September 8, 2020 – Ventura County, Ca.
The influences of 1970s-era TV cop shows upon the culture apparently wane slowly, as evidenced by the September 4th arrest of 33-year-old Simi Valley resident James Carlton.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. William Hutton, it was approximately 7:40 in the morning of the 4th when a deputy on routine patrol spotted Hutton behind the wheel of a car driving along Simi Valley’s Katherine Road. The deputy recognized Carlton as an individual who had outstanding arrest warrants pending.
At that point, the deputy “attempted to conduct a traffic stop.” Obviously not interested in having any contact with law enforcement, Carlton put the pedal to the metal and a “high-speed pursuit” quickly developed, with the deputy on Carlton’s tail through residential streets.
Carlton finally came to a stop and alighted from his vehicle in front of his own residence, whereupon he “retreated inside, creating a barricade situation.” The pursuing deputy then summoned “specialized” units to the scene, and in short order personnel representing VCSD SWAT, the Tactical Negotiations Unit, the Sheriff’s K9 Team, and an “unmanned aerial systems unit” arrived at Carlton’s residence.
With a secure perimeter established, negotiations and verbal contact with Hutton ensued…all to no avail. Hours passed, and the cops reached the end of their patience with Carlton as “entry was made into the residence” and he was promptly taken into custody. He was then transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on charges of evading deputies, delaying an investigation, and on his outstanding arrest warrants, with his bail set at $310,000.
