Police: Woman escapes officers after fleeing in Mystery Machine minivan


A woman in California managed flee from authorities Sunday following a high-speed chase in a brightly colored minivan painted to look like the Mystery Machine from “Scooby-Doo,” according to multiple media reports.

In a news release, Redding police said they were searching for Sharon Kay Turman, 51, on suspicion of violating her probation and later fleeing from police while driving at speeds that topped 100 mph, Redding.com reported.

Police attempted to stop Turman around 12:50 p.m. Sunday after Shasta County Probation Department officials said they had reason to believe Turman violated her probation, according to the news website.

They found her driving a 1994 Chrysler Town and Country minivan painted teal and green. She fled when authorities tried to stop her, police said, and the California Highway Patrol and Shasta County Sheriff's Office joined the chase.

They briefly lost sight of the minivan but a Redding police officer spotted it a short time later. Turman was driving "without concern for other motorists," according to Redding.com. She ran a red light through an intersection, nearly striking four other vehicles, according to KRCR.

Authorities keeping watch over Turman in a CHP helicopter later saw her abandon the minivan in nearby Tehama County. Her whereabouts remain unknown.