The Ride is Over for Reckless Motorcyclist

Tuesday - May 13, 2008 - 8:00 a.m. - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  The ride came to an end for a motorcyclist who is suspected in several incidents of reckless driving and evading Deputy Sheriffs in the Santa Clarita Valley, dating back nearly 18 months.  The incidents apparently all involved the same motorcycle and rider, and occurred when deputies and California Highway Patrol Officers attempted to pull the motorcyclist over for various traffic violations, reckless driving, and no license plates on more than six separate occasions. 

It became common practice for the suspect to immediately flee from the deputies and officers as they attempted the traffic stop.  Although the deputies would immediately terminate their attempts to stop the suspect because of the potential danger to the public, in each incident the rider continued at a high rate of speed, routinely exceeding speeds of 100 miles per hour on Santa Clarita Valley surface streets, with no regard for the safety of other motorists, pedestrians, or himself. 

During one of the incidents on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 (-ref 19570), a deputy was reportedly pulled two feet alongside the suspect's motorcycle when he attempted to grab the suspect's arm and prevent him from fleeing following a traffic stop.  The suspect then reportedly turned around and drove back towards the deputy.  As the deputy attempted to get out of the way, the suspect glanced him with the motorcycle and sped away from the area.   

The latest incident occurred on Monday, May 12, 2008, where a motorcycle deputy from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station used his hand-held laser to document, who they believe is the same motorcyclist, traveling at over 100 MPH in the 22500 block of Soledad Canyon Road.  The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the rider continued at a high rate of speed westbound on Soledad Canyon Road to Creekside Road and out of sight. 

The deputies finally got the break they had been waiting for when another deputy recalled recently spotting a motorcycle matching the description parked in the 14000 block of Begonias Lane, Canyon Country.  Investigators from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Traffic Department set up an operation in the area on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, and arrested the suspect without incident. 

The helmet the suspect was wearing and the motorcycle, 2006 Honda CBR (pictured here), were both recovered.  Ironically, the helmet the suspect was reportedly wearing during one of the incidents (also pictured here) had a sticker with the following phrase on it: "Capable of Evading High Speed Pursuit". Deputies found the suspect was also on probation for Reckless Driving.

 

Joseph Milhoan, MW/21, of Canyon Country, was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on several felony and misdemeanor charges and his motorcycle was impounded. 

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office - Newhall filed one felony count of Reckless Evading with Willful Disregard for Public Safety, one felony count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer, one misdemeanor count of Reckless Driving and one misdemeanor count of Driving on a Suspended License.  The suspect was in court today and his arraignment was continued to Friday, May 30, 2008.  He was remanded to custody and is currently being held in lieu of $125,000 bail. 

Traffic deputies are grateful this reckless behavior was brought to an end before anyone was seriously injured or killed.  They were very concerned that this unsafe practice could end in tragedy and were especially concerned because of recent increase in the number of incidents involving fatalities of teenagers and young adults who were also riding motorcycles, many times recklessly or without a license or training. 

During a 12 month period, between February 2007 and February 2008, there were five fatality related collisions in the City of Santa Clarita and four of them involved motorcyclists.  The City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station launched an aggressive Public Safety Months campaign in an effort to raise awareness in the community regarding these types of public safety related matters. 

The February 2008 message was pertaining to motorcycle and bicycle safety.  For more motorcycle related facts, training classes and safety information, visit the following link: Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 08370

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and The West Ranch Beacon.  For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814.