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Detectives arrest Kelseyville man following high speed chase through Upper Lake; meth seized
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A Kelseyville man who led narcotics detectives on a high speed chase through Upper Lake last week was arrested on a number of charges related to drugs and evasion, with authorities also seizing an ounce and a half of methamphetamine.
Jeremy Wayne Griffin, 33, was arrested following the late night pursuit, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
At 10:20 p.m. last Wednesday, Nov. 13, narcotics detectives observed a red Porsche 944 coupe with a shattered windshield enter the parking lot of Three Brothers Chevron in Upper Lake, said Brooks.
Brooks said they identified the driver as Griffin, who drove completely around the parking lot and then accelerated eastbound on Highway 20, well over the posted speed limit.
Narcotics detectives activated their emergency lights and siren to conduct an enforcement stop, which Griffin ignored. Detectives reported Griffin was traveling in excess of 90 miles per hour as he passed the Running Creek Casino, which was open for business and has a pedestrian crosswalk across Highway 20, Brooks said.
Griffin attempted to turn left onto Old Lucerne Road, but lost control and went into a sideways skid toward a power pole at the intersection. Brooks said the vehicle came to a stop on the dirt embankment on the northeast side of the intersection.
Griffin accelerated rapidly, causing the rear tires to break traction as he completed a sliding u-turn around the detective vehicle, continuing northbound onto Old Lucerne Road, Brooks said.
Detectives followed as Griffin accelerated to speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour in a residential area. Brooks said Griffin eventually turned onto Elliot Street, which is a short dead end residential street.
The detectives said Griffin was traveling with his door open as the street came to an end and he entered an unpaved driveway, according to Brooks.
Griffin stopped the vehicle as the driveway ended, jumped out and started running westbound through residential yards. Brooks said detectives chased Griffin as he climbed over a fence and attempted to conceal himself by crawling into a large section of blackberry bushes. Detectives ordered Griffin to crawl out of the bushes and he complied.
Detectives retraced the foot pursuit and located a quart size plastic bag on the ground where Griffin climbed the fence, Brooks said.
The bag contained a large quantity of white semi-translucent crystals, which the detectives recognized as crystal methamphetamine. Brooks said the bag was later weighed and determined to contain 40.8 grams, which has a street value of over $4,000.
During a search of Griffin’s vehicle detectives also located a glass pipe, which is commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, inside the driver’s side door pocket, Brooks said.
Griffin was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, evading a peace officer with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, destroying or concealing evidence, resisting arrest and driving while license is suspended. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.
Bail was set at $35,000, with jail records indicating Griffin later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.