CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police arrested a Clearlake man Tuesday afternoon for evading officers and numerous drug charges after he led officers on a vehicle pursuit.
David Lee McCarney, 60, was arrested following the pursuit, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph of the Clearlake Police Department.
At 3:30 p.m. Tuesday Officer Travis Parson attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black 1986 Ford Bronco for a traffic violation in the area of Old Highway 53 and Lakeview Avenue, Joseph said. The vehicle did not yield to the officer’s emergency lights or sirens and Parson initiated a pursuit of the Ford Bronco.
A second Clearlake Police unit was able to join the pursuit with speeds between 30 and 40 miles per hour. Joseph said the pursuit continued for several more blocks until the Bronco finally stopped near the intersections of Kett and Ballpark avenues.
Officers conducted a high risk car stop at gunpoint and took the uncooperative driver, identified as McCarney, into custody for a misdemeanor charge of evading a peace officer, Joseph said.
During a search incident to arrest and inventory of McCarney’s Bronco, officers discovered evidence of methamphetamine sales, including two bags of suspected methamphetamine totaling approximately 7 grams, packaging materials and a scale. Joseph said the drug and drug paraphernalia were concealed in the Bronco’s engine compartment area.
McCarney was additionally charged with several additional felony charges to include, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of driving on a suspended license, Joseph said.
Joseph said the Bronco was towed away from the scene and McCarney was later booked into the Lake County Jail.
McCarney's bail was set at $35,000. Jail records indicated he remained in custody on Thursday.