The following is a press release issued by the Ukiah Police Department. This has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Location: 437 North Orchard Ave. Ukiah, Ca
Suspect: Monique Martinez (37-year-old female from Woodland, Ca)
Violations: 2800.2(a) VC- Evading with willful wanton and disregard for safety “Felony” 182(a) PC- Conspiracy “Felony” 11359(b) H&S- Possession of Marijuana for Sale “Felony”
Suspect: Serxhio Nokaj (27-year-old male from Prussia, Pa)
Violations: 182(a) PC- Conspiracy “Felony” 11359(b) H&S- Possession of Marijuana for Sale “Felony”
On 7/26/2023 at approximately 2200 hours, a Ukiah Police Officer was monitoring traffic for violations in a construction zone in the 500 block of North State St. The officer observed a white Chevrolet Suburban fail to stop at a stop sign located at North State St. and Norton St.
The officer got behind the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle for the observed traffic violation. As the officer activated overhead emergency lights, the vehicle immediately began to recklessly speed away at a high rate of speed eastbound on Clara Ave., nearly colliding with parked vehicles on Clara, and crossing over lanes of traffic. The officer initiated a vehicle pursuit on the vehicle.
During the pursuit, the vehicle attempted to turn southbound on North Orchard Ave. from Clara Ave., when the driver lost control of the vehicle and was involved in a traffic collision that ended on the east sidewalk of North Orchard Ave. directly in front of Kohl’s (437 North Orchard Ave.). The traffic collision caused damage to Kohl’s property, major damage to the vehicle, and ultimately disabled the vehicle causing it to come to a stop.
The officer along with assisting MCSO Deputies and CHP Officers were able to safely take the driver and passenger into custody. During the investigation, a search of the vehicle was conducted and $25,000 dollars in cash along with 3 pounds of marijuana was discovered.
After concluding the investigation on scene, both individuals were arrested for the above-listed charges and were transported to the Mendocino County Jail for incarceration.
The Ukiah Police Department would like to thank MCSO and CHP for their assistance with this investigation.
As always, our mission at UPD is to make Ukiah as safe a place as possible. If you would like to know more about crime in your neighborhood, you can sign up for telephone, cell phone, and email notifications by clicking the Nixle button on our website; www.ukiahpolice.com
Lucrative arrest and the money will be charged accordingly as with seizure law ! UPD gets 25K in cash..LoL
They probably found more than that. That’s what they’re claiming the rest they can pocket.
Thank you UPD for putting your lives on the line to catch these scumbags. Respect.