Clearlake >> An alleged reckless driver was caught after a high-speed chase through city streets when a police K-9 nabbed him in the leg.
Police say Venancio Martinez, 26, repeatedly crossed over into oncoming traffic at high speeds in an attempt to evade officers Friday night.
The Clearlake resident was reportedly driving a 2008 Smart car southbound on Old Highway 53 when officer Jesse Scott saw him cross over the double-yellow line near Hillcrest Avenue, according to Clearlake Police Department (CPD) Sgt. Travis Lenz.
It was roughly 9:45 p.m. when the incident began. Martinez allegedly failed to pull over as Scott attempted a traffic stop, instead speeding up and driving off.
He went on the wrong side of the road multiple times during the pursuit and “well in excess of the posted speed limit,” Lenz said in a press release. The chase ended when Martinez drove into a dead end driveway with a locked gate in the 14000 block of Eastlake Drive.
With backup from CPD officers Michael Dietrick, Mark Harden and his K-9 partner Zip, Scott ordered Martinez to step out of the vehicle. He was told to face away from the officers and place his hands in the air, but allegedly failed to comply.
Martinez turned to the officers and briefly put his hands in the air before abruptly placing one hand behind his back near his waistband, police allege. Officers ordered Martinez to put his hands back in the air, but he would not comply.
Fearing that Martinez was reaching for a weapon concealed in his waistband, Harden decided to deploy his police K-9, Lenz said. Zip grabbed Martinez by his lower right leg and officers were able to detain Martinez in handcuffs.
“After his arrest, it was determined Martinez was unarmed during this incident,” Lenz said. “It is unclear why Martinez failed to comply with the lawful commands given to him by officers, and why he made the abrupt movement with his hand.”
Martinez was medically evaluated at Saint Helena Hospital, Clear Lake, before being booked into the Lake County jail for allegedly 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, driving while under the influence alcohol, and driving without a valid California driver’s license.
Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to contact Scott at the CPD at (707) 994- 8251 extension 544.
