CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department said it is investigating a rolling gun battle involving two vehicles that had taken place throughout the city and into the unincorporated county late Tuesday.
Sgt. Rodd Joseph said so far one person of interest, 36-year-old Clearlake resident Robert Bradley, has been identified in the case, with more subjects being sought.
At 10:30 p.m. Tuesday Clearlake Police officers responded to a report of a shooting which had just occurred at Flyers gas station, located at 15010 Lakeshore Drive, according to Joseph.
As the first officer was arriving on scene, Joseph said witnesses reported that the two involved vehicles had just fled north on Old Highway 53 from Flyers.
He said witnesses described the vehicles as a brand new white Jeep Cherokee being chased by a gray Ford Taurus.
Joseph said the witnesses on scene also reported that the Jeep Cherokee had either one or two occupants and had fired several shots at a group of four Hispanic male adults who were standing near the parked Taurus.
The rounds appeared to have missed the group and instead stuck the Travelodge building, located several hundred yards south of Flyers at 4775 Old Highway 53, Joseph said.
One of the group of four Hispanic male adults then retrieved an object from the trunk of the Taurus and two of the four males fled in the Taurus, chasing after the Cherokee north on Old Highway 53 at a high rate of speed, Joseph reported.
Joseph said officers left Flyers and began trying to locate the vehicles.
During this time the Clearlake Police Department dispatch center began receiving numerous emergency calls reporting the two vehicles were exchanging gunfire, according to Joseph.
Joseph said Clearlake Police dispatch center also received emergency calls reporting gunfire between the two involved vehicles from the following general areas of the city; the color named streets off of Olympic Drive, the area around the Clearlake Community Senior Center, the area around Pomo School., the 5800 block of Old Highway 53, 18th Avenue and 33rd Avenue.
A short while later Clearlake Police Department dispatch center was notified of a similar call made to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center, placing the vehicles on northbound Highway 29 near Bell Park Avenue in Lower Lake, and that they were still shooting at each other, Joseph said.
Clearlake Police officers began checking the areas where the shots fired calls had been reported between the two vehicles. Joseph said the officers were able to find and collect evidence and speak with witnesses at some of these locations.
Just after midnight on Wednesday, Joseph said a woman called the Clearlake Police Department and stated she was driving the white Jeep which was being sought by law enforcement.
She claimed her vehicle was heavily damaged by gunfire and she had been chased to the area near the Clear Lake State Park in the Kelseyville area of unincorporated Lake County, Joseph said.
Joseph said the woman agreed to return to the Clearlake Police Department to speak with officers.
She later met with investigating officers at the Clearlake Police Department. Her brand new white Jeep Patriot, which resembles a Jeep Cherokee, had extensive gunfire damage to the rear portion of the vehicle, Joseph said.
The woman was interviewed and subsequently released without charges at this time, according to Joseph.
Later in the morning a person of interest in this case, identified as Robert Bradley, was arrested on a parole violation hold. He was later booked into the Lake County Jail, Joseph said.
Joseph said Bradley has not yet been charged with any of the offenses in this crime spree.
This case is still under investigation and some facts of this case are being withheld for investigatory purposes, Joseph said.
He said the Ford Taurus and its two occupants have not yet been identified or located. The Ford Taurus may have gunfire damage to it as well.
It is not believed that anyone was injured in this incident; however, involved suspects are still being sought, Joseph said.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact investigating Officer Michael Perreault at 707-994-8251, Extension 519.
Clearlake Police Department investigates rolling gun battle; suspects sought
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