Police chase leads to the arrest of two men
They say you can run, but you can’t hide. Two men who led officers from three law enforcement agencies on a chase through Susanville and down Highway 395 personally learned that lesson early this morning.
According to a statement from the SPD, Daniel James McNeill, 28, from Fernley, Nevada, and True Mason Hanley, 24, no residence reported, were charged with failing to yield as a felony, obstruction of a peace officer and a felony count of causing fire to forest lands.
Here’s what happened. A Susanville police officer attempted a vehicle stop on a Lincoln Continental with Nevada plates for an equipment violation about 3:26 a.m. this morning near First and Ash streets. The vehicle did not yield, and a vehicle pursuit began. The pursuit lasted only a few minutes in Susanville city limits before leaving town headed east on Highway 395.
Two SPD units continued the pursuit until units from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office were able to assist near Sunnyside Road and Highway 395, allowing one of the SPD units to return to Susanville.
The California Highway Patrol was advised of the pursuit and attempted to place a spike strip in front of the suspect vehicle near Janesville, but the vehicle did not appear to have been affected by the spike strip.
The Lincoln eventually turned off Highway 395 onto Lupine Lane near Milford, coming to rest against a tree, where the driver and passenger both fled. After a perimeter had been set up, McNeill and Hanley were located and arrested after a brief (less than 10 minute) search.
Hanley refused to answer any questions and was booked into the Lassen County Jail as John Doe until he was identified by his fingerprints. During the search for the suspects, their vehicle appeared to have caught the vegetation and a large tree on fire, completely destroying the suspects’ vehicle.
McNeill also had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for injury/tampering with a motor vehicle from Lyon County Nevada.
The SPD thanks the LCSO, CHP and all the fire departments who responded quickly to control the fire.
The case had been referred to the Lassen County DA for review.