K9 apprehends man who fled from, fought with SCSO deputies

REDDING — A probationer who fled from deputies during a Redding area traffic stop and then fought with a sheriff’s K-9 deployed to subdue him was ultimately apprehended and arrested early Tuesday morning, July 16. One of his two companions was also arrested for multiple warrants after the stop, which happened in the area of Lake Blvd. and Hiatt Dr.

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At around 12:55 a.m., a Shasta Lake Sheriff’s Deputy was on routine patrol when he spotted a blue Honda Civic traveling northbound on Lake Blvd in front of him, Shasta County Sheriff’s Sgt. Garet Baldwin later reported. While driving behind the car, which was occupied by three people, the deputy noticed the vehicle’s registration was expired, and conducted a traffic enforcement stop.

During the stop, deputies identified the driver as 31-year-old, Danny Wayne McKee. His two passenger were identified as Derrick Skylar Steele, 33, and Kaula Louise Reed, 31.

Two people, including a man who fled from and fought with deputies and a K9 were arrested after a Redding traffic stop, officials say. SCSO photos

“A records check on the subjects revealed McKee was on probation for burglary and had an expired driver’s license,” Baldwin explained. “Steele was found to have two felony warrants and four misdemeanor warrants. One of Steele’s warrants was for the charge of obstructing a peace officer and he had a flag in his record that he was not law enforcement friendly.”

Reed was also found to have a felony warrant and two misdemeanor warrants for her arrest and she was also on probation, according to Baldwin.  

Based on the circumstances, a K-9 handler with his partner “Hondo” responded to the scene of the stop to assist.

After deputies had Steele exit the passenger side of the vehicle and recovered a knife from him for safekeeping they attempted to place the probationer into handcuffs.

“Steele quickly pulled his arm away from the deputy and attempted to escape arrest by running northbound on Lake Blvd, toward Ward Ln.,” according to the Sgt. “Steele ignored multiple orders by the deputies to stop and continued running away from them,” according to Baldwin; who said the fleeing man began placing his hands in his waistband area as he was running from deputies.

Due to the potential danger, K9 “Hondo” was deployed to apprehend Steele, as deputies continued to chase him behind a residence on Ward Ln, approximately 150 yards away from their vehicles. During the foot pursuit, deputies put out an emergency broadcast requesting priority assistance, at which time Redding police officers began to flood into the area to assist.

Shasta County Sheriff’s K9 “Hondo” was instrumental in apprehending a man who fled from officers during an early morning traffic stop. SCSO photo

“As deputies reached the rear of the residence, they found Steele fighting with Hondo, holding the K-9 around his neck and collar,” Baldwin explained. “Steele ignored orders to stop fighting with the K-9 and he began being bit during the struggle.”

Deputies were forced to join the fight to overcome Steele’s resistance and take the violent and combative man into custody.

Despite his resistance, deputies soon overpowered Steele, who finally surrendered to deputies and was arrested without further incident.

During a subsequent search of Steele’s vehicle, deputies located suspected methamphetamine and drug-related paraphernalia.

After his arrest, Steele was transported to Shasta Regional Medical Center for treatment of his dog bites and then booked into the Shasta County Jail on charges of obstructing a peace officer and interference with a police K-9, in addition to his multiple warrants.

Reed was also transported to the jail and booked on her multiple warrants. “In addition, while Reed was being processed, she attempted to smuggle drugs into the jail facility, a violation of bringing a controlled substance into a custodial facility,” Baldwin explained.

McKee was ultimately cited for vehicle code violations and released from the scene.

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Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.