CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man who led police on a 27-mile pursuit in a stolen vehicle on Thursday night was taken into custody after crashing into a tree.

Mario Tito Mirabella, 24, was arrested shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday, according to the Clearlake Police Department.

Lt. Tim Celli said that on Wednesday Kelseyville resident Charles Sells reported to the California Highway Patrol that his 1999 Acura had been stolen from the town.

At about 9 p.m. Thursday, the Clearlake Police Department was alerted by Sells that he saw his stolen vehicle in the city of Clearlake and began to follow it, losing sight of the vehicle in the area of Boyles and 25th avenues, Celli said.

Celli said officers responded to the area and began to search for the vehicle, however they were unable to find it at that time.

Then, at approximately 10:19 p.m., Clearlake Police Officer Elvis Cook spotted the vehicle in the area of Lakeshore Drive near Old Highway 53, Celli said.

Cook ran the license plate through dispatch and discovered the vehicle he was behind was the reported stolen vehicle. Celli said Cook then attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the driver didn't stop, but instead led Cook on a high-speed pursuit.

Celli said other officers joined the pursuit and coordinated with the Lake County Sheriff Office for assistance.

Clearlake Police officers and Lake County Sheriff’s deputies who joined in the chase pursued the stolen vehicle for more than 27 miles from the city of Clearlake to Lower Lake, to Clearlake Oaks and finally back to the city of Clearlake, Celli said.

Speeds during the chase were sometimes in excess of 100 miles per hour, with Mirabella driving the Acura into the opposing lane of traffic several times during the chase, according to Celli.

Celli said officers attempted to coordinate and deploy a spike strip, but were unsuccessful due to the high speeds and erratic driving by the suspect.

Mirabella led officers back into the city of Clearlake and onto surface streets. At one point while traveling on Old Highway 53, Mirabella was driving at an estimated speed of approximately 90 miles per hour before entering the “Village” residential area, Celli said.

The stolen vehicle continued to travel through the residential area of the “Village” and “Highlands Harbor,” with Celli explaining that the pursuit finally ending when Mirabella lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree near Old Highway 53 at Airport Road as he was attempting to make a turn onto Airport Road.

Celli said officers used high-risk car stop techniques to detain two subjects in the vehicle, including Mirabella, the driver, who was found to be in possession of methamphetamine after he was taken into custody.

The passenger was identified and later released without charges after the investigation determined he didn’t commit any provable crime, Celli said.

Mirabella was arrested for several felony charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading, evading while going the wrong direction and possession of a controlled substance, according to Celli.

Celli said Mirabella was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake for precautionary reasons.

While at the hospital, Mirabella attempted to escape from the officer by trying to flee out the doors. Celli said the escape attempt was unsuccessful and Mirabella was recaptured.

Mirabella was cleared at the hospital for incarceration and booked into the Lake County Jail with an additional charge of attempting to escape, Celli said.

As of Friday afternoon, Mirabella – whose booking sheet lists him as a parts driver for an auto parts store – remained in custody, with bail set at $35,000, according to jail records. He is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Celli said the police department was very thankful that the pursuit ended without anyone being hurt. 
 
The Clearlake Police Department thanked the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance in the incident.