March 07--A woman driving a minivan painted to resemble "Scooby-Doo's" Mystery Machine evaded Northern California police in a high-speed pursuit Sunday.
Sharon Kay Turman, 51, was driving a 1994 Chrysler Town Country minivan when she outran Redding police just after noon, officials said.
The vehicle had been painted teal and green and bore the words "The Mystery Machine" -- mimicking the Saturday morning cartoon van used to haul the famous Great Dane and his Mystery Inc. gang of amateur detectives Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy.
Although the official Scooby-Doo website notes that the Mystery Machine "is always ready to provide a quick getaway," Redding police were not amused.
"You can't really get caught up in the cartoon because it's a serious business," Redding police Cpl. Levi Solada said.
Turman was wanted on suspicion of violating her probation when officers spotted her about 12:50 p.m., he said.
When officers attempted to pull her over, Turman continued driving at high speed and "began to show a blatant disregard for motorist safety," police said.
Officers ended the pursuit in the area of Buenaventura Boulevard and Highway 273 out of concern for public safety. During the chase, police said, Turman drove through a red light and nearly hit four cars.
The California Highway Patrol later reported seeing the minivan in a neighborhood just north of Anderson, police said. At that point, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office picked up the chase, and pursued it on Highway 273 to Interstate 5.
Once again however, deputies were forced to call off the pursuit due to public safety concerns when Turman's Mystery Machine reached speeds of 100 mph in Tehama County.
Meanwhile, a CHP helicopter continued to monitor the minivan as it sped toward Highway 36.
Turman eventually abandoned the minivan in an area of northwestern Tehama County, police said.
Although her whereabouts remain unknown, Turman's minivan was recovered and impounded by police.
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