Burglary Suspect Arrested After Vehicle Pursuit
October 5, 2026 – Sutter County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at approximately 2:30 a.m., Sutter County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 14800 block of Highway 99, just north of Nicolaus, for a report of a burglary that had just occurred.
Deputies contacted the reporting party, who reported that an unknown suspect had entered a shop on the property and stolen six chainsaws, three weed eaters, three water pumps, a pressure washer, and a Craftsman toolbox. A silver 2022 GMC Sierra was also stolen from inside the shop.
The reporting party told deputies he heard a noise coming from inside the residence and looked outside to see his GMC Sierra leaving the property. The reporting party then checked the shop and discovered the stolen items before contacting law enforcement.
A “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) notification was issued to surrounding law enforcement agencies.
Approximately 40 minutes later, Yolo County Sheriff’s deputies located the stolen GMC Sierra near Knights Landing. The vehicle fled from Yolo County deputies and traveled northbound on Highway 113 back into Sutter County.
The pursuit continued for approximately 15 minutes through the backroads near Highway 113. The GMC Sierra ultimately crashed into a large, water-filled drainage canal on Seymour Road, west of Armour Road. The vehicle was located unoccupied.
Sutter County Sheriff’s Office personnel, along with California Highway Patrol and Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, conducted an extensive search of the surrounding rice fields.
During the search, a large culvert was located approximately 100 yards from the abandoned GMC Sierra. Deputies observed disturbed vegetation around the culvert and requested assistance from Sutter County Sheriff’s K9.
K9 Phoenix was deployed to check the culvert. After K9 announcements were given, the suspect responded from inside the culvert. The suspect then crawled out of the culvert and was taken into custody without further incident.
The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Brian Freeland of Rancho Cordova, who is currently on Sacramento County Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for firearms-related charges. Freeland was transported by Bi-County Ambulance to Rideout for medical evaluation, where he remains. Due to the nature of Freeland's injuries, he was issued felony citations for burglary, evading the police, driving in excess of 100 mph, hit and run, obstruction and resisting, reckless driving and taking a vehicle without owner's consent.
The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Yolo County Sheriff's Office and CHP - Yuba-Sutter for their assistance during the incident.
Great job, A-Nights & K9 Phoenix!!!
Source & photos: Sutter County Sheriff’s Office
