Shortly after the Healdsburg Tribune went to press last week, on April 13 at about 1:30am, Healdsburg Police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle on Dry Creek Road near Highway 101. After the driver failed to respond, the officer activated his emergency lights and siren, and the suspect vehicle turned onto the freeway and fled southbound on Highway 101.
An early-morning car chase followed, with the officer in pursuit at speeds approaching 100 mph. The suspect turned off the freeway at the next exit onto Westside Road. Soon he lost control of his vehicle and crashed in the rural 4000 block of Westside Road, after about five miles of pursuit.
The suspect was not injured and was immediately taken into custody without further incident. However, during a search of the vehicle, a loaded sawed-off shotgun was located in the front-right passenger seat. A large amount of rifle, handgun and shotgun ammunition was also found inside the vehicle.
Two open bottles of alcohol were also recovered, according to a photograph released by Healdsburg Police on their Facebook feed.
The suspect was a 17-year-old out of Chico. After medical clearance, the juvenile was booked into Juvenile Hall for possession of a short-barreled rifle, felony vehicular evasion and possession of a loaded firearm by a prohibited person.
