CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested after he allegedly hit a Clearlake Police officer with his dirt bike Thursday morning.
Joseph Maggio, 21, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, felony resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance, according to Sgt. Dominic Ramirez.
Ramirez said the officer involved, Travis Lenz, was uninjured in the incident, which happened just before 9 a.m. Thursday.
Lenz was conducting an unrelated investigation at Galaxy Resort on Old Highway 53 when Maggio approached him, riding an off-road dirt bike on the resort’s private driveway, Ramirez said.
Ramirez said Lenz, who had been standing near his patrol vehicle in the driveway, started to approach Maggio, who slowed down as he approached Lenz’s location.
When Maggio was within several feet of Lenz, Ramirez said Maggio accelerated the dirt bike toward Lenz, hitting his right leg.
Ramirez said Lenz was able to grab onto Maggio, removing him from the dirt bike and taking him into custody. Maggio was not injured in the process of being pulled from the dirt bike.
Maggio claimed he had inadvertently struck Officer Lenz with the dirt bike while trying to flee, Ramirez added.
When Lenz searched Maggio, he found him to be in possession of methamphetamine, Ramirez said.
Maggio was booked into the Lake County Jail, where Ramirez said he is being held on $15,000 bail.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Officer Lenz at the Clearlake Police Department, 707-994-8251.