CLEARLAKE >> An enforcement stop on Sunday morning which escalated into a vehicle pursuit has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of an assault rifle, metal knuckles and ammunition.
Derek Boudreaux and Amy Lynn Jones, both of Susanville, were arrested by Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies following a brief high speed chase in Clearlake.
The incident began just after 3 a.m. on Sunday when a deputy on patrol along Lakeshore Blvd. noticed the vehicle ahead — a Chevrolet U-Haul van — cross over the fog line, weave within the lane of traffic and continually vary its speed. The deputy activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop to ensure the driver was safe to operate the vehicle.
Jonas, the driver, pulled over and stopped the vehicle on Lakeshore Blvd. in the area of Emory Ave.
According to a report issued by LCSO Lt. Steve Brooks, Jonas told the deputy that she did not have her driver’s license with her. A second deputy arrived on scene to assist with the enforcement stop. As the second deputy approached the vehicle he noticed a white male adult lying in the back of the van. He was later identified as Boudreaux.
The deputies opened the cargo doors to contact Boudreaux, who was reportedly unrestrained and riding in the cargo area. Brooks reported that the deputies immediately noticed two loaded AR-15 type magazines beside Boudreaux’s feet and a rifle barrel under his head.
As the deputy announced the presence of the rifle, Jonas reportedly accelerated away. Both deputies ran back to their patrol vehicles and pursued the van.
According to Brooks the deputies followed the van eastbound on Lakeshore Boulevard to Highway 53 at approximately 65 miles per hour. The van turned southbound on Highway 53 and accelerated to approximately 100 miles per hour.
The pursuit was brief. The van slowed and turned onto 18th Avenue, where it pulled into the parking lot of the St. Helena Clearlake Hospital and stopped.
Both Jonas and Boudreaux were detained without further incident.
Deputies searched the van and reportedly located the two loaded AR-15 style magazines along with additional ammunition, which appeared to be the same type loaded into the magazines. The also found metal knuckles, which contained a knife blade.
They were unable to locate the rifle inside the van. So a deputy requested assistance from the Clearlake Police Department and asked if they could search the area along the path of the pursuit. Personnel from the Clearlake Police Department located the rifle in the 14000 block of Lakeshore Blvd.
The deputies seized the rifle as evidence and noticed that Boudreaux’s name was engraved on the side of the scope, which was mounted on the firearm.
Boudreaux, 55, faces charges of a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of an assault weapon and destroying or concealing evidence. Jonas, 36, faces charges of evading a peace officer and for having an out of county warrant.
Both subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
