Authorities arrest Northshore woman in stolen car following pursuit
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Northshore woman was arrested Saturday after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit in a stolen car.
Miranda Leeann Ellingwood Estrella, 37, of Nice was arrested following the Saturday afternoon incident, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Paulich said that at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling in the Kelseyville area when he heard a radio broadcast related to a silver Ford Fusion that had just been stolen from the Upper Lake area by a blonde female, who later was identified as Ellingwood Estrella.
As the deputy was approaching Highland Springs Road, he observed the stolen vehicle traveling south on Highway 29 at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour and passing vehicles on the right shoulder, Paulich said.
A Lakeport Police officer also was in the area and attempted to stop the female driver of the stolen vehicle along with the deputy, Paulich said.
Paulich said Ellingwood Estrella failed to stop and accelerated to approximately 112 miles per hour.
She continued south on Highway 29, passing vehicles over double-yellow lines. Paulich said she turned onto Red Hills Road, continuing towards Highway 175 and crossing over double yellow lines.
He said Ellingwood Estrella turned onto Highway 175 and eventually stopped in a driveway in the 9400 block of Highway 175.
Paulich said the deputy gave commands to Ellingwood Estrella, but she did not comply. She appeared to be confused and disoriented.
She exited the vehicle, but would not raise her hands. Paulich said she had a bag in her hands that was obstructing the deputy from being able to see her hands.
Paulich said the deputy ordered Ellingwood Estrella to drop the bag several times, but she did not comply.
Fearing she could have a weapon and her continued failure to comply with the deputy’s commands, the deputy fired one less-lethal bean bag round that struck Ellingwood Estrella in the leg, Paulich said.
She then got back into the stolen vehicle and started to dig through the center console of the vehicle, according to Paulich.
Paulich said Ellingwood Estrella eventually followed commands exiting the vehicle and was taken into custody.
Authorities transported Ellingwood Estrella to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where she received medical attention, Paulich said.
She was later booked at the Lake County Jail on charges of vehicle theft, evading, and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to Paulich.
Paulich said Ellingwood Estrella is also on felony probation out of Mendocino County for burglary.
Ellingwood Estrella, who was scheduled to be in court for arraignment on Tuesday, remains in custody with bail set at $35,000, according to jail records.