An Oroville man was arrested Friday after leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed pursuit that spanned three-counties and finally came to a halt after officers used a spike-strip to disable his vehicle.
At around 6:31p.m., the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a request for assistance from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. LCSO reported a reckless driver they were attempting to apprehend was traveling west bound on Highway 36 toward Plumas County.
The vehicle was described as a green Chevrolet pick-up with a black camper-shell. A PCSO Deputy spotted the vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 36 near the Plumas Lassen County Line.
As the Deputy turned his patrol vehicle around the pick-up truck quickly accelerated away from the Deputy. The Deputy activated his emergency lights and siren and pursued the vehicle.
According to the report from the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, during the approximate 20-mile pursuit the suspect vehicle was paced at several speeds varying from 50 to 90mph and committed a multitude of traffic violations. The pursuit ended about one mile into Tehama County after a CHP Officer successfully deployed spike strips and disabled the suspect vehicles two front tires.
After about 15 minutes of attempting to negotiate the driver out of the vehicle a non-lethal bean-bag projectile was used to break out the passenger side window of the truck for further negotiation and preparation to deploy a K9 from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office.
After breaking out the window, the driver and sole occupant exited the pick-up. He was safely taken into custody without further issues.
The driver was identified by the PCSO as 49 year-old Oroville resident Donald Cota. Cota was transported to the Plumas County Correctional Facility where was booked for the following charges: 2800.2 of the California vehicle Code – Felony evading, 148(a)(1) of the Penal Code – Offense against public justice (Obstruction), and 11364 of the Health and Safety Code – Possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, CHP – Susanville and the Susanville Police Department for their assistance.
