The latest roundup of significant incidents involving the California Highway Patrol (CHP) includes a collaborative sideshow enforcement operation with allied agencies and a Dublin officer seizing 270 pounds of marijuana and $36,000 in cash.
Sideshow Enforcement
On Feb. 15, a collaborative operation was conducted involving the CHP from the Hayward and Oakland areas, the Alameda County Sheriff and the San Leandro Police Department. This operation was a sideshow suppression detail focused on the East Bay. The ground units were supplemented by airborne resources: a helicopter from Golden Gate Division and a helicopter from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department. All pursuits concluded successfully, and all suspects were arrested. Numerous vehicles were impounded, and an array of stolen vehicles were successfully recovered.
Dublin Drug Seizure
The CHP graveyard crew in Dublin made a stop on a Honda Accord on Feb. 19 for driving over 100 mph on westbound I-580 west of Airway Boulevard. The vehicle yielded near Tassajara Road. After contacting the driver, officers noticed large garbage bags and a smell of marijuana emitting from the car. This speed stop resulted in the seizure of 270 pounds of marijuana, over $36,000 in cash and an arrest.
Officers On ‘High’ Alert
In action on Feb. 18, CHP Officers Ramos and Villa made a traffic stop on a vehicle cutting across a cone pattern while Caltrans workers were outside their vehicles working on the freeway. After contacting the driver, Officer Ramos observed the driver exhibiting objective signs and symptoms of impairment. Additionally, Officer Villa observed a freshly used nitrous oxide tank. Upon further investigation, the driver was placed under arrest for suspicion of inhaling nitrous oxide to cause a condition of intoxication.
Vehicle Pursuit
After an alert was received by officers of the CHP Oakland Area office from a Flock Safety Camera on Feb. 19 reporting a stolen Jeep in the Oakland region, the Golden Gate Division’s fixed-wing aircraft (Air-37), already in the area, quickly identified the vehicle and began offering real-time location updates to ground units. An enforcement stop was attempted but was unsuccessful as the driver failed to yield, triggering a pursuit. Air-37 continued its monitoring of the suspect vehicle until it came to a halt near 16th Street and Market Street, where the driver proceeded on foot. Subsequently, the suspect tried to avoid apprehension by boarding a public bus near 14th Street and Market Street. CHP officers responded promptly, halted the bus, and detained the suspect safely without any further occurrence. The individual was subsequently arrested and was transported to the Santa Rita Jail on multiple charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading, evading against the correct direction of traffic, and possession of stolen property.
San Jose Rescue
On Valentine’s Day, San Jose-based CHP officers made a significant contribution to the safety of the community. They successfully retrieved a dog, Bernie, from active freeway lanes, averting a potential calamity. The animal was subsequently relocated to a local shelter, where a microchip was discovered. The shelter connected with Bernie’s family and successfully brought Bernie home.
