Missing gun? High Speed Chase

◼ TS - Chase down McKinleyville's Central Avenue ends in arrest

Date: July 26, 2010 From: Brenda Godsey, PIO
Subject: Vehicle Pursuit Ends with Arrest Case: 201004935
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MCKINLEYVILLE – Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a man late Saturday morning after he led them on a pursuit through McKinleyville. At about 11:00 a.m. Deputies saw Nathan Aaron Ruptak talking on a cellular phone while he was driving on Central Avenue. Deputies attempted to make an enforcement stop of Ruptak he but failed to yield. Ruptak accelerated through a red light at Central Ave. and Sutter Rd. and continued northbound. Ruptak crossed into oncoming lanes several times before running another red light at Heartwood Drive. Deputies estimated the Ruptak was traveling about 70 mph on Central Avenue, where the speed limit it 35 mph. As Ruptak passed City Center Drive, deputies saw him throw an item from his vehicle. Ruptak ran a red light at Pickett Road and deputies noted that three juveniles had to run out of the crosswalk and back on to the curb. At Railroad Drive, Deputies saw Ruptak throw additional items from his vehicle. Ruptak accelerated to about 80 mph as he approached Murray Road and failed to stop at the four-way stop. As Ruptak approached Airport Road he threw additional items from his car. Ruptak eventually pulled over and stopped on Central Ave., near Johnson Lane. Deputies arrested Ruptak with out further incident. Deputies found him to be in possession of .5 grams of cocaine. Deputies located ammunition in Ruptak’s car.

Deputies searched the area that Ruptak had traveled in an effort to recover what he had thrown from the vehicle. A citizen told deputies that there was a gun magazine on the porch of a nearby residence. Deputies found the magazine loaded with the same type of ammunition found inside Ruptak’s car.

Because deputies found ammunition, and because deputies saw Ruptak throwing other items from his car, deputies searched the area for a gun. A gun was not located.

Although deputies do not know if a gun was thrown from Ruptak’s car, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is cautioning citizens against picking up a gun if one is found. Never assume a gun is unloaded. Call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office immediately at (707) 445-7251.
###

◼ High-speed chase suspect evades Eureka police
The Eureka Police Department is continuing the search for a man who allegedly has twice fled from officers and on Friday nearly ran over two of them.

On July 10, EPD officers were pursuing a black Audi through Eureka streets at speeds over 90 mph.

Officers chose to discontinue the pursuit at the time in light of public safety due to the excessive speeds, according to an EPD press release.... (the second time) (Bradlee) Sanders allegedly sped southbound on Broadway at speeds of over 100 mph, and officers were unable to keep up due to the excessive and unsafe speed.

Officers are attempting to locate Sanders and have issued a countywide alert on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, driving on a suspended license, and a probation violation. Anyone with information on the subject should call EPD at 441-4044.