Early Wednesday evening, April 29th, California Highway Patrol Units were requested to take over a pursuit from California State Parks as it continued northbound on Hwy. 101. State Parks had originally stopped the vehicle, a white Ford pickup, for several traffic violations and subsequently determined the vehicle was stolen.
During that initial stop, according to a California Highway Patrol press release, State Parks Officers utilized an Electronic Control Device on the suspect. The suspect was able to remove the probes and flee the scene.
Humboldt Area CHP Units took over as the pursuit approached the Fortuna area and a spike strip was successfully deployed causing damage to both right-side tires of the suspect vehicle.
The driver exited Hwy. 101 and continued fleeing into the Cutten Area. Humboldt Area CHP Units utilized a ‘PIT’ maneuver to stop the suspect vehicle damaging a sign and a private fence. The driver refused to exit the vehicle and attempted to drive away as officers approached and opened the passenger side door. The less lethal shotgun with Kinetic Energy Munitions was deployed by California Highway Patrol and the driver was subsequently taken into custody. A dog in the vehicle was safely removed and taken to the Humboldt County Animal Shelter.
The suspect, identified as 41 year old Wayne Robert Mathern of Minnesota, suffered minor injuries and was medically cleared prior to being booked at the Humboldt County Jail. No other persons were injured during this incident.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.