Nevada Highway Patrol trooper looks at at the front end of a Carson City Sheriff's deputy car after it hit a quad it had been chasing through Mills Park. The suspect on the vehicle was wanted for questioning about stolen items. Photo by Brian Corley
A Carson City man on an allegedly stolen all-terrain vehicle was arrested Monday after leading officers on a chase that ended in a collision on the lawn at Mills Park, authorities said.
John Hoffer, 28, was being held in the Carson City Jail on two warrants for burglary and failure to appear, felony assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of stolen property, misdemeanor driving on a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, resisting arrest, driving without a motorcycle license, driving without a helmet. His bail was set at $93,880.
About 2 p.m. deputies were at the Carson Royale Mobile Home Park off Lompa Lane after someone reported a boat, quadrunners, a snowmobile and a flatbed trailer had been left there the previous evening, said Sgt. Bob White of the Carson City Sheriff's Department.
The vehicles matched the description of those reported that morning stolen from the U.S. Geological Survey lot in the 300 block West Nye Lane, White said.
"Hoffer showed up in a possible stolen car and saw us there," White said.
White said the stolen vehicle was a black Range Rover taken from Carson City last week.
He said Hoffer then allegedly hid the car and left the area on foot, ending up in a field behind Tires Plus on Highway 50 East.
When police spotted him there, White said, Hoffer jumped on the quad and "took off."
About seven Carson City deputies followed Hoffer down Long Street to Molly Street and through a field between Long Street and Highway 50 East, where Hoffer allegedly cut across Highway 50 and onto the grass at Mills Park, White said.
The park was surrounded by officers. Deputy William Rosario was directly behind Hoffer, White said, when Hoffer lost control of the quadrunner, at the east end of the Pony Express Pavilion.
"Rosario couldn't stop and hit the (quad)," White said.
The ATV's fender and rack were lodged onto the hood of the patrol car. The patrol car's front end was in the air, resting on the rear tire of the quad.
Hoffer, who was handcuffed, apologized to officers as they frisked him before putting him in another patrol car for transport to the hospital.
"Dude, I'm sorry. All right, I'm sorry," he said. He was treated at Carson-Tahoe Hospital for a small cut on his ear.
The FBI is in charge of the U.S. Geological Survey theft, White said.
The Nevada Highway Patrol is investigating the collision.
