CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake Oaks man was arrested Sunday night after he attempted to evade a California Highway Patrol officer and later was found with drugs, paraphernalia and a large amount of cash.

Anthony Joseph Padilla Jr., 31, was arrested following a short pursuit, according to CHP Officer Kory Reynolds.

Reynolds said CHP Officer Matt Norton was working a traffic control detail with Caltrans as they paved a portion of Highway 53 south of 18th Avenue near Clearlake Sunday night.

At approximately 9:25 p.m. Norton observed a vehicle strike a traffic cone and enter the closed lane of southbound Highway 53, Reynolds said. The vehicle then swerved back into the open lane, striking two more traffic cones.

Norton attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle, which accelerated away from him onto Old Highway 53. Reynolds said Norton observed the driver throw a plastic baggie from the vehicle.  

The vehicle made a left turn and then yielded on Highlands Harbor Drive, Reynolds said.

Norton contacted the driver, identified as Padilla, and arrested him for failing to yield to his activated lights and siren, according to Reynolds.

Reynolds said that during a search Norton located $5,943 in cash on Padilla.

Norton and CHP Officer Adam Garcia returned to the area where Norton saw Padilla throw the baggie from the vehicle and they located the baggie, which contained nearly an once of methamphetamine, Reynolds said.

Padilla was booked into the Lake County Jail for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, transporting a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license, evading arrest and a probation hold, according to Reynolds.

Padilla’s bail was set at $35,000. Jail records indicated that he remained in custody on Monday.