Mendocino County authorities arrest Lake County man for motorcycle pursuit
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested a Lake County man wanted for a high-speed chase earlier this month.
Mark Andrew Nielsen, 33, of Nice, was arrested early Friday morning near Calpella, according to a report from Sgt. Jay Vanoven.
Vanoven said a vehicle pursuit in the Redwood Valley area on the evening of April 7 led to a large-scale search of the area for the suspect, who was later identified as Nielsen.
At that time, Nielsen, riding a motorcycle, led deputies on a chase with speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour, authorities said.
Nielsen was not located on that date. Vanoven said a be-on-the-lookout was issued requesting law enforcement arrest Nielsen for multiple felony offenses if located.
Throughout the following days, continuous followup and attempts to locate and arrest Nielsen were conducted, Vanyoven said.
That incident was nearly two weeks after a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy arrested Nielsen, who was driving a stolen vehicle and in possession of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl, as Lake County News has reported.
On Saturday at 2:20 a.m., a deputy observed a vehicle known to be associated with Nielsen in the area of Calpella, Vanoven said.
Vanoven said the deputy noticed the male driver and solo occupant of the vehicle ducked down, possibly attempting to conceal his identity. The deputy noticed several lighting equipment violations on the vehicle as it drove past his patrol vehicle.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted the male, who was positively identified as Nielsen, Vanoven said.
Nielsen was taken into custody without incident and he was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on the following charges for reckless driving while evading a peace officer, driving in the opposite lane of traffic while evading a peace officer, being armed in the commission of a felony, carrying an unregistered and loaded handgun, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, carrying a concealed weapon and violation of probation, Vanoven said.
Due to the severity of the crimes and risk posed to the community, a bail enhancement was requested by sheriff's deputies, Vanoven said. The request was granted and Nielsen was to be held at the Mendocino County Jail in lieu of $125,000 bail.
“The positive identification and ultimate apprehension of Nielsen was the direct result of cooperative effort between the community and the Sheriff's Office. This type of teamwork is vital to the continued protection of our community against violence and disorder,” Vanoven said.