High Speed Chase Leads To Arrests

Jamestown, CA– Two Wyoming men led Tuolumne County Sheriff’s deputies on a high speed chase early this morning.

22-year-old Mark Bitzan of Casper, Wyoming and his passenger Louis Hamilton, 21, also of Wyoming, were pulled over at the C and C mini mart in Jamestown at around 12:10 am after Deputy Alex Rivera noticed their Ford Ranger driving in reverse. He ran warrant checks on both men and discovered Bitzan was a convicted sex offender and was possibly out of compliance with his registration restrictions.

A glass jar containing marijuana and a smoking pipe were also found on the seat of the vehicle. Hamilton admitted the marijuana and smoking pipe were his and received a citation. Both men were released after the deputy had failed to get confirmation on Bitzen’s sex offender status.

As Bitzen was driving out of the parking lot, the confirmation was received and Deputy Rivera again pursued the two men and pulled them over. When questioned by the deputy, Bitzen sped away.

Bitzen went through Jamestown at 90 miles per hour and continued east bound forcing several cars off the road as they crossed over the center line near Wigwam Road. The chase went through Sonora and ended near Standard Road after the car ran over a spike strip.

Bitzan and Hamilton were both booked into Tuolumne County Jail. Bitzen is charged with evading police, resisting arrest, and failure to register as a sex offender. Hamilton was released with no further charges.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com