MENDOCINO CO., 2/22/26 – A man on felony probation was arrested Thursday in Covelo after deputies alleged that he fled a traffic stop, crashed into a tree and was found with a stolen handgun, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said. Â
Deputies were patrolling near Henderson Lane around 10:50 p.m. when they spotted a vehicle with brake lights that were not working, the Sheriff’s Office said. As a deputy attempted to make a stop, the driver allegedly sped away, passing other vehicles and driving into oncoming lanes.
The pursuit ended after the vehicle struck a tree near Biggar Lane, officials said. The man, later identified as 26-year-old Oscar Lil Bear Martinez, then ran into a nearby field that contains abandoned cannabis greenhouses.
Deputies searched the area and found him lying on the ground in the 23500 block of Biggar Lane, the Sheriff’s Office said. He was detained without further incident.
Because of the crash, medical personnel evaluated Martinez for minor injuries.
Martinez was found to have two outstanding felony warrants and was on formal probation for assault with a deadly weapon.
Investigators allegedly found a loaded handgun inside the vehicle. A records check showed the firearm had been reported stolen. Authorities said Martinez is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior convictions.
He was arrested on allegations of suspicion of unlawful firearm and ammunition possession, carrying a loaded firearm as a prohibited person, grand theft of a firearm and violating felony probation, in addition to the outstanding warrants.
Martinez was booked into the Mendocino County Jail and is being held without bail.
The investigation remains ongoing.Â