17-Year-Old Driver Leads Law Enforcement on Night Time Vehicle Pursuit in Northern Mendocino County

Vehicle Pursuit

At approximately 10:15 on the evening of August 24, 2021 Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted a traffic stop on a black Dodge ram which resulted in a vehicle pursuit exceeding speeds of 100 miles per hour and the eventual detainment and citation of the 17-year-old driver and 19-year-old passenger.

Sergeant Matthew Harvey of the California Highway Patrol Garberville Office told us the pursuit began on Highway 101 near the intersection with Reynolds highway after MCSO deputies attempted to stop the vehicle for “oversized tires,” a safety concern associated with vehicle being too high off the ground which can throw mud and other hazards behind a vehicle. CHP was requested to take over the pursuit while MCSO deputies continued to assist.

Sergeant Harvey said CHP’s Laytonville’s resident post officer got into position and took over as the primary unit continuing north on Highway 101 where the vehicle reached speeds of 100 miles per hour.

The vehicle cut east on Highway 162, a particularly windy road driving up to 90 miles per hour, where Sergeant Harvey said the driver “continued to evade” driving at a high rate of speed. Traffic was light at that hour and as law enforcement observed the vehicle “showing driving behavior consistent with reckless driving.”

The vehicle cut north on Dos Rios road and stayed right onto Poonkinney Road, a road once again characterized by tight corners and thin lanes. The pursuing officer “briefly lost sight of the vehicle” on Poonkinney Road and chose to discontinue the pursuit, continued searching, and found the vehicle unoccupied and abandoned on the side of Poonkinney Road.

At that point, both MCSO deputies and Round Valley Tribal Police were enroute to the location and Sergeant Harvey explained that as Tribal Police rounded a corner they located and detained who they believed and later confirmed were the driver and passenger of the vehicle.

Sergeant Harvey said the driver of the vehicle was a 17-year-old male from Round Valley who was placed under arrest for felony evading, violation of probation terms, and delaying/obstructing/resisting a police officer. The driver’s name cannot be released due to him being a minor. The minor was “released to a responsible parent at the scene,” Sergeant Harvey said.

Bryan Sachez [Mugshot from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Booking Logs]

The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Bryan Sanchez-Montiel, a 19-year-old who was  placed under arrest for delaying/obstructing/resisting a police officer and violation of probation who was also cited and released at the scene.

Bryan Sanchez, according to press releases issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, has been booked in the last year for felony residential burglary and found with a 17-year-old male at the Lake Mendocino Boat ramp in possession of heroin, cocaine, and a hand gun.

Initial reporting regarding the circumstances indicated responding officers were concerned a firearm could be involved and Sergeant Harvey explained that no firearms were located. He explained the vehicle’s registered owner is known to carry firearms, not the 17-year-old driver or 19-year-old passenger.

CHP Air Operations were actually dispatched out of Redding and en route to the vehicle pursuit that evening, but the pursuit was successfully ended before they reached location, Sergeant Harvey explained.

Considering the precipitous nature of the roadways involved in Tuesday night’s vehicle pursuit, Sergeant Harvey described the extensive training CHP officers undertake to safely maneuver their vehicles around the steep grades and hairpin turns of Mendocino County’s roadways. He told us CHP officers train for a variety of terrains, temperatures, and conditions.

Sergeant Harvey said there are specialized tracks CHP officers use to practice “S” curves at high speeds, understanding the dynamics of all of the vehicles (Dodge Chargers, Chevrolet Tahoes, old school Crown Victorias). CHP Officers practice how to recover a vehicle when it skids out of control and participate in annual reviews of these skills on “short, condensed tracks” designed to simulate the conditions where these skills are necessary.

Beyond the maneuvering, Sergeant Harvey said CHP officers are trained to constantly evaluate the risk vs. gain in continuing a vehicle pursuit. Pursuing officers have to always consider whether the risk of chasing the vehicle can endanger the public. There are several factors that inform that decision making including driving behavior, weather, and roadway conditions. He described this decision making process as complex requiring constant consideration and evaluation. CHP’s vehicle pursuit policy has actually been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Sergeant Harvey said.

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Possible win-win?
Guest
Possible win-win?
2 years ago

CHP. Offer that 17 year old a job. Point out he’d take home more money than growing in RV. Retire at 48. Drive fast…when appropriate, and with training.

Kym Kemp
Admin
2 years ago

Snort!

Muddy Black Dodge
Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Hi Kym, any pictures of the truck … I have oversized tires and a 6″ suspension lift, wondering if I’ll get pulled over for such a thing… is that the ‘no mud flaps law’….? Sounds like an excuse to pull someone, no a reason to pull some over… My dad calls it a “fishing trip” like pulling over someone to see if their window tint is too dark or if they are Black/Latino driving a rental car in the Emerald Triangle…

Kym Kemp
Admin
2 years ago

No photos unfortunately.

Mee
Guest
Mee
2 years ago

Follow the vehicle code law ie no lift kit etc and it will not be a problem.

My GUESS is it has zero to do with their skin color and more to do with the gang tats on their face. Love how these scum bags are caught with drugs, stolen jewelry and illegal possessing guns then want to blame the cops andcome up with BS excuses like race cared or other crap.

The cops do not endanger the other drives by chasing criminals the people running from the cops are the problem. If they pull over there is no pursuit. Funny how that works.

Well sounds like the 17yo is fast tracking to success.

Mendo
Guest
Mendo
2 years ago

Just note: the Mendo CHP and Mendocino Sheriffs Department will make up any reason to pull you or your kids over. We are fortunate that we are not looking at a group of dead teenagers! The CHP and Mendo Sheriff have literally killed many people, many kids in these brainless chases… now they are chasing our sons and daughters for such stupidity as “over sized tires”… the CHP and Sheriff were willing to chase these kids out Covelo Rd and Poonkinney Rd on terribly dangerous roads for the sheer excitement of the chase. Over sized tires and failure to yield are not good enough excuses in my book. The Senseless cops high on adrnaline nearly killed these dkids and nearly killed us when they passed by us chasing these youths. There needs to be laws passed that protect the public from these fackas. How many dead teenagers does it take to “end the chase in California”? How many dead onlookers, how many dead infants and senior citizens? They are always willing to bring in their copter from Redding for car chases but never for missing persons. Lets not forget that CHP left that one black man down by the river last year after he crashed between Willits and Laytonville. HE FROZE TO DEATH INJURED! CHP didmt even call a helicopter to search for the man, the CHP did not even go down the embankment and look for Reggie. They didnt even search for him cause it was “cold and icey”. His family found him dead the next morning less than a quarter mile from the accident. He had froze to death of hypothermia… Of course it wasnt an adrenaline fueled chase though! These cops make stupid decisions like chasing a car for oversized tires, they risk innocent persons lives, they routinely kill our families and neighbors in these wreckless and senseless chases of andrenaline rage “we are the police: you must obey”. Slimey pigs who do not care about anything but obedience and power. Worthless scumbags to the core! When they are not chasing our youth they are busy robbing our farms and homes, stealing our property and stealing our cash which never ends up on the evidence receipts. We have a Sheriff Department who is high and drunk on power. They are not to be trusted or respected; they are the filth of Mendocino!

Rules are made to save lives.
Guest
Rules are made to save lives.
2 years ago
Reply to  Mendo

Your post is an overstatement of reality. Your beginning sentence should have said, “We are the drivers and we must obey the rules that ensure safety” for yourself and others who drive the roads. Large tires are not one of the rules unless the hang out beyond the wheel wells and then in rainy conditions they pose a hazard.

Antichrist
Guest
Antichrist
2 years ago

Well enforcing those same rules , saving lives need to be the focus not contempt of cop , shooting someone with a taser simply for refusing to get out of their car bullshit , a 80 year old grandmother no less smh police do not have a easy job by no means however the laws the level of enforcement needs to be relative the the crime, the average chimp has a iq of something like 93 while the average loe has a iq of 87. We basically have given a bunch of people with guns and permission to use them that are less intelligent than a bunch of chimps.
Ever see that youtube video where someone gives a chimp a ak-47 ? Well what do you expect will happen when we give weapons to a group that has a lower iq

Mr. Bear
Guest
Mr. Bear
2 years ago

“MCSO deputies attempted to stop the vehicle for “oversized tires”

That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve read this week. That is what we call an “excuse”

Non-fiction
Guest
Non-fiction
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Bear

Has been on the books a very long time in CA.
Nothing new.
The physics for the basis of the law is sound.

Pharmstheproblem
Guest
Pharmstheproblem
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Bear

Chip is aggressively enforcing road laws on the 101 mendo and Humboldt. Article yesterday….

Mendo
Guest
Mendo
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Bear

There is no excuse for risking the lives of our youth! Just because they are from Round Valley “the forgotten stepchild of Mendocino” … it does not give these assholes with badges a right to chase to death our youth who are still learning lessons, growing up and making mistakes along the way.. they cant just chase every fucking car that refuses to “yield to their authority”. We very easily could have been looking at 2 dead teenagers. This chase was pointless and endangered many innocent lives including these teenagers and officers. The CHP and Sheriff shouod have called it off as soon as it hit Covelo Road; but instead they kept the pursuit figuring lives from Covelo are worth less, another Racist decision! Calling for the immediate resignation of Sheriff Matt Kendall!

Meee
Guest
Meee
2 years ago
Reply to  Mendo

He has a latin kings gang tattoo on his face so screw that guy. What about his victims?

Me
Guest
Me
2 years ago

Agree, but if they were ‘good boys’ in the truck, why didn’t they just pull over? They could’ve tossed alot of bad things out of the truck during the pursuit. Not saying they did, but…

Mr. Bear
Guest
Mr. Bear
2 years ago
Reply to  Me

You’re missing my point.

A lying cop is not good

Enough already
Guest
Enough already
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Bear

Are you saying he did not have oversized tires, or are you saying that oversized tires do not create a hazzard by changing the dynamics of the vehicle? Or are you saying that because he used the violation of the oversized tires as a legal reason to stop and check for possible other illegal activities, he is lying about the tires? Or are we still missing your point?

Muddy Black Dodge
Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Bear

👍 Mr Bear.

Guyute
Guest
Guyute
2 years ago

Mine’s bigger

Mendo
Guest
Mendo
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Bear

Mendocino Sheriffs Deputies have had a culture of lying stealing and abusing power for decades! Calling for immediate resignation of Sheriff Matt Kendall!

Cannaqueen
Guest
Cannaqueen
2 years ago

Somebody scribbled on his face

UnflappableJack
Guest
UnflappableJack
2 years ago

Dad, this is my new boyfriend Bryan———–BOOM

UnCommonSense
Guest
UnCommonSense
2 years ago

“Responsible parent?”

Mike
Guest
Mike
2 years ago
Reply to  UnCommonSense

Seriously. That’s what I got from the article too.

Xebeche
Guest
Xebeche
2 years ago

I fear for the futures of these young men

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
2 years ago
Reply to  Xebeche

Yes, at this point it doesn’t look too promising.

joe dirt
Guest
joe dirt
2 years ago

can someone explain to me why anyone would get a neck face or head tat

Just saying...
Guest
Just saying...
2 years ago
Reply to  joe dirt

Joe Dirt most of those tattoos have something to do with his gang affiliation. If you look at the dot tattoos on his face there is one dot on one side and four dots on the other. That’s a gang tatoo. 14th st. I also do not understand why anyone would run a brand themselves with something like that especially on their face

Farce
Guest
Farce
2 years ago
Reply to  joe dirt

Many real natives- native American tribal members- wear them. It goes back a very long time and extends up into Alaskan tribes. Respect for them. I don’t know why anybody else would…confusion?

Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
2 years ago
Reply to  Farce

Ahh, yes, they must be traditional Native American ,um, face tats. Well, alrighty then..

Más Puto
Guest
Más Puto
2 years ago

I see we have gang experts up in here !!! Must of got that on Google eh 😐

charlie
Guest
charlie
2 years ago
Reply to  Más Puto

Watch a lot of gangland on TV and listen to snoop doggy dog…

Just saying...
Guest
Just saying...
2 years ago
Reply to  Más Puto

Mas Puto-Nope. I have worked in juvenile detention facilities. I have worked extensively with young people involved in gangs. I did not need Google to determine hat this young person is gang affiliated. Sorry to disappoint 😜

This guy
Guest
This guy
2 years ago

Get this guy in the mullet contest ASAP!

Entering a World of Pain
Guest
Entering a World of Pain
2 years ago
Reply to  This guy

Good call. That is a nice Tennessee waterfall

CookL
Guest
CookL
2 years ago

Made my day!

Entering a World of Pain
Guest
Entering a World of Pain
2 years ago

We all have know for years you can be pulled over for oversized tires especially if they stick out beyond the fender. Nothing new, just rarely enforced around here cuz 80% of the trucks are in violation

Mendo
Guest
Mendo
2 years ago

Its a pick and choose enforcement! Meaning: if your white oversized tires are okay…
But if your native or black or latino then oversized tires and failire to yield are enough to chase you out Covelo Road and Poonkinney and try to run and ram your car off the road! They will even kill you and point guns at you for failing to obey their bullshit authority. Calling for immediate resignation of Sheriff Matt Kendall!

Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
2 years ago

I’m so impressed that we taxpayers still have so much money to throw around that we’ll endanger multiple lives and send out a helicopter from Redding in pursuit of a bogus technical vehicle issue. Ok, so he wouldn’t pull over, I get it. But a helicopter from Redding? How much does that cost? Maybe the 6 closer counties were already using their helicopters for fire fighting.

Entering a World of Pain
Guest
Entering a World of Pain
2 years ago

I have to say I mostly agree. I’m sure at some point they got the plate number. Back off & take it from there. There’s basically one well traveled route in & out. They also like to use the “known to be armed” excuse. Basically who isn’t armed in covelo. If these cops actually cared about the Round Valley community they would be out there daily doing vehicle stops & letting people know it is a zero tolerance zone. But they are lazy cowards who talk a big talk & then go shake down some mom & pops

Reeds section
Guest
Reeds section
2 years ago

I see vehicles almost every day with tires extending beyond the wheel wells or with the fenders entirely removed. This has always been illegal because they will kick up rocks and endanger the occupants of other vehicles, including motorcycles. I was ticketed for this in the ‘70’s.