News Summary
Huntington Beach police arrested two suspects following a high-speed pursuit that started with the theft of a leaf blower. The chase ended with the recovery of a loaded firearm and the apprehension of the suspects, Clayton Lohman and Kurstin Pulliam. Authorities had to temporarily implement a shelter-in-place order at local schools due to the risks posed by the pursuit. Lohman faces multiple serious charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, while Pulliam faces charges related to drug possession. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety during police pursuits.
Huntington Beach Arrests Following High-Speed Pursuit
Huntington Beach police have arrested two suspects, Clayton Lohman, 27, from Florida, and Kurstin Pulliam, 28, from Texas, after a high-speed chase that began with a theft report on Friday morning. The chase culminated in the recovery of a stolen leaf blower and a loaded firearm.
Police were alerted at around 8:45 a.m. to a theft incident involving a leaf blower taken from a gardener’s truck located at the intersection of Yorktown Avenue and Goldenwest Street. After fleeing the scene, the suspects’ vehicle was identified by its description and a partial license plate number.
Approximately 30 minutes later, an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the identified vehicle. Instead of pulling over, the suspects accelerated away from the officer, prompting a high-speed pursuit. However, authorities decided to cancel the chase due to the reckless driving patterns exhibited by the suspects as they approached downtown.
In response to concerns for public safety, Dwyer Middle and Smith Elementary schools instituted a shelter-in-place order during the search for the fleeing vehicle. This precaution aimed to ensure the safety of students and staff amid the ongoing situation.
After the pursuit was called off, witnesses provided key information that led officers to the area where the suspects had abandoned their vehicle. Following a thorough containment of the area, police successfully located and apprehended Lohman and Pulliam.
In addition to the stolen leaf blower, officers recovered a loaded firearm from the abandoned vehicle, further escalating the severity of the charges against Lohman. His criminal history reveals prior arrests in Florida for similar theft offenses as well as an active narcotics warrant in Texas.
Lohman has been booked on multiple counts, which include being a felon in possession of a firearm, felony evading, petty theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, delaying or obstructing an officer, and possession of a loaded firearm in public. Pulliam, meanwhile, faces charges that include conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
This incident underscores the challenging nature of police work in Huntington Beach and raises ongoing concerns about vehicle pursuits and public safety. Police departments continuously evaluate protocols for high-speed chases to minimize risks to the community while effectively apprehending suspects.
The recovery of firearms and stolen goods from such situations emphasizes the importance of timely reporting from citizens as well as the prompt response by law enforcement. Authorities continue to encourage the public to report suspicious activities to facilitate timely interventions and keep communities safe.
The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing property crime and public safety whilst ensuring the safety of the community during police operations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Leaf Blower Thieves Arrested After High-Speed Chase
Tragic Incidents Rock California: From Chases to Collisions
Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Police Arrest Felon with Loaded Gun
- Google Search: Huntington Beach Arrests
- Orange County Register: Felon with Loaded Gun Arrested at No Kings Protest
- Google Scholar: Huntington Beach Crime
- NBC Los Angeles: Armed Man Arrested at Huntington Beach Protest
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Huntington Beach
- KTLA: Schools Shelter in Place During Police Pursuit
- Google News: Huntington Beach Police
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
