Recent incidents handled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) saw officers making headlines with cases including a sideshow pursuit leading to an arrest of a suspect in Sacramento, along with K9 officer assisting with a drug and weapons arrest.
Arrest Following Pursuit
The CHP’s Air-21 (A-21) fixed-wing airplane assisted the South Sacramento CHP Office and Sacramento Police Department during an active sideshow operation. As patrol units converged on the scene, both participants and spectators dispersed. A CHP Valley K-9 Unit then initiated a stop on a rapidly moving vehicle. Despite the involvement of multiple agencies, the suspect managed to evade capture while driving at speeds exceeding 160 mph. The suspect led CHP and allied agencies through a lengthy pursuit as units lost sight and discontinued the pursuit. A-21 stayed with the vehicle and coordinated with CHP and allied agencies. The car eventually came to a stop in front of a residence in Sacramento. The vehicle’s occupants fled on foot; however, A-21 was able to provide accurate locations, leading to their arrest without further incidents.
CHP K-9 Assistance
On February 10, a CHP Red Bluff officer and his K-9 partner, Tripp, were on patrol in Tehama County, within the city of Corning. The officer noticed a white pickup truck without license plates. After initiating an enforcement stop, he spotted several signs of potential criminal activity. The Red Bluff officer called upon the K-9 officer to conduct a free air sniff where Tripp indicated the presence of narcotics. A comprehensive search of the vehicle was conducted. The search led to the discovery of two unregistered, loaded handguns, marijuana plants, processed marijuana, and three fighting roosters.
Fungus Among Us
An enforcement stop was initiated on February 6 by a Central Division CHP K-9 officer involving a 2021 Dodge pickup on I-5 Northbound at Nees Avenue in Fresno County. During the contact, the officer smelled the strong odor of burnt marijuana emitting from within the Dodge. The CHP K-9 partner Shei was subsequently deployed on the vehicle’s exterior and alerted to the presence of narcotics. This led to a probable cause search, resulting in the discovery of approximately 50 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms in the vehicle’s bed. The driver, identified as Phillip Yoon, was taken into custody and booked into the Fresno County Jail, charged with possession of mushrooms for sale and transportation of mushrooms across noncontiguous counties.
‘Paw’sitive Rescues
On February 7, an officer conducting patrol duties on Green Valley Road, Santa Cruz, spotted a dog, Oreo, roaming dangerously close to traffic. Exhibiting swift and decisive action, the officer controlled the traffic and secured the pet within his patrol vehicle. This swift intervention ensured safety and avoided possible mishaps. The story concluded positively, with the owner expressing immense relief and gratitude upon the safe return of their cherished pet.
On February 11, an officer responded to a distress call in East LA involving a puppy stranded on the ledge of a sound wall on the SR-60 in El Monte. The dog was safely recovered and has since been reunited with its owner, from whom it had been separated for a full day.
‘Sticky’ Situation
Officers from CHP Hayward responded to a traffic hazard on I-580 at Redwood Road on February 7, discovering an unusual sight – thousands of chopsticks dispersed all over the lanes. Someone turned the freeway into a giant game of pick-up sticks. Unfortunately, this meant a local restaurant might’ve been short on utensils that night. Let this incident serve as a responsible reminder to secure your load and prevent your cargo from making an unexpected detour. Such circumstances pose a safety risk for everyone.
