Douglas County Sheriff's Office deputies arrest suspected armed robbery suspect after high-speed chase
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/16/2024 - 3:05pm
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – A high-speed chase on US395 after an armed robbery in Lancaster, Calif. led to the arrest of a 27-year-old Fresno resident in Douglas County.
On Friday, August 16, 2024, at approximately 12:36 a.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) was asked by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to be on the lookout for a black Mercedes GLC SUV believed to be traveling north on U.S. 395. CHP advised DCSO that the vehicle and its occupant(s) were suspect(s) in an armed robbery in Lancaster on Thursday. DCSO was advised the occupant(s) should be considered armed and dangerous.
CHP located the vehicle in Walker Canyon, Calif.
CHP and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit of the car began reaching speeds over 100 mph, which continued into Douglas County after crossing the Nevada state line at Topaz Lake.
DCSO deputies deployed spike strips on U.S. 395 near Pine Valley Road and successfully spiked all four tires. The vehicle continued on Hwy 395, failing to yield. DCSO deputies then deployed the Grappler Police Bumper System and stopped the vehicle on U.S. 395 near the entrance to the fish hatchery.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Joseph Baird, refused to exit the vehicle. After approximately 20 minutes of negotiation, he agreed to exit. Baird was arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail. His charges include eluding, reckless driving, resisting/obstructing a police officer, speeding, passing on a double yellow, driving left of center, driving with a revoked driver’s license, littering, and habitual criminal. His bail is set at $105,770.
DCSO Investigators are working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office to assist in their investigation regarding the armed robbery.
“I am very proud of my deputies for stopping Baird before he got into town,” said Sheriff Dan Coverley. “The use of the Grappler is a game changer for us to keep the community safe. This tool gives us the ability to stop a vehicle safely when they try to run from us.”