EARLY-MORNING POLICE CHASE ENDS AT EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE AIRMEN HELP AUTHORITIES TACKLE FLEEING SUSPECT IN DESERT.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - A police chase that reached 105 mph ended at Edwards Air Force Base's south gate as a construction worker in a pickup truck tried to escape California Highway Patrol officers who chased him more than 20 miles.

Alerted that the early morning chase on Wednesday was coming toward the base, airmen at the gate leveled M-16 rifles at the pickup's driver, who got out of his truck and ran into the desert, where he was tackled by the airmen, CHP officers and sheriff's deputies, according to CHP officers.

``They stopped him at gunpoint,'' said Lt. Andria Witmer of the CHP's Antelope Valley Office. ``We called them ahead of time so they knew he was coming.''

Johnny Wilkerson, 36, of Lancaster, who had two drunk-driving convictions in 1999 in Ventura County, was arrested on suspicion of felony evading officers, reckless driving, driving under the influence and resisting arrest, and is being held at the Lancaster sheriff's station in lieu of $75,000 bail.

The pursuit began just after 1:30 a.m. in Lancaster on 30th Street West north of Avenue I when a CHP officer spotted the GMC truck being driven recklessly and weaving, officials said.

The officer attempted to stop the truck, which slowed and moved toward the side of the street before speeding off, officials said.

Ignoring stop signs and traffic lights, the truck driver narrowly missed hitting a fence at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, drove in circles outside the fairgrounds, then drove into the fairgrounds' parking lot and made more circles, officials said.

The truck sped off east on Avenue H, then north to Avenue E, on the border of Edwards Air Force Base. The truck drove to Avenue E's dead end, then made a U-turn and headed back to 120th Street East, Edwards' south entrance, officials said.

The truck stopped at the gate, which is manned by armed guards and since 9-11 has been fitted with traffic barricades to stop vehicles from speeding past.

Because Wilkerson had been working as an electrical contractor on the base, Witmer said, he showed the gate guards a badge, but the airmen ordered him out of the truck.

When CHP and sheriff's patrol cars pulled in behind, he jumped out of the truck and ran into the desert but was quickly captured.

Wilkerson's hands and feet were tied in the back of the patrol car after he fought with the officers.

One deputy suffered minor injuries in the scuffle and Wilkerson was treated for cuts and bruises, officials said.

Greg Botonis, [phone]

gregory.botonis(at)dailynews.com

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(color) CHP officers inspect the pickup after the chase that went on for more than 20 miles after an officer spotted the GMC truck being driven recklessly and weaving, officials said.

Paul Weatherman/Special to the Daily News