Evading arrest, drug charges and warrants

On December 1, 2017, at approximately 10:46 pm, Sonora Police Officer Hankins observed a motorcycle driving erratically and at high speeds on Sanguinetti Road and Sanguinetti Loop. Officer Hankins also noted a Mazda Miata which was driving erratically near the motorcycle. Officer Hankins attempted a traffic stop on the motorcycle, and the driver of the motorcycle sped up and refused to stop. Officer Hankins Initiated a failure to yield and pursued the motorcycle.

 

The Motorcycle reached speeds of up to 85 to 90 mph on Tuolumne Road and was driving erratically and over the double yellow lines.  Officer Hankins was able to keep up with the Motorcycle. The driver decided to stop when he reached the area of Yosemite Road and Hershey Road East. A felony stop was initiated and the driver, identified as 30-year-old Joel Thomas Perkins of Tuolumne, was arrested without incident.

 

Perkins had numerous misdemeanor warrants for his arrest. He had approximately 5 grams of black tar heroin in his possession along with a Hypodermic needle. He was found to have a suspended license, and the motorcycle’s registration he was driving was also expired and suspended by the Department of Motor vehicles.

 

Perkins was booked into the Tuolumne County Jail for Felony Evading, possession of controlled substance, Possession of Paraphernalia and the numerous warrants. Perkins is being held on a $50,000 bail.