A Portland, Oregon man is in custody today on charges ranging from kidnapping and evading arrest, to driving without a license and vehicle theft after he led California Highway Patrol officers on a 28-mile chase across Lassen County that ended near Fredonyer Summit on Highway-36 late Saturday night.
At around 10:00p.m. Saturday the Susanville CHP office received a report from the Long Valley Agriculture Inspection Station that a dark vehicle with Oregon license plates had just passed through the facility with a female yelling for help from inside the vehicle.
CHP Officers responded southbound from Susanville and located a vehicle matching the description traveling north near the Honey Lake Rest Area.
According to the report officers were attempting to overtake the vehicle and make an enforcement stop when CHP dispatch received a 911 call from a distraught female. The female reported that her boyfriend had punched her in the face, thrown her out of the vehicle, stole her car and all her personal belongings and left her on the side of the road near Wemple’s Pumpkin Patch on Highway 395 near Milford.
Several motorists stopped to assist the female until fire and ambulance could respond.
CHP officers attempted to stop the vehicle which failed to yield and a pursuit ensued at speeds in excess of 100mph, continuing for 28 miles from US-395, up Susanville’s Main Street and onto SR-36 westbound from town.
While traversing the City of Susanville, Susanville Police Officers assisted by blocking of all the major intersections.
As the pursuit approached Fredonyer Summit, CHP officers were joined by several Lassen County Sheriff’s Department Units. One of the CHP Officers performed a pursuit intervention technique, known as a PIT maneuver, and disabled the vehicle.
The remaining CHP Officer was assisted by the Lassen County Deputies in taking the driver, identified as 45 year-old James Nolan, into custody. Deputies deployed their newest K9 unit as a deterrent and the suspect did not resist further after seeing the dog.
Nolan was booked in to the Lassen County Adult Detention Facility on charges which include kidnapping, evading arrest, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without a license and vehicle theft.
Our local CHP office points to this incident as a great example of our local law enforcement agencies working together to serve our community and thanked the Susanville Police Department as well as the Lassen County Deputies for their assistance during the chase.
