#ICYMI: A roundup of notable incidents involving the California Highway Patrol (CHP) this past week, including a high-speed pursuit by land and sea, the arrest of a suspect in an East Bay freeway shooting, a Bay Area traffic enforcement effort yielding big results, aggressive drivers being put on notice, and an impressive showing for the CHP at an annual competition in the desert.
The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each announcement. Click on the headlines to access accompanying assets that are available for download.
A woman was arrested after she led CHP officers on a wild pursuit that came crashing to a halt in the Pacific Ocean. On March 17, CHP officers attempted to pull over a speeding vehicle. Instead of coming to a stop, the driver headed for Venice Beach. Bypassing the beach parking lot, the suspect drove onto the sand and into the surf where the vehicle became stuck in the whitewash, and she attempted to swim away. Eventually, deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department fished the fleeing suspect out of the ocean and lifeguards from the Los Angeles Fire Department rescued the two small dogs from the submerged vehicle.
The CHP arrested a suspect in a road rage shooting thanks to dashboard camera footage and an impressive investigate effort. The March 27 shooting occurred on Interstate 880 in Union City (Alameda County) during a road rage incident involving two vehicles, when the one of the drivers shot out the window of the other vehicle. Fortunately, the victim sustained only minor injuries and his dash cam captured the entire incident – including the suspect vehicle. Due to the great investigative work by CHP Hayward and Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit, the suspect was identified, located, and arrested within 24 hours of the crime. He was booked into the Santa Rita Jail on charges of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and shooting into an inhabited vehicle.
On March 21, four Bay Area CHP offices teamed up to work a 24-hour joint Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP). CHP personnel assigned
to CHP - Marin, CHP - San Francisco, CHP - Redwood City, and CHP-Hayward were responsible for the increased enforcement in their respective areas, but the MEP also had a traveling contingent that focused enforcement efforts on Bay Area bridges. Enforcement efforts focused on driving behaviors that contribute to crashes, often leading to injuries and deaths, such as speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes and not wearing seat belts. In total, CHP officers issued 605 citations, gave 57 verbal warnings, removed 19 vehicles from the roadway, and arrested 18 people, 11 of whom were for impaired driving.
Be advised, CHP officers throughout California are focused on increasing patrols to identify and apprehend aggressive drivers. Here is your proof: On March 28, dash cam footage from a motorist in the Bay Area caught a Redwood Area CHP officer in action after another motorist dipped in and out of traffic lanes at a high rate of speed.
The CHP’s Elite Running Team sprinted to a second-place finish at the 2024 Challenge Cup Relay – Baker to Vegas Race. The world’s most prestigious and unique law enforcement foot race is held annually and involves law enforcement from all over the world. The 120-mile trek begins in Baker, Calif., and ends in Las Vegas and includes 20 challenging legs as the teams endure hot days, cold nights, and even extreme winds. The CHP Elite Running Team secured the second-place spot, surpassing more than 10,000 runners.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service and Security.
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