Four police pursuits in Atascadero

July 14, 2014

In just eight days, Atascadero police officers were involved in an unprecedented number of vehicle pursuits in the city of Atascadero.

Officers were involved in four vehicle pursuits in Atascadero in July. The first, on July 6, started when a motorist failed to yield to a traffic stop. Police chased the suspect to Creston where the suspect crashed his vehicle into a tree and fled the scene and evaded capture. The investigation is ongoing.

On July 10, officers stopped Mark James Calvin, 30, of Paso Robles, and requested Calvin turn off his vehicle. Calvin sped off and led officers on a short pursuit during which he committed five traffic violations.

During their investigation, officers discovered narcotics related items, cash, and approximately 4.1oz of methamphetamine. The officers booked Calvin into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on charges of possession and transportation of narcotics for sales, evading a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Two days later, on July 12, Duncan Woodard, 25, of Atascadero, attempted to evade officers on his motorcycle but eventually yielded after a short pursuit. Officers booked Woodard into jail on charges of evading a peace officer and a probation violation.

On July 13, officers arrested Eric Lamar Farrior, 53, of Paso Robles following a high-speed pursuit which began at Highway 41 and El Camino Real. Officer arrested Farrior and booked him into jail on charges of reckless evading, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on a suspended license, resisting and/or delaying an officer, and possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

Atascadero Police Department officials said they are releasing this information because these incidents are inherently dangerous.

“We want to make citizens aware of these types of incidents so they can be safe on our roadways,” according to a press release.