CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested earlier this week after leading police on a high speed vehicle pursuit.

Brody Pirtle, 61, was taken into custody following the chase, which began shortly after 11:30 p.m. Monday, according to a report from Clearlake Police Sgt. Martin Snyder.

Snyder said Det. Lenz and Officer Franklin were conducting an unrelated call for service in the McDonald’s parking lot when Lenz observed a male adult seated in a parked 2002 Ford Escape.

Lenz identified the male as Pirtle, who he discovered was a parolee at large with an active warrant for his arrest, Snyder said.

Lenz contacted Pirtle at the driver side window of the vehicle, and Snyder said Lenz and Franklin ordered Pirtle to exit the vehicle.  

Pirtle failed to follow the officers’ commands and started the vehicle. Snyder said Lenz attempted to stop Pirtle from placing the vehicle into gear and a brief struggle occurred through the window.

Snyder said Pirtle was able to get the vehicle into gear and fled the scene through the McDonald’s parking lot. Lenz and Franklin returned to their patrol vehicle and pursued Pirtle through the city.

Pirtle evaded officers for approximately two miles, reaching speeds of 65 miles per hour on residential streets, Snyder said.

The vehicle pursuit ended when Pirtle’s vehicle reached the end of a dead end street. Snyder said Pirtle fled the vehicle on foot and was later apprehended and placed under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, felony evading in a vehicle, resisting arrest and a parole violation.

Due to injuries sustained during the apprehension and prior medical injuries, Pirtle was cited and released to medical staff for treatment, Snyder said.

The investigation was forwarded to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for filing, according to Snyder.

Anyone with information regarding this case can contact Det. Lenz at the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251.