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PETALUMA // On September 27th just before 11PM, a deputy tried to stop 44-year-old Joseph Shopes for a mechanical infraction as he left the Graton Casino.
Shopes, who was on a motorycle, hit the gas and led deputies on a 2-mile pursuit eastbound on Gulf Course Drive all the way to Hillview. Shopes eventually lost control of the motorcycle, hit a raised curb, and crashed.
From there, Shopes tried to run westbound on Gladstone. A deputy gave chase and Shopes gave up shortly thereafter, falling to his stomach and allowing himself to be taken into custody.
A background check revealed that Shopes already had a warrant to his name out of Santa Clara County for driving on a suspended license. In addition, he was already on probation.
Shopes was ultimately arrested for felony evasion of a police officer, driving on a suspended license, and violation of probation — all in addition to his outstanding warrant. He is housed at the Sonoma County Jail on $31,000 bond.
