March 26, 2009 Blotter

Samplings of recent calls received by Clovis-area law enforcement officers, according to reports:

About 11 p.m. March 12 an officer on patrol in the area of Seventh and Gidding Streets noticed a vehicle being driven erratically.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped up, running at least one stop sign before crashing into a tree in the front yard of a residence in the 1000 block of Ash Street.

When the officer approached the vehicle, the driver had fled the scene.

The 23-year-old was found lying in a dry lake bed a couple of blocks away.

He was treated for injuries from the crash and arrested for DUI, aggravated fleeing an officer, leaving the scene of an accident and was issued several traffic citations.

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About 5 a.m. March 14 officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of Merriwether for a report of a fight.

A caller told dispatch a large group of people was beating up a male on the front porch of the residence but dragged him inside when the police arrived.

The owner of the residence refused to allow the officers inside the house and ordered the occupants of the house to lock the door and not let anyone in.

Because the officers were concerned a battery victim was being held inside the house, the officer noted they entered the home.

The home owner followed officers through the house cursing at them and refused to comply with instructions, so was arrested.

Officers located the battery victim but the man, who they noted was intoxicated, refused assistance and refused to cooperate.

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About 6 p.m. March 14 an officer responded to a business in the 100 block of 14th Street for a narcotics report.

A manager said a cashier found a baggy containing a crystal substance on the floor that was dropped by a customer.

The substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

Employees said they were unable to describe the customer.

The meth was placed into evidence for later destruction.

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About 9 p.m. March 14 an officer responded to an undisclosed location for a battery report.

A taxi driver said she had picked up a fare from a bar on Mabry Drive and as she was driving him home, he grabbed her arm several times and tried to pull her towards him.

When they arrived at the man’s home, she said he went in the house and came back with a $100 bill, which she told him she did not have cash for.

She said the man told her to keep the $100, then grabbed her by the back of the neck and attempted to pull her towards him. The woman said she gave him his money back and left.

The officer spoke to the man, who said he didn’t do anything to the taxi driver, then asked if she was accusing him of attempting to rape her.

The officer noted intent to seek a warrant for the man’s arrest.

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Police blotter is compiled by CNJ staff writer Sharna Johnson. She can be contacted at 763-6991 or: e-mail to: