News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Teenage Motorcyclist Arrested After Pursuit (Update 3)

Teenage Motorcyclist Arrested After Pursuit (Update 3)

Lake Arrowhead Resident

By Michael P. Neufeld
Friday, May 16, 2008

View Alert

Update 3 — Friday 9:25 a.m.

A user with the same name as the alleged high speed motorcycle chase suspect, posted a video in December of his motorcycle driving experience in the area of Grass Valley and the Pinnacles near Lake Arrowhead. See Motorcycle Chase Suspect Posted Video.

In a MySpace.com profile with the same name and hometown as the suspect, he is quoted as saying, "I am addicted to goin' fast."

Update 2 — Thursday 5:55 a.m.

Lake Arrowhead, CA — The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate Wednesday's motorcycle pursuit that eventually led to the arrest of a 16-year-old Lake Arrowhead resident.

CHP and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies pursued the teenager on several mountain roads and trails with the assistance of the Sheriff's Department helicopter.

One of San Bernardino County Sheriff Department' s helicopters, designated 40-King. (Photo by San Bernardino County Sheriff Department.)

The pursuit started at 8:49 a.m. and ended with deputies taking the suspect into custody at 10:08 a.m.

"The young man decided to park his motorcycle on a remote mountain trail," according to Sgt. Michael Browne of the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station, "and await his eventual arrest by officers hiking into the area because their patrol unit was too wide for the trail."

Sgt. Browne indicated the motorcycle still had plenty of gasoline at the end of the pursuit.

"In fact," Sgt. Browne told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, "one of our deputies rode the bike out of the area where it was recovered and it was impounded by the Highway Patrol."

Update — Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Lake Arrowhead, CA – A teenage motorcyclist lead law enforcement officials on a lengthy pursuit today (May 14) that ended on a dirt trail in Lake Arrowhead.

Scanner reports indicate California Highway Patrol officers and Twin Peaks Sheriff's deputies pursued the unidentified 16-year-old Lake Arrowhead resident on several different highways and trails before his eventual arrest at 10:08 a.m.

At roughly 8:49 a.m., the CHP reported they were in pursuit of a black off-road motorcycle on Highway 18 near Santa's Village at speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour.

Moments later, scanner transmissions reported the suspect was making a right turn on Kuffel Canyon Road. He was described as a white male with blonde hair and wearing black leathers and a silver and red helmet. Officers indicated he was also wearing a backpack.

The next transmission at 8:52 a.m. was that the motorcycle was now in the Cedar Glen area east bound on Highway 173. A CHP unit reported the bike was now approaching the entrance to Mountains Community Hospital at about 30-40 miles per hour and then passing Golden Rule.

At 8:57 a.m. at the pursuit was approaching North Bay Road, a Sheriff's Department unit joined the pursuit on North Bay following the motorcycle to Peninsula Drive where the driver headed west bound with several patrol units trailing behind.

At 9 a.m., the motorcyclist turned right on Grass Valley Road and began picking up speed in excess of 50 miles per hour as he approached Deer Lodge Park. When the unidentified biker reached Highway 173 he turned right and rode past the locked gates heading back towards North Bay Road.

At 9:05 a.m. the description of the motorcycle was broadcast as a red Honda XR650 and a Sheriff's Department helicopter was following the bike from the air. 40 King reported the driver was dropping some items off under a tree and was heading south bound on Polar Drive and then entered Forest Service Road 2N24.

CHP officers cut the gate on Highway 173 at 9:08 a.m. and were reportedly heading through the closed section of Highway 173.

At 9:17 a.m., 40 King reported the suspect was on Willow Creek Trail and was off the bike underneath some trees.

Meanwhile, Rim of the World Unified School District busses were detained for a short period on Gras Valley Road while pursuing units cleared the area. At 9:23 a.m. they were allowed to continue to their destinations.

At the same time, the suspect was seen from the air on Willow Creek Jeep Trail and heading towards Squints Ranch with 40 King reporting their location just north of Ash Meadows.

At 9:39 a.m. the suspect was reported sitting on the ground by his motorcycle in the shade and under a tree. Twelve minutes later the subject was still on the ground as deputies hiked into the remote area because the path was too narrow for the patrol unit.

At 10:08 a.m., deputies reached the motorcyclist and took him into custody without further incident.

During the investigation, officers discovered the license plate on the motorcycle was missing and CHP units reported they had the backpack in their possession and located the missing license plate.

The suspect was taken into custody but because of his age his name will not be released by authorities.

Original Story 10:30 a.m.

Lake Arrowhead, CA – An unidentified motorcyclist led law enforcement officials on a lengthy pursuit today (May 14) that led to his eventual arrest.

Initial scanner reports indicate the subject had long blonde hair, a black beanie and a gray jacket when he was eventually arrested at 10:08 a.m.

California Highway Patrol officers and San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies were assisted by a Sheriff's Department helicopter as the motorcyclist made his way on several different highways and trails.

Details of the chase and arrest will be announced shortly.