Fortuna Police Tasers the Force
Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel
Yesterday at 3:40 in the afternoon, a Fortuna Police Officer was driving south on US 101 near the Hookton Road exit when he observed a new Dodge Durango driving erratically south on US 101.
The officer fell in behind the vehicle and paced the vehicle at speeds above 80 MPH. The officer activated the patrol unit emergency lights and the driver failed to yield.
Not to be outdone, the driver sped up to speeds over 100 MPH. At this time the FPD was advised that the vehicle had just been stolen from the Lithia car lot in Eureka.
The pursuit by officer and thieving scoundrel continued south on US 101 where additional Fortuna police units joined the chase. Even two Rio Dell police units joined in the pursuit as the vehicle passed Rio Dell. Now, that’s backup when you need it.
As the suspect vehicle passed Shively Road, the driver slowed and attempted a U-turn on the freeway. That turned out to be a very bad choice.
As the suspect driver made his erratic turn he collided into a Fortuna Police patrol car, causing damage to the patrol car’s front bumper, headlight, and right front quarter panel. Oops– sorry about that, guys.
The driver didn’t stop, though. Oh, no. He turned onto Shively Road at a high rate of speed and was destined for glory. Or something really bad to happen next. It’s a bit of a roulette game with all the chips stacked against you. It’s just not likely to turn out well.
The driver attempted to negotiate a hard right corner and lost control of the vehicle due to his high rate of jammin’ speed. The vehicle collided into both a ditch and down a steep embankment, causing total damage to the vehicle. But it wasn’t over yet.
The suspect was able to get out of the vehicle and run up the steep embankment. Several officers gave foot chase. The subject was ordered to stop, but he continued to run. Yet another bad choice.
An officer discharged his Taser at the suspect, identified as Paul Force, age 39 of Redway. The crispy zapping voltage of the Taser stopped Force in his tracks. He rolled down the embankment after his nerves, legs, and synapses gave out like jello. Tasers will do that to you. Parts just don’t work while you convulse.
While you might believe this would come to an end, well, it didn’t.
Force attempted to flee. And he was Tasered again. A 2nd officer discharged his Taser at Force, which caused Force to fall– again. He was ultimately taken into custody.
Force was taken to Redwood Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and then booked into the County Jail for:
- Auto Theft
- Felony Pursuit and
- Resisting Arrest
A Fortuna Police Officer sustained a minor injury to his leg during the foot pursuit of Force, the FPD release said.
But you should’ve seen the other guy: car crash, a tuck and roll down a steep cliff, running up said cliff, tasered twice, falling down twice, and then subdued and cuffed. Whew. That makes for a big and lousy day. Should’ve stayed in bed.
(Posted by Skippy Massey)
