SMITH RIVER, Calif. — About a dozen law enforcement officers from several agencies are in Smith River searching for a fugitive who allegedly shot at officers after a high speed chase and crash in Crescent City.
According to investigators, the chase started Monday night when police attempted to pull over a car because the driver ran a red light. As officers determined the car was stolen, police said, it took off heading north on Highway 101. During the chase, officers said, someone in the stolen car opened fire but did not hit any member of law enforcement. The car eventually crashed, and two men got out and ran into the nearby forest. One person was caught but the other got away, police said.
According to the Del Norte Sheriff’s Department, on Tuesday morning investigators received credible information that the missing suspect was hiding in Smith River. At one point, a local elementary school was put on lockdown because the suspect was believed to be in the area.
About a dozen men from the Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol are now in the town searching, with another 10 or so from Pelican Bay expected to join the search.
