CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police captured one suspect and are continuing to search for a second as the result of two separate pursuits that occurred on New Year’s night and the following morning.
Arrested was 34-year-old Santa Rosa resident James Evan Morgan, while officers are continuing to try to locate 27-year-old John August Schroiff of Dos Palos, located in Merced County, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph of the Clearlake Police Department.
Joseph said that on Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. he attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a red GMC pickup for vehicle code violations near the intersections of Phillips and 39th avenues. However, the truck fled west down 39th Avenue.
Joseph reported that he pursued the truck for approximately three-tenths of a mile at speeds of approximately 45 to 50 miles per hour until the truck became disabled in the mud at the western dead end of 39th Avenue.
The driver immediately fled on foot toward Highway 53 through the heavy brush and escaped, Joseph said.
A female passenger, identified as 25-year-old Clearlake resident Ashley Martinez, was found in the vehicle and was arrested on an out-of-county misdemeanor warrant. Joseph said she later was released on a citation.
While conducting a search of the vehicle, a .22 cal semi-automatic pistol was found on the driver’s side floorboard and drug paraphernalia also was located in the vehicle, Joseph said.
During the course of the investigation, the driver was identified as Schroiff, who Joseph said is a convicted felon and a documented gang member. Schroiff also has a suspended driver’s license.
Officers currently are trying to locate Schroiff and the case is being forwarded to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for felony and misdemeanor charges, Joseph said.
A second incident occurred at about 1:38 a.m. on Wednesday during the same patrol shift, Joseph said.
At about that time, Officer Tom Riley conducted a traffic stop on a white and wood paneled Jeep Wagoneer for vehicle code violations near the intersection of Phillips and 45th avenues. Joseph said the Jeep pulled over but the driver immediately fled on foot.
Riley chased the suspect – later identified as Morgan – for a short distance before Morgan fell and Riley was able to take him into custody, Joseph reported.
Joseph said a loaded .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol was found next to Morgan when taken into custody.
He said Morgan is a convicted felon and also a documented gang member. The investigation revealed that Morgan had discarded the pistol just prior to being taken into custody. Additionally, drug paraphernalia was also located near Morgan during the arrest.
Morgan was charged with several felony violations, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction, Joseph said. Bail was set at $15,000, according to jail records.
Morgan obtained minor injuries during the foot pursuit. Joseph said Morgan was medically cleared at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake and booked into the Lake County Jail.
Though there are some similarities in these two incidents, they are separate and do not appear to be related, Joseph said.
Anyone with information on either of these incidents or any other crime occurring in the city of Clearlake is urged to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251 at any hour of the day or night.
Callers may remain anonymous.