Clearlake >> An officer took down a teenage man who police say was armed with a weapon Friday night after a short chase that led into an apartment complex.
Nathan McCloud faces multiple charges for a loaded firearm he allegedly had in his pocket. The 18-year-old Clearlake resident fled the scene of a crash in the 14700 block of Burns Valley Road, according to a report from Sgt. Travis Lenz.
Clearlake Police Department (CPD) officer Chris Kelleher was dispatched to the incident at about 10:22 p.m. He reportedly saw one of the vehicle occupants walking down the road. When Kelleher got out of his patrol vehicle the suspect, later identified as McCloud, bolted north into the Austin Manor apartment complex.
The officer ran after McCloud, during which time Kelleher alleges McCloud reached into his right pant pocket numerous times.
After several hundred feet, Kelleher caught up to McCloud and managed to “assist him to the ground,” Lenz said. There was a brief struggle, but the officer was able to overcome McCloud’s resistance and place him into handcuffs.
Then as Kelleher got McCloud back on his feet, an unidentified second male subject, who was believed to be with McCloud, approached them and began yelling obscenities at the officer, Lenz reported.
The second suspect also reportedly reached toward his waistline, which led Kelleher to believe he was armed with a weapon. Kelleher put the second male suspect at Taser point while he awaited the arrival of other officers. During this time, McCloud allegedly tried to head butt Kelleher.
When additional officers arrived on scene, the second suspect ran off and was not found by authorities.
Upon searching McCloud, Kelleher reportedly found a .380-caliber pistol in his right front pants pocket. This was reportedly the same pocket into which McCloud reached as Kelleher chased him.
McCloud was later booked into the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and faces charges of obstructing a peace officer by force, armed in the commission of a felony, carrying a loaded concealed firearm in a public place and possession of a concealed firearm.
Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to contact Kelleher at the CPD at (707) 994- 8251 extension 516.
