A Modesto man was taken into custody on multiple charges after an incident that started with the report of a suspicious vehicle on Main Street in Escalon.

According to Escalon Police, officers were dispatched to the Park and Ride lot on Main Street for a report of a suspicious vehicle on Wednesday evening, Sept. 25. Officer Cruz arrived on scene and discovered a white GMC pick-up truck that was reported stolen.

The officer obtained video surveillance of the suspect going to the nearby Emil’s Motel after parking the vehicle. While examining the vehicle, officers noticed that the suspect was watching them from his room at the motel.

Escalon Police Chief Anthony Hardgraves said the suspect was identified as Justin Conihiser, 38, from Modesto and was found to be on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) with a history of resisting arrest, as well as weapons charges. Officers also learned that he was involved in a vehicle pursuit with a neighboring agency earlier in the day. He also is suspected of being involved in a pursuit earlier in the week, which spanned both Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, including the Valley Home area.

Officers attempted to contact the suspect in the room at the motel, but he refused to come to the door.

Chief Hardgraves said that “Due to his history of resisting arrest and possessing weapons, it was decided that the SWAT team should force entry into the room.”

Officer Baldonado wrote warrants and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team came to assist in the forced entry arrest.

The suspect refused to exit the room, so SWAT breached the room and he was taken into custody without injury to anyone involved.

In the room, said the chief, officers located suspected methamphetamine, as well as personal identifying information, including identification cards and credit cards to six potential victims of identity theft.

The suspect was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail where he was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle, identity theft, possession of a controlled substance, obstruction of justice, and a parole violation.