CLEARLAKE >> A Clearlake Police Department K-9 unit chased down and arrested a man riding a stolen motorcycle on Thursday night.
Vincent Hassenzahl, 28 of Sonoma County, first attempted to outrace police. He was apprehended by “Bear,” a canine, after losing control of the motorcycle and attempting to flee on foot.
The incident began shortly after 10:15 p.m. on April 28, when a unity of routine patrol in Clearlake spotted a motorcycle with a rider and a female passenger traveling at a high rate of speed.
Dispatch identified the bike — a 2003 Harley Davidson — as one reported stolen in January.
As the bike turned off Old Highway 53 onto Ball Park Ave., officer Travis Parson attempted a traffic enforcement stop. Hassenzahl failed to yield and according to a press statement by Sgt. Travis Lenz, accelerated to an even greater speed, attempting to evade the officer.
Once on Lakeshore Drive, Hassenzahl reportedly traveled into the oncoming lane of traffic numerous times to pass vehicles ahead of him in his lane that were traveling the posted speed limit.
The chase ended on Sonoma Ave. Hassenzahl failed to stop at the posted stop sign, traveling through the intersection of Pomo and Arrowhead Roads onto Acacia. At this point he attempted to complete a high speed left turn onto Sonoma Avenue. Instead he skidded off the road and lost control of the motorcycle.
Hassenzahl quickly got up and proceeded to run westbound on Sonoma Avenue. Officer Parson exited his police vehicle and deployed his police canine after Hassenzahl failed to heed two orders to stop.
Bear quickly chased Hassenzahl down. According to Lenz there was a brief struggle as Hassenzahl pushed at the dog’s body with his hands as he tried to roll away from the dog’s grasp and escape. But Bear held on and officer Parson was able to detain him in handcuffs, placing him under arrest.
Hasenzahl has prior arrests for weapon related offenses, resisting arrest, possession of narcotics for the purpose of sales and is a convicted felon.
After being medically evaluated at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for injuries sustained as a result of being apprehended by the police canine, Hasenzahl was booked into the Lake County Jail facing charges of evading a police officer while driving in wanton and willful disregard for public safety, evading a police officer while traveling in the wrong direction of traffic, resisting arrest, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia and outstanding warrants out of the Sonoma County.
The female passenger sustained no injuries during the incident. After being questioned, the female was released from the scene with no criminal charges.
