Clearlake >> A Clearlake man allegedly tried to dispose of a weapon during a vehicle pursuit Monday evening.
Jose Murillo allegedly tossed a .38-caliber revolver to the side of the road during the chase that began when Clearlake officer Jared Nixon attempted to conduct an enforcement stop at about 7:17 p.m., Clearlake Police Department (CPD) Sgt. Travis Lenz said.
Nixon — currently in training and under the supervision of Lenz, who was sitting in the passenger seat of their patrol vehicle — spotted what he believed to be a suspicious Dodge truck on Old Highway 53.
The officer followed the truck and noticed a vehicle code violation for which he attempted conduct a traffic enforcement stop on Austin Drive near the Ridge Lake Apartments. When he activated his lights and siren the truck drove through the west entrance to a parking lot and accelerated. There were numerous people near the roadway and in danger, Lenz said.
The driver, later identified Murillo, 38, drove the truck out of the parking lot and headed eastbound on Austin Drive. Murillo made an abrupt right turn onto Dexter Lane and drove into a vacant field prior to coming to a complete stop, Lenz said. He was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest at that time.
During a search of Murillo’s person, Nixon allegedly found a small plastic bag which contained 8.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Officers reportedly also found several live .38-caliber rounds of ammunition, yet did not locate a firearm. They began checking the area and found a 38-caliber revolver lying in the roadway of Dexter Lane at the intersection of Austin Drive, Lenz said.
Based on statements, investigators determined Murillo threw the pistol from the vehicle during the pursuit. Murillo, who is a convicted felon, was booked into the Lake County jail facing charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, evading a police officer while driving in wanton and willful disregard for public safety, possession of narcotics for the purposes of sales and driving on a suspended driver license.
Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to contact Nixon at the CPD at (707) 994-8251 ext. 543.
