Man with multiple felony warrants on the run after evading police chase in Nevada City

The Grass Valley Police Department is warning people to not interact with pedestrians or hitchhikers near Cascade Shores after a wanted man managed to escape officers Friday near Nevada City.

John Wenzel Niece was seen driving a car with an expired registration around 9:05 a.m. on Banner Lava Cap Road on Friday, according to the release. When a California Highway Patrol officer attempted to pull him over, he fled and a pursuit ensued.

The chase went through the Banner Mountain Area and the Greenhorn Creek river bed as officers from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, Grass Valley Police Department, Placer County Sheriff’s Office and CHP joined in. Niece was able to escape the officers using the rural terrain and remains at-large.

Niece has multiple warrants for felony arrest evasion, resisting arrest and possible assault with a deadly weapon. He was last seen south of eastbound Highway 20 near the Cascade Shores area. Officers are warning people in that area to not interact with hitchhikers or pedestrians and to call 911 if they have any information.