Lafayette police searched the creek bed behind the Lafayette Community Park Wednesday after a man they attempted to contact reportedly ran from them, escaping into the scrub and brushlands behind the park.
Police are searching for a white male, 5′ 8″ tall, 160 pounds last seen wearing a white or grey checked shirt, grey pants and white shoes.
The incident, which started at around 9:40 a.m., kicked off after officers attempted to contact the occupants of a suspicious looking car seen in the parking lot of the Lafayette Community Park in the 400 block of St. Mary’s Road.
Lafayette police said an officer contacted a man and woman inside the car, arresting 23-year-old Brittany Gilbert of Antioch when a warrant check revealed a no-bail warrant for her arrest. Gilbert is being held without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility.
Officers said that while attempting to search the male occupant of the car he allegedly pushed away from an officer and ran off, sparking a sizable search effort. Police said that during a search of the couple’s car they found items they suspected may have been stolen in a recent local burglary.
A helicopter from the California Highway Patrol aided searchers – including a canine team brought in from El Cerrito – as police closed in the man and briefly flushed him.
Officers followed the canine team into the steep hillsides behind Driftwood Drive after the helicopter reportedly observed the man on the ridgeline there. A search of the area failed to locate him and Police Chief Eric Christensen said it appeared the man, who is reportedly known by police, escaped their cordon.
Guy must run like a deer to outrun a chopper!!
Another lowlife from the city of Antioch. What a surprise. Hope the cops catch the other guy.
Well, I hope the Sherriff is also involved. Lafayette cops arent the brightest.