Police chase ends in crash, dog bites, jail

A motorcyclist who led law enforcement in a high-speed pursuit through Corning on Sunday was transported by medical helicopter to Enloe Medical Center in Chico for treatment after he crashed his bike and was bit by a police canine.

California Highway Patrol officer attempted to make a traffic stop around 3:30 p.m. on John Richard Kannon, 34, of Hayward, for speeding on his Yamaha motorcycle on Interstate 5 near Corning, police reported.

Kannon didn't stop and instead led the officer on a pursuit down the freeway, exiting north of Corning onto Highway 99W where the chase moved into Corning and eastbound on Solano Street, said Corning police Sgt. Jeremiah Fears.

Traveling at 80 mph, Kannon almost crashed the bike as he braked to turn right onto Marguerite Avenue, Fear said. Reaching speeds of 75 mph, Kannon reportedly raced down Marguerite then turned west onto South Avenue.

Thinking Kannon was getting off his motorcycle at the Columbia Avenue intersection, a CHP officer jumped from his vehicle to apprehend the motorcyclist on foot, but Kannon again took off on the bike turning south onto Columbia, Fears said.

Taking over the chase at this point, Fears followed the fleeing Kannon southbound on Columbia with the knowledge the road came to a dead-end.

The sergeant reported that due to his high rate of speed, Kannon was unable to stop the motorcycle before reaching the end of the road, at which time he lost control of the bike and crashed into a ditch.

Fears said Kannon stood up and began running southbound toward an orchard, leading the sergeant to deploy his police canine, Oso, to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

Oso caught Kannon and knocked him to the ground, biting him on the arm and leg, police reported.

In an attempt to get away from the dog, Kannon reportedly began hitting Oso on the face. In response, Fears said he struck Kannon several times on the arm with a police baton.

When Kannon finally surrendered, Fears said he was able to call off his canine partner.

The suspect was arrested, and suffering bites to his arm and leg, minor abrasions and bruising from the motorcycle crash and strikes from the police baton, he was transported to Enloe, police reported.

Officers said they located five packaged bags of marijuana, totaling 7.5 ounces in a backpack Kannon had in his possession.

Treated and released from the hospital, Kannon was booked into the Tehama County Jail on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale, possession of marijuana, obstructing a public officer, evading a police officer with disregard for safety, and driving on a suspended license for DUI. Bail was set at $74,000.