69 pounds of pot found in car

Suspects reportedly fought with UPD officers

A man and woman from Los Angeles were arrested Friday after being stopped on a traffic violation with nearly 70 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle, the Ukiah Police Department reported.

According to the UPD, an officer stopped a vehicle in the 700 block of South State Street around 9:45 a.m. Oct. 9 for a traffic violation, and the driver reportedly provided a false name. After identifying the driver as Christopher N. Mendez, 41, of Los Angeles, the officer learned he had three warrants for his arrest and asked him to step out of the vehicle.

When the driver refused, the officer reached into the vehicle to open the driver’s door and pull out Mendez, who then tried to flee. When he was unable to because the officer had control of his arm, Mendez reportedly began punching the officer, then ran into the middle of South State Street after fighting with the officer.

The officer deployed his Taser, but it reportedly had no effect, and the officer and Mendez continued to fight and fell to the ground until two more UPD officers arrived and the suspect was taken into custody.

During the arrest of Mendez, his passenger, identified as Brooke S. Kahaner, 23, of Los Angeles, reportedly approached officers and began screaming at them. When officers attempted to handcuff her, she reportedly resisted.

A search of the vehicle reportedly revealed 69 pounds of marijuana, as well as “items commonly associated with marijuana sales” and a used methamphetamine pipe.

Mendez was arrested on suspicion of transporting marijuana,

marijuana sales, resisting arrest, providing a false name and for three felony LAPD warrants. He was treated at Ukiah Valley Medical Center before being booked into Mendocino County Jail.

Kahaner was also arrested on suspicion of marijuana transportation and sales, as well as resisting arrest, and was booked into county jail.