CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Following a lengthy foot pursuit and search of a neighborhood, Clearlake Police on Wednesday apprehended a local man with a number of warrants for his arrest who previously had evaded officers in separate incidents.

Joshua Christopher Wertz, 30, was apprehended with the assistance of Clearlake Police K9 “Dex” Wednesday morning, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph.

Joseph said that at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday he and Officer Joseph Myers were on an unrelated call for service in the 16000 block of 34th Avenue when Myers spotted Wertz – who he believed to have a felony warrant for his arrest – walking in the area.

Wertz also was involved in two recent and separate police vehicle pursuits where he had managed to escape both times and, in one incident, even backed into a pursuing Clearlake police patrol car causing damage. In addition, Wertz had two confirmed felony warrants for his arrest related to evading police, Joseph said.

Prior to contact by Myers, Wertz – who was carrying a backpack – went into a nearby residence. Joseph said Myers went to the residence in an attempt to contact Wertz and, when he did so, Wertz fled on foot out the back of the home.

Joseph said the foot chase that ensued for several blocks involved a number of Clearlake Police officers.

Wertz was chased over fences and through backyards to the area of 40th and Irving avenues, where officers lost sight of him, Joseph said.

Joseph said officers were able to establish a perimeter around the area where Wertz was last seen with the help of the Lake County Probation Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Because Wertz had felony warrants for his arrest, has a history of evading capture, was climbing in and through several residential yards and was believed to be concealed, Joseph said officers decided to deploy a K9 in hopes of locating and capturing Wertz.

Officer Travis Lenz and his K9 partner Dex soon arrived and began systematically searching the area within the established perimeter. Joseph said the search took some time due to the fairly large geographical area.

At about 10:40 a.m., K9 Dex located Wertz under an overturned aluminum boat in the 15900 block of 39th Avenue, Joseph said.

Lenz gave Wertz several commands to surrender or the K9 would be deployed. After Wertz’ continued refusal to comply with officers and not knowing if Wertz was armed with a weapon, Lenz deployed Dex, according to Joseph.

Joseph said Dex apprehended Wertz by Wertz’s left forearm. Even with the K9 bite, Wertz still refused to initially comply with officers and officers still struggled with him before finally taking him into custody.

Inside Wertz's backpack – which was located in close proximity – officers located a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, some marijuana and drug paraphernalia which Wertz was additionally charged with, Joseph said.

Wertz was transported to Saint Helena Hospital Clear Lake for medical clearance and, after being treated, Joseph said Wertz was booked into the Lake County Jail.

Contrary to some reports of shots being fired, there was a single backfire from a small motorcycle when this chase first started near 36th Avenue, Joseph said. No shots were fired during this incident.

Wertz remained in custody early Friday, with bail set at $45,000. Booking records show he's due to appear in court on Friday.