PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man remained in the Clallam County jail Tuesday after what was intended to be a traffic stop of a bicyclist for an equipment violation became a police bicycle chase.
Michael Jake Armstrong, 30, was in jail on $10,000 bail for investigation of possession of a controlled substance, according to jail logs, after he was taken into custody Saturday.
Port Angeles police said they spotted Armstrong riding after dark with no lights or helmet at about 9:15 p.m. that night on West Motor Drive, just south of U.S. Highway 101 and South Oak Street.
“When officers made contact, he fled,” said Officer Dan Morse.
Armstrong rode the bicycle south to the Masonic Temple, 622 S. Lincoln St., followed by police, where he was intercepted and taken into custody for investigation of obstruction, Morse said.
The chase had little to do with Armstrong’s relatively minor infraction and everything to do with his decision to flee, Morse said.
“It’s similar to pulling over a car for no-turn signal, and they don’t stop,” he said.
Port Angeles ordinances require helmets for all bicyclists — enforced since 1994 — and state laws for after-dark bicycle riding require a white front light visible for 500 feet and a red rear reflector, or a rear light may be used in addition to the required reflector.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
