Three arrested for pursuit that led from Mendocino County to Lake County
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
This story has been updated regarding the cause of the initial traffic stop attempt that led to the pursuit.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Three Ukiah residents were arrested early Sunday following a vehicle pursuit that began in Mendocino County and finally ended in Lake County.
Donovan Williams, 40, along with Marvin Gibson and Amber Ricetti, both age 34, were taken into custody after the chase ended, according to Sgt. Mike Dygert of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
On Saturday night, a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to conducted a traffic enforcement stop on 2002 blue BMW sedan on Highway 20 near the intersection of Marina Drive in Redwood Valley, Dygert said.
Dygert said the driver, later identified as Williams, fled eastbound on Highway 20 at a high rate of speed estimated to be between 80 and 100 miles per hour. Mendocino County deputies pursued the vehicle into Lake County.
Williams weaved in and out of traffic at high rates of speed and crossed over into oncoming lanes without due regard for anyone’s safety as he attempted to escape capture from pursuing deputies, Dygert reported.
According to scanner traffic, Williams’ vehicle crossed the Lake County line just after 11:30 p.m.
Dygert said Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol Officers assisted in the pursuit.
The chase traveled down Scotts Valley Road to Hendricks at about 85 miles per hour. From there, they reached the city of Lakeport, traveling down Martin Street to Main Street, and then onto Soda Bay Road, where speeds were reported to be about 90 miles per hour, according to radio reports.
They reached the Rivieras in under 10 minutes, where deputies reported that speeds slowed in residential areas but Williams sped through a stop sign.
Shortly after midnight, a high risk stop was conducted on Red Hills Road near the intersection of Highway 20. Dygert said Williams’ vehicle was disabled by spike strips.
Dygert said Williams, along with Ricetti, who was riding as the front passenger, and Gibson, who was the rear passenger, exited the vehicle after the stop.
Deputies and officers detained all three just before 12:10 a.m. Sunday, according to radio reports.
Williams was arrested for an open charge of felony evading a peace officer, one Sonoma County felony arrest warrant for reckless evading of a peace officer and two misdemeanor warrants, one from Lake County for methamphetamine possession and one from Mendocino County for driving on a suspended license, Dygert said. Bail was set at $60,000.
Dygert said Ricetti was arrested for violating her probation and obstructing or delaying a police officer.
Gibson was arrested for two Mendocino County warrants, one a felony and one a misdemeanor, and both for carrying a concealed weapon. Dygert said Gibson’s bail was set at $25,000.
All three subjects were booked into the Mendocino County Jail on their listed charges, Dygert said.
In response to questions about why the Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy initially tried to pull the vehicle over, Capt. Greg Van Patten of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office told Lake County News that it was due to illegal window tinting and unsafe lane change, as well as the belief that Williams – who had an active felony arrest warrant – was in the vehicle.
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