Pursuit ends with arrest, damages
by Lenny Roberts

A Sheriff's Ford Crown Victoria cruiser was damaged Monday night as a short but high-speed pursuit ended in the 10400 block of Santa Ana Road in Oak View. Neither the deputies involved or the suspect, 33-year-old Lance Anderson, of Ojai, were reportedly injured.
The chase began at about 7:30 p.m. when Deputies Chad Bourget and Doug Klug spotted Anderson's vehicle as it turned onto Mahoney Street from Highway 33 in Oak View. Bourget, according to Ojai substation Sergeant Ken Edling, recognized Anderson from prior encounters and knew that he had multiple outstanding warrants.
Anderson then allegedly tried to flee, turning onto Olive Street and onto Santa Ana Boulevard where speeds in the lightly populated area reached 65 to 70 mph, according to radio transmissions.
"He blew two stop signs on Santa Ana Boulevard, and pulled into a driveway on Santa Ana Road, but lost control and sideswiped a palm tree," Edling said.
The report indicates that Anderson regained control of his car, but lost it again once out of the double-ended driveway as he center-punched an oak tree.
Anderson then attempted to run, but was stopped by Bourget, who cut him off with his patrol car, according to Edling. Anderson surrendered peacefully and went voluntarily face-down where he was arrested. He later complained of neck pain, and was arrested on four warrants for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance, vandalism and possession of a switchblade knife, along with misdemeanor evading.
Klug's patrol car was taken out of service after he sideswiped an oak tree and a wooden fence after leaving the Santa Ana Road driveway in pursuit of Anderson.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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