Kandy Sanderford, 18, lies in an ambulance after he allegedly stole a 1995 green Infinity, led officers on a 30-minute chase and then crashed into an embankment off the westbound lane of I-20 Thursday afternoon. (The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[03/16/01] The theft of a car from a convenience store Thursday afternoon led to a 30-minute police chase on Interstate 20 and a wreck that sent the suspect to a hospital and then to jail.

Kandy Sanderford, 18, 530 Culkin Road, was being held on a charge of auto theft. He was treated and released from ParkView Regional Medical Center after his arrest, Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said.

Pace said 911 dispatchers notified authorities that a green 1995 Infinity had been taken from the Texaco at 4460 East Clay St. around 12:15 p.m.

The owner of the store told police he had spotted three men in the parking lot, and one of them jumped in the Infinity and left. The man said he pursued the stolen car down Clay Street and onto I-20 but lost sight of the vehicle near Bovina.

Deputy Bobby Culbertson spotted the car a few minutes later near Flowers and attempted to stop it.

The driver of the Infinity then headed west on Paul Barrett Drive, which is off of I-20 near the Flowers exit. The pursuit continued to Brabston Road at the Clear Creek Golf Course and then onto Tiffentown Road.

At Tiffentown, Deputy Lionel Johnson followed the car as the chase continued back to I-20, Pace said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Jason Bailess and Vicksburg Police Lt. David Beard set out strips designed to puncture tires, and the driver hit them about a mile from the city limits.

“After the tires blew, the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the interstate and hit a utility pole, and the car flipped several times,” Pace said.

Traffic on I-20 near Bovina was backed up for about an hour while authorities cleared debris, Pace said.

Sanderford was arrested by Vicksburg Police Sgts. Doug King and John Roland. He was to be arraigned in Vicksburg Municipal Court Friday morning.