The driver of a stolen big rig was taken into custody after leading California Highway Patrol officers on hourslong pursuit on Riverside County freeways Tuesday.

The chase began about 10:30 a.m. in unincorporated Apple Valley, where a sheriff's deputy spotted the stolen truck and attempted to stop the driver.

WATCH LIVE: CHP officers are pursuing the driver of a possibly stolen big rig near Beaumont https://t.co/QZuF1Q8SRO pic.twitter.com/NgOjRnC5BE — NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) September 13, 2016

With a line of CHP cruisers behind him, the driver made his way on the southbound 15 Freeway, eastbound 60 Freeway, eastbound 10 Freeway and eastbound Highway 62, into the high desert.

CHP Officer Brian Alvarez said spike strips would be an unlikely option to stop the truck due its size.

About 1:40 p.m., the driver parked the truck and surrendered. He was taken into custody without incident. He was identified as 48-year-old James Edgely of Victorville.

According to San Bernardino County Superior Court records, Edgely led deputies on another stolen big rig chase back in 2014.

Lee King, of Victorville, said Edgely was his former neighbor who used to live in his Garnet Cove neighborhood.

King said he's not suprised Edgely allegedly led the pursuit. He said Edgely would park the stolen big rigs on an empty street near his house and sell whatever cargo was in the trucks.

"He just was real with me and didn't lie," King said. "That's what he does for a living now."

Not something seen often - CHP airplane overhead in big rig chase. WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/Eicjt8NJrS https://t.co/SfJBZCrV0f — NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) September 13, 2016

A graphic on the side of the truck indicated the big rig belonged to Advanced Chemical Transport, a hazardous waste management firm.

The owner of firm, Walter Singer, said the truck had been stolen from a Barstow hotel parking lot sometime before 6 a.m. The thief disabled a GPS tracking device, but the company was able to find the truck's location through a second tracking device and notified authorities.

The truck was hauling non-hazardous materials, including medical waste, to Nevada, Singer said.

Southern California’s wild police chases: We’ve all seen them, and some can take pretty unexpected turns. Watch our collection of some of the wildest moments from the most infamous, dramatic pursuits.