A Susanville man was arrested Thursday after a brief, high-speed pursuit near the community of Leavitt Lake that reached speeds of more than 80mph before the driver pulled over at a residence on Muskrat lane, where he was taken into custody after momentarily resisting arrest.
According to details provided by the Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol, a CHP officer was patrolling westbound on Johnstonville Road at around 7:30a.m., when he observed a gray pickup traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. When he attempted to stop the driver for the speeding violation the vehicle failed to yield to the patrol vehicle.
The driver of the pickup proceeded northbound on Highway 395, accelerating to over 80mph. At this point a Lassen County Sheriff’s Deputy joined in the pursuit.
The driver of the pickup pulled into the Leavitt Lake Subdivision, and the officer attempted a PIT maneuver as the pickup slowed, but was unsuccessful.
The truck continued to evade the officers until pulling up to a residence at Muskrat Drive.
The driver, identified by the CHP as 53-year old Susanville resident Kenneth Finks, who, according to the report, initially actively resisted the officer’s effort to place him under arrest.
“The officer and deputy were able to gain compliance from Mr. Finks and placed him under arrest. Mr. Finks was charged with suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs, felony evading, and resisting arrest,” said CHP Public Information Officer Bruce Thuelchassaigne.
