Crime & Safety
94 Pounds of Marijuana Seized, Officer Injured, Suspect Escapes
After a high-speed chase on southbound 101 last Friday night, the suspect escaped into the wilds of Marin.
A CHP-initiated car chase on Friday, July 20, lasted from Cotati Grade south of Rohnert Park all the way through Petaluma and into Marin County. The result? One injured CHP officer and the discovery of 94 pounds of marijuana. But no suspect was apprehended.
At approximately 9:40 p.m, CHP Officer Kristen Franks attempted to stop a Chevy SUV on southbound US 101 at the brake check area on the Cotati Grade. For a reason later to be discovered, the Chevy accelerated to 60 to 80 mph, using all lanes in an ultimately successful attempt to evade Officer Franks.
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At the Petaluma Blvd. South off-ramp, the Chevy started to exit, and then quickly re-entered the southbound freeway.
Officers Marcus Hawkins, Christopher Mullins, and David Stewart set up at the Novato Sanitary Landfill with a spike strip, inside Marin County. The Chevy continued though the location and the spike strip was deployed, deflating the left front tire of the Chevy.
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The Chevy then exited on De Long, westbound, where it veered to the right, striking a curb and metal light pole, coming to rest against the curb of First Street, north of Diablo Avenue.
The solo male occupant fled the vehicle into an adjoining neighborhood. A Marin CHP officer chased after the suspect. As the suspect was scaling a fence, the officer attempted to take control of the suspect by grabbing his jacket. The suspect continued over the fence without a jacket.
Novato Police Department and the Marin Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene with K9 support. A perimeter was set up and a CHP helicopter responded.
The suspect was observed on Court Road north of First Street. Officers started to run north in that direction. Officer Mullins failed to see the barricade due to the dark area and he struck the barricade with his right leg and flipped over the barricade.
Novato Fire on scene and transported Officer Mullins to the Kaiser Hospital San Rafael with a right femur fracture.
Inside the vehicle, officers located 94 pounds of marijuana. The suspect is still outstanding, and the investigation is continuing.
This report is based on official CHP information
