Sonoma County Deputies Nab Federal Fugitive -- in Lake County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- Sonoma County deputies recently went above and beyond their jurisdiction -- literally -- to nab a felony suspect.

On Jan. 19, Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Investigations Unit, along with the Sonoma County Multi Agency Gang Enforcement Team, traveled to the city of Clear Lake in Lake County -- located about two hours north of Sonoma County -- in an attempt to locate a wanted person.

Detectives say they received information that a wanted federal fugitive, John Antone Beckwith, 32, of Santa Rosa, had been seen in the Clear Lake area. Beckwith has prior history of evading law enforcement in a vehicle and carrying loaded firearms in Sonoma County.

At about 5:15 pm on Jan. 19, detectives observed Beckwith, seated in a vehicle, near the dead end of Saint Stephens Avenue, a single lane road, in Middletown. Knowing that Beckwith has previously been arrested for evading law enforcement, detectives determined that apprehending him at this location would minimize the possibility of a vehicle pursuit, which could put the public in danger.

As patrol vehicles approached Beckwith’s vehicle, police say Beckwith immediately rammed the vehicle into one of the patrol cars and continued accelerating his vehicle through a fence into the yard of a private residence. He continued attempting to evade law enforcement, driving through several more fences of private residences until he emerged on Napa Avenue, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Once on Napa Avenue, Beckwith accelerated his vehicle, ramming it into the front of an unmarked detective vehicle. After ramming the detective vehicle, Beckwith again attempted to flee the area, but was blocked in by several patrol vehicles.

After a short struggle, Beckwith was taken into custody, as seen in the above photo. He was booked into the Lake County Jail for felony assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, felony evading arrest, misdemeanor hit and run, misdemeanor resisting arrest and his federal no bail warrant.

Image via Sonoma County Sheriff's Office