilltop Drive," but the police have called that a "targeted attack."

In related news, Southern California is experiencing a new wave of freeway shootings. Ack. Be careful out there on the 101, So Cal brethren.

Update: The victim has been identified as Rhonda White.The car used by the killer was "apparently left at the scene."