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Clearlake Oaks man arrested for drugs, firearm
NICE, Calif. – Proactive enforcement efforts by a Lake County Sheriff’s patrol deputy last week resulted in one arrest and the seizure of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.
Daniel Patrick Hard, 50, of Clearlake Oaks was taken into custody following a traffic stop, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
At 2 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, a deputy working patrol in the Nice area was traveling westbound on Highway 20 when he noticed a vehicle, traveling eastbound, which passed him with its high beam headlights activated, Brooks said.
Brooks said the deputy conducted an enforcement stop on the vehicle in the area of Highway 20 and Bartlett Springs Road.
The deputy contacted Hard, the vehicle's driver, who explained his high beam indicator light is not working properly and is constantly illuminated, Brooks said.
Hard told the deputy that he is unable to determine if his high beams are on or off. At the same time, Central Dispatch conducted a records check of Hard and advised he had two warrants for his arrest from Colusa County, Brooks said.
The deputy had Hard exit the vehicle and when he did, the deputy noticed a black plastic case on the floorboard near the gas pedal. Brooks said the deputy asked what was in the case and Hard replied, “A meth pipe.”
The deputy opened the case and located a glass pipe with a white residue throughout it. Brooks said the deputy also searched the vehicle and located a loaded 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun, another glass meth pipe, a digital gram scale and a small amount of methamphetamine in the center console.
Hard was arrested for the two Colusa County warrants, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, armed while committing a drug offense, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and for being under the influence of a controlled substance, Brooks said.
Brooks said Hard was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. He remained in custody on Wednesday, with bail set at $300,000.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.