Date of Incident: 09/11/2020 Time of Incident: 6:31 PM
On Friday, September 11, 2020 at approximately 6:31PM, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a request for assistance from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, who reported a reckless driver they were attempting to apprehend was traveling west bound on Highway 36 toward Plumas County.
The vehicle was described as a green Chevrolet pick-up with a black camper- shell. A PCSO Deputy spotted the vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 36 near the Plumas Lassen County Line. As the Deputy turned his patrol vehicle around the pick-up truck quickly accelerated away from the Deputy. The Deputy activated his emergency lights and siren and pursued the vehicle. During the approximate20 mile pursuit the suspect vehicle was paced at several speeds varying from 50 MPH to 90 MPH and committed a multitude of traffic violations. The pursuit ended about one mile into Tehama County after a CHP Officer successfully deployed spike strips and disabled the suspect vehicles two front tires. After about 15 minutes of attempting to negotiate the driver out of the vehicle a non-lethal bean-bag projectile was used to break out the passenger side window of the truck for further negotiation and preparation to deploy a K9 from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. After breaking out the window, the driver and sole occupant exited the pick-up. He was safely taken into custody without further issues.
The driver was identified as 49 year-old Donald Cota of Oroville, CA. Cota was transported to the Plumas County Correctional Facility where was booked for the following charges: 2800.2 of the California vehicle Code – Felony evading, 148(a)(1) of the Penal Code – Offense against public justice (Obstruction), and 11364 of the Health and Safety Code – Possession of drug paraphernalia.
We would like to thank the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and Susanville Police Department for their assistance.
