PRESS RELEASE- Traffic Collision and Arrest of Wanted Felon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Date: October 15, 2023

On 10/15/2023, at approximately 0700 hours, Paradise Police Officers were dispatched to the report of a single vehicle traffic collision involving a power pole near the intersection of Skyway and Rocky Lane. The reporting parties stated the driver had exited the vehicle and appeared to be walking away from the accident scene.

Officers arrived and located a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee which had left the roadway at a high rate of speed and struck the base of a PG&E power pole, shifting the base approximately 4 feet. Officers quickly searched the area and located a male subject walking south along Rocky Lane. The male subject matched the description provided for the driver.

Officer Wood attempted to contact the driver who was initially uncooperative to commands. The subject was identified as 66-year-old, Chico resident, Henry Harmon. Harmon was determined to be the driver of the involved Jeep and had a felony warrant for his arrest through Butte County. When taking Harmon into custody, he physically resisted several times before he was detained in handcuffs. Harmon was ultimately placed under arrest for his active warrant.

Witnesses informed Officers that prior to their arrival, Harmon had appeared to be hiding objects in the bushes along Rocky Lane.

Officer Wood utilized her Police service K9, Ridge, to conduct an article search around the area where Harmon was located. Ridge quickly located a backpack which had been concealed in dense brush. Inside the backpack officers located items belonging to Harmon along with illegal narcotics.

In addition to the felony warrant, Harmon was booked into Butte County Jail on the following charges:

• 11377(a) H&S Possession of Methamphetamine

• 11364(a) H&S Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

• 148(A)(1) PC Delay / Obstruct a Peace Officer

• 20002(a) VC Hit and Run – Property Damage Only

Paradise Police Department would like to extend thanks to the observant citizens who informed us of the suspicious activity prior to our arrival. Additionally, thanks to PG&E's rapid response, they were able to resolve the power pole damage with minimal disruption to power in the area.

LOCATION: Skyway and Rocky Lane Paradise, CA 95969

SUSPECT(S): Harmon, Henry Leroy

INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Officer M. Wood

APPROVING SUPERVISOR: Officer K. Tuck