CLEARLAKE — Clearlake Police arrested a man at gunpoint Saturday following a 12.3 mile vehicle pursuit. Logan Stuart Gavazza, 43, of Lower Lake, was booked into Lake County Jail on the following charges: possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, destroying/concealing evidence, obstruction, driving on a suspended license for previous driving under the influence and evading with disregard for public safety.
At about 5:41 p.m. an officer observed a vehicle traveling a high rate of speed in the area of West 40th Street and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle failed to pull over and attempted to evade the officer leading the officer on a pursuit that reached speeds of 70 mph in residential neighborhoods.
The vehicle traveled through the areas of Burns Valley and Rumsey Road and then onto Old Highway 53 to Highway 53. The vehicle continued in an eastbound direction toward the “Y” in Clearlake Oaks, allegedly reaching speeds up to 140 mph. Sgt. T. Celli said that at some point during the chase while traveling toward the “Y,” Gavazza turned off the vehicle”s headlights.
Gavazza continued his evasion effort toward Clearlake Oaks until turning on Sulphur Bank Drive where he continued in a southbound direction. The vehicle eventually stopped about a quarter mile south of North Drive where Gavazza was taken into custody at gunpoint.
According to Celli, officers pursuing the suspect saw a green object thrown from the vehicle as it traveled toward the “Y.” He said officers later returned to area to find a green canvas-type shaving bag containing methamphetamine.
Gavazza was driving a new Mustang GT; he was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
