LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport Police officer used a Taser to subdue a suspected gang member who resisted arrest and was found to be in possession of a sawed-off shotgun and a meth pipe.
Oscar Javier Arevalo, 22, was arrested Thursday afternoon, according to a report from Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.
At approximately 2:17 p.m. Thursday a Lakeport Police officer patrolling the area of Armstrong and Polk streets noticed a suspicious subject carrying a backpack in the 100 block of S. Polk Street, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said the officer noticed that the subject – later identified as Arevalo – began walking rapidly and turned to watch the patrol vehicle. As the officer turned around to further watch Arevalo, he noticed that Arevalo walked into the driveway and carport of a residence.
Arevalo then walked out of the driveway with the backpack on and continued walking north on S. Polk Street. Rasmussen said the officer got out of his vehicle to contact Arevalo and noticed that he took the backpack off and placed it behind a garbage can.
The officer contacted Arevalo and noticed that he was very nervous. Rasmussen said the officer determined that Arevalo did not live at or know anyone at the residence and attempted to detain him until he could conduct further investigation and check the residence.
Arevalo resisted and then fled on foot. The officer gave chase and caught up to Arevalo, who continued to resist, Rasmussen said.
The officer fired his Taser, striking Arevalo, who fell to the ground but continued to resist. Rasmussen said the officer was able to take control of Arevalo and handcuff him. Arevalo received minor injuries during the incident.
The backpack was recovered and searched, and a loaded sawed-off .410 shotgun, methamphetamine smoking pipe and what is believed to be a face cover crafted from a black t-shirt were located, Rasmussen said.
Arevalo was arrested for possession of a sawed-off shotgun, carrying a loaded firearm in public as a suspected gang member, carrying a concealed firearm in public as a suspected gang member, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance smoking pipe, according to Rasmussen.
Arevalo was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for medical clearance and then booked into the Lake County Jail, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said Arevalo has a prior arrest in Sonoma County for possession or manufacture of a dangerous weapon and participating in a criminal street gang, and a prior arrest and conviction in Lake County for manufacture or possession of a dangerous weapon.