Man Who Evaded Police in Prior Vehicle Pursuit Arrested on Several Charges
NEVADA CITY, CA — “On the evening of Jan. 8, 2025, a deputy on routine patrol attempted to conduct a traffic stop after observing a driver run through two stop signs in Nevada City. Instead of yielding, the driver fled the scene and a pursuit was initiated up Coyote Street to North Bloomfield, at which point the driver parked at a private residence and fled on foot.
A perimeter was quickly set up and deputies as well as K9 Odin conducted an extensive search of the area, with added support from Nevada City Police Department and aerial assistance from Placer County Sheriff’s helicopter.
While the suspect was not located that evening, the case was far from closed. The vehicle associated with the pursuit came back registered to a Brody James Smith, 43, of Downieville. A search of the vehicle also revealed illegal firearms, ammunition and drug paraphernalia as well as personal paperwork and property identified as Smith’s. Through the course of the investigation, deputies positively identified the suspect involved in the pursuit as Smith and have kept an eye out for Smith ever since, intermittently checking affiliate addresses and areas he was known to frequent.
In a stroke of good luck, the original deputy who pursued Smith was dispatched to a private residence in the 14000 block of Rough & Ready Highway for a routine call for service on Feb. 21. Inside said residence was none other than Smith, who the deputy quickly recognized. The deputy immediately arrested Smith for the Jan. 8 incident and completed the original call for service request, which was unrelated to him.
Smith was booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on the following charges stemming from the Jan. 8 incident: reckless evasion of a police officer – 2800.2(A) VC; illegal possession of an assault weapon – 30605(A) PC; possession of a firearm as a felon – 29800(A)(1) PC; prohibited person to own/possess ammunition – 30305(A)(1) PC; possession of a large-capacity magazine – 32310(A) PC; illegal possession, manufacturing, or sale of undetectable firearms – 24610 PC; contempt of court – 166(A)(4) PC; possession of unlawful paraphernalia – 11364(A); committing a felony while on bail – 12022.1 PC; carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle – 25850(A) PC; and committing a felony while armed – 12022(A)(1) PC.
The original bail was set for $200,000; however, as Smith has shown he’s prone to flee, the deputy sought and received a bail enhancement of $400,000. Smith remains in Wayne Brown Correctional Facility awaiting prosecution.”
