CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man who police said is a suspect in recent burglary cases was arrested Sunday morning after attempting to outrun police in a stolen vehicle.
Chad Brodie Pirtle, 38, was taken into custody in the case, according to Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Hobbs.
Hobbs said at about 8:30 a.m. the Clearlake Police Department took a stolen vehicle report regarding a red 2005 Dodge Caravan that was stolen in the Clearlake Park area.
He said the initial suspect was believed to be Chad Pirtle, who at the time had two outstanding felony warrants for his arrest, with one being for a weapons violation.
Pirtle also is on Post Release Community Supervision, or PRCS, with the Lake County Probation Department and was the suspect in several recent theft/burglary cases in Clearlake, Hobbs said.
At 9:45 a.m. Sunday Sgt. Rodd Joseph was on patrol and driving north on Phillips Avenue near 26th Avenue when he saw the stolen vehicle being driven by Pirtle turn north on Phillips Avenue in front of him.
As the stolen vehicle turned west onto 32nd Avenue, Sgt. Joseph attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle by activating his patrol vehicles emergency lights and siren, Hobbs said.
Hobbs said Pirtle accelerated the minivan to speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour in the posted 30 miles per hour residential zone and failed to pull over.
Pirtle headed towards the west end of 32nd Avenue, which Hobbs said dead ends at Highway 53, though the two roadways do not intersect.
Hobbs said there is a cyclone – or chain link – fence at the west end of 32nd Avenue which parallels the east shoulder of Highway 53. Once at the end of 32nd Avenue, Pirtle drove through the fence and crashed into the steep embankment that leads up to Highway 53.
Pirtle exited the vehicle and fled on foot heading west to Highway 53, he then crossed over the highway and ran down the embankment on the other side towards Crawford Avenue, Hobbs said. Near the bottom of the embankment Sgt. Joseph caught up with Pirtle and was able to place him into handcuffs after a brief struggle.
During a search incident to his arrest, Pirtle was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and pepper spray, Hobbs said.
Hobbs said Pirtle was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail for vehicle theft, felony evading, evading while driving on the wrong side of the road, resisting arrest, hit and run, driving with a expired driver’s license, being a felon in possession of pepper spray, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Pirtle remained in custody on Monday night on a no-bail hold as the result of a felony bench warrant. His booking sheet indicated he is scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday.
Suspect in Clearlake burglaries arrested after vehicle pursuit
- Elizabeth Larson
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