LoCO is still gathering details about the high-speed pursuit of a pantsless man suspected of stealing a black pickup truck in Arcata. The chase ended with officers from multiple law enforcement agencies descending on Old Town Eureka, where the fleeing suspect was Tased and apprehended.

On our way to get coffee, LoCO stumbled onto the scene of the arrest on Second Street and spoke with California Highway Patrol officer Craig Barnes. It seems the truck was reported stolen from Arcata this morning, but luckily was pretty easy to locate thanks to its OnStar security system.

A CHP officer spotted the truck and attempted a traffic stop in McKinleyville. The suspect did not stop and ran multiple stop lights on Central Avenue. Due to safety concerns, the officer ended the pursuit.

Later, law enforcement spotted the vehicle again in Arcata, but broke chase after similar speed concerns.

The suspect made his way to Eureka. It’s not clear why he stopped, but Barnes speculated that the OnStar system may have shut off the truck’s motor. At this point, the suspect is said to have exited the vehicle and attempted to flee. A Taser was deployed to subdue him and he was taken into custody in his boxer briefs.

LoCO will update this post when we know more.

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UPDATE, 11:40 a.m.: The Arcata Police Department has issued the following press release relating to this morning’s incident:

On 2/05/2015 at about 7:55 am, Officers from the Arcata Police Department were dispatched to the Mad River Rapids RV Park (3501 Janes Rd) on the report a vehicle theft had just occurred.

Upon the officers’ arrival they learned an unknown adult male, dressed in underwear and a t-shirt, had jumped into the open door of the victim’s running vehicle. An altercation ensued between the suspect and the victim for control of the vehicle.  The suspect was able to take control of the vehicle and while attempting to flee the scene, struck a light pole on the property.

The vehicle was equipped with On-Star and its location was relayed to law enforcement.  The vehicle was located a short time later in McKinleyville where CHP, HCSO and APD units initiated a pursuit.  The pursuit was terminated a short time later due to the suspect’s erratic driving and concern for citizen safety.

The vehicle was again located on Samoa Blvd in Arcata and APD officers initiated another pursuit of the vehicle as it fled southbound on Highway 101.  The pursuit was again terminated by officers due to the suspect’s high speeds and congested traffic.

Officers from the Eureka Police Department located the vehicle on 2nd Street in Eureka and took the suspect into custody after a brief struggle.  The owner of the vehicle was transported to the scene and identified the male suspect as the person who had forcibly taken his vehicle.

The suspect, identified as Santa Cruz resident Kelley Allen Piper (age 46), was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for PC 215 - Car Jacking, CVC 2800.1 - Evading and CVC 20002(a) - Hit and Run.  The Eureka Police Department and the California Highway Patrol are also pursuing additional charges against Piper.

The Arcata Police Department would like to thank the California Highway Patrol, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Eureka Police Department for their assistance in recovering the vehicle.

PREVIOUS EUREKA PANTSLESSNESS: Two Eureka Police Officers Injured During Skirmish with Pants-less DUI Suspect At Dutch Bros.