On January 23, 2025, in Del Norte County, California, a high-speed chase unfolded as California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers pursued a stolen Honda after it evaded an officer's attempt to stop it on Elk Valley Road. The driver was speeding at 65 mph when the chase began. The suspect evaded the officer initially by going into the Kings Valley Mobile Estates on Kings Valley Road and parking in a driveway, until the driver attempted to flee again when they saw the CHP vehicle approaching. The chase continued as the stolen Honda sped down Kings Valley Road towards Highway 101, heading northbound towards Oregon. several miles after the suspect crossed into Oregon, a Brookings, Oregon police officer deployed a spike strip, successfully deflating one of the rear tires. Despite the damage, the driver headed back to Highway 101 and went southbound, re-entering California. The pursuit ended just south of the Gilbert Creek Bridge on Highway 101, when a CHP officer executed a PIT maneuver, bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop. The suspect, identified as Merle Southard, was taken into custody without further incident and booked into the Del Norte County Jail on multiple charges. Southard was in Possession of a white crystalline substance in rock form suspected to be methamphetamine Item weight - 3.5 grams, Packaged weight - 20.4 grams. Southard had two active warrants for his arrest: Ramey warrant for 664/187 PC Attempted murder, 211 PC Robbery - Bail $300,000 Bench warrant for 484 (A) PC - Petty Theft - Bail $5,000 Southard was booked into the Del Norte County Jail for his active warrants and the following charges: 496(D) - Receive/Etc. Known Stolen Property Over $200. 10851(A) - Take Vehicle W/O Owner's Consent. 2800.2(A) - Evasion - Wanton Disregard for Safety. 2800.4(A) - Evading while willfully driving the wrong way. 10851(A) VC - Driving a stolen vehicle. 23152(F) VC - Driving under the influence of a drug. 11377(A) HS - Possession of methamphetamine. 11364(A) HS - Possession of drug paraphernalia. 636.5 PC - Possession of a police scanner while committing another crime. 12500(A) VC - Driving without a license. 18 USC 1073 - Flight to avoid prosecution across a state line. CHP officers involved: Officer T. Scott ID 022238 - Investigating officer. Officer D. Ward ID 21221 - Secondary unit, Scene assistance. Sergeant P. Price ID 20491 - Scene supervisor. Brookings Police Department Officer C. Kimball ID 63858 - Spike Strip Deployment. #police #pursuit #cops #chp #policechase

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