A Landers man was arrested Thursday, accused of evading and assaulting a deputy. On December 30, shortly after noon, Sheriff deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a grey Ford Mustang on Twentynine Palms Highway near Palm Ave in Yucca Valley, for vehicle code violations. According to a press release, the vehicle failed to yield to deputies and led deputies on a pursuit for over 35 miles from Yucca Valley to Landers. During the pursuit, the driver of the vehicle was identified as William Gaines, 36. At the time, Gaines had a felony warrant for kidnapping. During the pursuit, Gaines reportedly attempted to drive a deputy off the road multiple times and collided into the deputy’s patrol vehicle. Gaines was apprehended in Landers and placed under arrest for investigation of felony evading and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. William Gaines is being held at the West Valley Detention Center in lieu of $125,000 bail.
