In Petaluma, a chase ensued when a young man on a Sur-Ron electric bike, later identified as Alexus Alstad of Martinez, led police on a pursuit through the city streets. The incident, which took place last Saturday, began when an officer spotted Alstad performing wheelies in traffic and ignoring stop signs on Jefferson St., prompting a traffic stop attempt that escalated into a vehicle pursuit.
The Petaluma Police Department reported that Alstad's Sur-Ron bike is classified as an "Off-highway motorcycle" and is illegal for street use. When first confronted by police, Alstad sped away, an action that led him through roads and sidewalks, amid other traffic, and into an ill-fated turn that caused him to crash his bike. Despite the fall, he managed to get up and continued to flee before finally stopping on Jefferson Street, where police apprehended him.
According to information released by the Petaluma Police Department, Alstad was booked on several charges at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility. These charges include felony evading of a police officer with wanton disregard for safety, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor resisting arrest. Alstad was taken to a local hospital to treat minor injuries sustained during the chase before being booked.
