CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man who fled the Sacramento area during his prosecution on charges including driving under the influence and vehicle theft was arrested on Tuesday in Clearlake.
John Anthony Lewis, 53, was arrested through a collaborative effort of the US Marshals Service, the Clearlake Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, according to a report from Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
Joseph said that on Tuesday the Clearlake Police Department received information from the US Marshals Service of a possible wanted subject – Lewis – who was believed to be in the city's jurisdiction.
Lewis was wanted on a no-bail felony arrest warrant out of the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Joseph explained.
He said Lewis was convicted in 2012 of charges including driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle, evading police and resisting arrest.
Lewis, who fled during the court proceedings, was convicted in absentia of the charges and given an 11-year prison term. Authorities had been trying to locate him since that time, Joseph said.
Besides the Sacramento County conviction, Lewis also had a no-bail felony arrest warrant out of Washington state for failing to appear on several charges, including – in Washington terminology – theft, trafficking and a controlled substance violation, Joseph said.
The US Marshals Service, working in collaboration with the Clearlake Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, arrested Lewis after a lengthy surveillance was conducted by US Marshals, according to Joseph.
Joseph said that on Tuesday Lewis was found leaving Walmart in a vehicle. A high risk traffic stop subsequently occurred near the intersection of Dam Road and Dam Road Extension.
During his arrest Lewis expressed surprise at being apprehended by law enforcement, asking the arresting officers how they had found him, Joseph said.
Walmart’s vehicular exit onto Dam Road was partially blocked for about 10 to 15 minutes during the brief police activity, according to Joseph.
Clearlake Police Department later transported Lewis to the Lake County Jail for housing. Lewis' mug shot was not immediately available for posting early Tuesday evening.
Man wanted for Sacramento County DUI, vehicle theft case arrested in Clearlake
- Lake County News reports
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