FORT BRAGG – Christopher Brockway is a 25-year-old Fort Bragg resident who has had his share of troubles in the past with law enforcement. In 2012, while he was already on parole, he had moved to the area, residing in a home in Little River, south of Fort Bragg near Mendocino. His mother was the caretaker of a 104-year-old man, William Westfall, who lived nearby. Sheriff’s deputies were called to investigate fraudulent use of the man’s credit card, which Brockway’s mother was responsible for. She reported that she suspected Christopher was the one using the card, and that he had taken it while she was sleeping.
Investigation proved that he had charged thousands of dollars worth of merchandise at several stores. He was arrested on January 24, 2012 and charged with burglary, fraudulent use of a credit card, giving false information, and caretaker theft.
When turning from Highway 20 to Highway 1, Brockway cut far left into the opposite lanes.
Records show he was picked up on Sunday, June 22 of this year on a probation revocation, and is currently on post release community supervision, which means he must submit to a search by law enforcement at any time, whether there is probable cause for arrest or not.
According to a Sheriff’s press release, deputies recognized him as he was driving along Babcock Lane near Highway 20 at 7:45 Tuesday evening. Knowing he was a suspect in a recent burglary, they began to follow, but he apparently saw them as well, and accelerated, running the stop sign at the highway, and turned right (westbound), into the path of another vehicle. A collision was narrowly avoided as the other car swerved, and Brockway headed on, reaching over 70 mph.
The Roundabout at Highway 1 & Simpson. Brockway veered far left rather than follow the circular pathway.
Deputies activated their lights and siren as they pursued him. He turned left onto southbound Highway 1, but by crossing into the wrong-way lane, intended for cars traveling onto eastbound Highway 20.
Continuing south on Highway 1 at high speed, he hit the Simpson Lane intersection, which is a roundabout. He turned left onto eastbound Simpson, but rather than circle the whole roundabout, he took the shortcut into the wrong-way lane, and nearly collided with another car who was entering Simpson through the correct lane.
He continued down the narrow 2 lane road through rural Fort Bragg at 70 mph or more, until he lost control and spun out. Deputies took him into custody without further incident. He was found to have a meth pipe with him, and CHP officers were called to help investigate a DUI for alcohol or drugs.
Brockway was arrested and booked at the Mendocino County Jail on charges of evading a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, being under the influence of a controlled substance and driving under the influence, and parole violations.
