When the wanted criminal returns to the stolen vehicle to sleep and get arrested "without further incident"

 

On Dec. 5, 2020, at about 1 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the Hydesville area observed a vehicle being driven by wanted felony suspect Clayton Lloyd Miller, 32, of Eureka, on Highway 36.

In addition to felony warrants, Miller was wanted by HCSO deputies for the theft of a trailer in the Myrtletown area December 1.

Deputies attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, which was observed to be occupied by Miller and a female passenger, in the area of Rohnerville Road. Miller failed to yield the vehicle and a pursuit ensued. Deputies pursued the vehicle approximately 28 miles, eventually onto Kneeland Road. The vehicle then left the road, traveling through an open field and onto an overgrown logging road surrounded by a heavily wooded area. Due to the condition of the road and terrain, deputies exited their patrol vehicles and continued on foot. Deputies located Miller’s vehicle abandoned further down the road.

Deputies conducted a ground search for Miller and the passenger, while the California Highway Patrol assisted deputies with an aerial search for the two suspects. Despite great effort, law enforcement was unable to locate the suspects.

At about 9:30 p.m. that evening, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a call from a resident in the area of the 32,300 block of Kneeland Road for the report of an unknown female tapping on the resident’s window and asking for help. The resident, who was aware of the pursuit earlier that day, told dispatchers the female matched the description of the female passenger associated with Miller.

Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the female, identified as Camille Mischell Steele, 37, of Sausilito. Steele was then taken into custody on outstanding warrants. During their investigation, deputies learned that Miller had possibly returned to his abandoned vehicle and was sleeping inside. Deputies returned to the vehicle and located Miller. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Miller was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of burglary (PC 459/461(b)), grand theft (PC 487), vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)), resisting arrest (PC 148(A)(1)), assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (PC 245(A)(1)), probation hold (PC 1203(e)(4)), evading a peace officer (VC 2800.2) and fleeing a peace officer (VC 2800.4).

Steele was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on a warrant for robbery (PC 211), grand theft (PC 487(a)) and battery (PC 242).