CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was taken into custody earlier this week on a number of charges after he led a Clearlake Police officer on a high speed chase through the city.
Raymond Kaniela Lamb, 41, was arrested by Officer Elvis Cook with help from his K9 partner “Max” following the chase on Tuesday night, according to Lt. Tim Celli of the Clearlake Police Department.
At 9:10 p.m. Tuesday Cook and Max were on duty and, along with several other Clearlake Police officers, were preparing to serve a felony warrant on a residence where Lamb was known to frequent, Celli said.
As the officers were preparing to make contact at the residence, Officer Cook saw Lamb driving a vehicle in the area of Pine and Davis avenues, according to Celli.
Cook knew Raymond Lamb from prior law enforcement-related contacts and knew that he had an outstanding felony warrant issued for his arrest. Celli said Cook also was aware that Lamb had a history of violence and resisting arrest, and that he was not licensed to drive.
Celli said Cook attempted to make a traffic stop on Lamb, but Lamb failed to stop, leading Cook on a vehicle pursuit with speeds reaching 100 miles per hour.
During the pursuit Lamb is alleged to have driven recklessly, failing to stop at stop signs and making unsafe turning movements. Celli said Lamb slammed on his brakes several times in what police believed was an attempt to cause the pursuing police car to crash.
The pursuit lasted for approximately two and a half miles, leading to an orchard area near Denman Road, Celli said. Lamb drove his vehicle through the orchard, attempting to cause the pursuing officers to crash into trees and rock piles.
Lamb eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot near Old Highway 53. Due to Lamb having a felony warrant, his history of violence and his attempts to evade the police with reckless disregard for public safety, Celli said Cook deployed Max, sending him to apprehend Lamb.
Celli said Lamb failed to obey the warning given by Cook to stop and he continued running down to a creek and under a bridge where Max caught up with Lamb, biting him on the forearm.
Lamb continued to fight with Max for a period of time, ignoring orders from Cook to stop fighting the dog. Celli said Lamb eventually stopped fighting the K9 and he was taken into custody without further incident.
Lamb was discovered to be in possession of approximately 1.7 grams of methamphetamine and a hypodermic syringe, Celli said.
Medical personnel were summoned to the scene to provide first aid to Lamb, who Celli said was then transported to S. Helena Hospital Clear Lake by police officers for a medical clearance.
A search of the vehicle Lamb was driving revealed that he was in possession of pepper spray, Celli said.
Lamb was cleared for incarceration and was later booked at the Lake County Hill Road Jail for the felony warrant. Celli said Lamb additionally was charged with felony evading, assault with a deadly weapon, felony obstruction of a police officer, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of tear gas by a convicted felon.
Lamb remains in custody at the Hill Road Jail with bail set at $60,000, Celli said.