CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake Police officer's attempt to conduct a traffic stop on Wednesday led to a pursuit, two arrests and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.
Sergio Alvarado, 26, of Los Angeles, and 22-year-old Chelsea Lynn Dawson of Clearlake were arrested following the pursuit, according to a Thursday report from Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
Joseph said that Officer Michael Carpenter was conducting traffic enforcement near the intersection of Old Highway 53 and Davis Avenue just after 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday when he observed a white Cadillac Seville with an Oregon license plate run the stop sign at that intersection.
Carpenter attempted to stop the vehicle for the traffic infraction, but when he activated his emergency lights, the Cadillac fled, according to Joseph.
Joseph said Carpenter pursued the Cadillac for approximately one mile at speeds of approximately 40 miles per hour through residential neighborhoods before the Cadillac eventually stopped near the intersections of Olympic and Garfield drives.
A high risk traffic stop was conducted on the Cadillac and Olympic Drive was closed to traffic for approximately 30 minutes during the event, Joseph said.
While officers were conducting the high risk traffic stop, the Cadillac was determined to be a reported stolen vehicle out of the city of San Francisco, according to Joseph.
Alvarado, the driver, was arrested and charged with evading police and possession of stolen property. Joseph said Alvarado claimed to be a Sureño gang member from Los Angeles. Dawson was found to have a felony narcotics warrant out of Los Angeles and also was arrested.
During a search of the vehicle, Carpenter’s K9 “Dex” indicated on several areas of the stolen Cadillac. Joseph said that during the following physical search, several pounds of marijuana were located in several areas of the vehicle along with a small amount of concentrated cannabis. The marijuana was determined to be illegally possessed and believed to be possessed for later sales.
Additionally, a significant quantity of Clonazepam, a prescription medication, was found in the trunk and several hundred round of various types of live ammunition – .30 caliber, .38 special and 7.72 millimeter – also found scattered throughout the vehicle, Joseph said.
Alvarado was determined to be a convicted felon and has served time in a California State Prison, according to Joseph.
Joseph said Alvarado additionally was charged with possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana and possession of concentrated cannabis.
The stolen Cadillac was impounded to be returned to the lawful owner, Joseph said.
Joseph said both Alvarado and Dawson were immediately transported to the Lake County Jail for booking.
Once at the jail, Lake County correctional officers determined that Alvarado had approximately 100 dosage units of Xanax, another prescription medication, hidden inside his rectum. Joseph said the pills were recovered and later booked into evidence.
An additional charge on Alvarado for bringing controlled substances into a jail facility is being referred to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Joseph said.
Dawson's bail was set at $30,000, with Alvarado's at $15,000. Jail records indicated both remained in custody on Thursday.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Officer Michael Carpenter at 707-994-8251. Callers should press No. 1 when prompted and then the extension No. 542. Callers may remain anonymous.