A local transient has been arrested by Grass Valley police, after leading an officer on a vehicle and foot pursuit over the weekend. Police Sergeant Clint Bates says 30-year-old Stephen Woodward was first reported to be driving a pickup on Bennett Street, Saturday night, in a manner that showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs…

click to listen to Sgt Clint Bates

Bates says Woodward was soon after spotted by the officer on North Church Street, at which point the officer used his lights and sirens. But Woodward sped off and drove around several vehicles in the oncoming lanes. The officer then briefly lost sight of Woodward on Richardson Street…

click to listen to Sgt Clint Bates

At that point, Bates says Woodward fled on foot and jumped over a retaining wall. The officer chased him through a parking lot and into Wolf Creek. He found Woodward in some bushes along the creek’s embankment, where the arrest was made. In addition to the main charges, Woodward was also arrested for driving on a suspended license and violating probation. There was also a local warrant out for his arrest, with no information on what the warrant was for.