CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Following a chase early Sunday, the Clearlake Police Department arrested on drug and weapons charges a Lucerne man who was arrested twice earlier this fall in other drug-related cases.

Stephen Michael Poppe, 26, was arrested for a long list of drugs and weapons charges following a traffic stop early Sunday morning, according to a report from Sgt. Rodd Joseph.

At 12:01 a.m. Sunday Clearlake Police Officer Carl Miller was patrolling the area of Old Highway 53 and Ballpark Avenue when he saw a black Honda Civic make an illegal U-turn and fail to stop at the intersection's stop sign, Joseph said.

Miller tried to stop the vehicle but it fled north on Old Highway 53. Joseph said the vehicle reached “dangerous speeds” during the nearly one-mile-long chase before sliding off the roadway and crashing into a fence and tree in the 3300 block of Old Highway 53.

The driver, who Joseph said was later identified as Poppe, climbed from the damaged Honda and fled on foot.

Miller pursued Poppe for about 200 yards onto the property of a neighboring business. Joseph said Poppe turned and ran back toward Miller, who fired his Taser at Poppe. Following the use of the Taser, Poppe was taken into custody without further incident.

On Poppe's person Miller found what Joseph called “a significant amount” of suspected methamphetamine, along with money and drug paraphernalia. In the vehicle a loaded handgun was found.

Joseph said Poppe was charged with numerous counts, among them felonies that included evading an officer, committing a felony while in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded concealed weapon in a vehicle, felon in possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded weapon with the intent to commit a felony.

Misdemeanor charges included carrying a loaded firearm in public, resisting arrest, hit and run with property damage and driving under the influence of a controlled substance, Joseph said.

Before Poppe was booked into the Lake County Jail, he was treated at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for minor injuries, according to Joseph. There were no other injuries in the incident.

Joseph said a bail increase was requested and Poppe's bail was set at $150,000.

On Oct. 20 the Lake County Sheriff's Narcotics Task Force arrested Poppe following a traffic stop in Clearlake Oaks during which he was found in possession of methamphetamine, narcotics paraphernalia and cash, as Lake County News has reported.

A few weeks later, on Nov. 5, the Narcotics Task Force arrested Poppe again following the service of a search warrant at a Lucerne home where methamphetamine marijuana and paraphernalia were found. He was arrested on felony charges of possessing controlled substances and marijuana for sale, and misdemeanor possession of narcotics paraphernalia, officials reported.

Poppe remained in the Lake County Jail Sunday night for the Clearlake arrest.

Joseph also reminded all drivers to immediately pull to the right side of the roadway edge when emergency vehicles displaying emergency lights and/or sirens are approaching.

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