Eureka Police Department Press Release:

On 07/22/14 at approximately 5:24 p.m., Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Detectives were conducting an investigation on a “Problem House” in the 800 block of “O” Street. A detective observed a 1993 blue Dodge van park approximately a half block from the “Problem House.” When detectives attempted to contact the driver of the vehicle, the driver fled in the vehicle in an aggressive manner.

A nearby officer observed the driver commit a traffic violation and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver briefly yielded but then fled and a pursuit ensued with speeds reported to be approximately 35-55 mph. As the pursuit approached the Henderson Center area an officer attempted to deploy spike strips but the driver was able to avoid them.

Officers discontinued the pursuit when the suspect drove the wrong way on “H” Street between 10th and 7th Streets. Officers spotted the vehicle traveling southbound on Myrtle Avenue but eventually lost the vehicle near the Myrtle Avenue Market. The vehicle was later located and towed near Myrtle and Pennsylvania streets.

The driver has been positively identified as John Wayne Ellis, 34 of Eureka. Ellis has two outstanding felony warrants for his arrest for possession of a stolen vehicle, misdemeanor warrants for eluding in a vehicle, resisting arrest, and possession of a controlled substance. Ellis now has an arrest warrant issued by the Eureka Police Department for felony evading and driving on a suspended license from this incident. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Ellis contact the Eureka Police Department at (707)441-4060.