(San Andreas, CA) On 12/29/13 at approximately 9:50 PM, sheriffs deputies were
dispatched to the Mark Twain Hospital parking lot for a report of a man with a gun. The
man was identified as Wayne Eric Townsend (51) of San Andreas. Suspect Townsend is
on California state parole, and is known to deputies. The sheriff s deputies searched the
area and located Suspect Townsend standing at the rear of the Cal Works building at the
corner of Mountain Ranch Road and St. Charles Avenue in San Andreas. Upon
contacting Suspect Townsend the deputy ordered him to show his hands, which he
refused to do. Instead, Townsend turned away from the deputy, lifted his shirt, and began
reaching into his waistband. The deputy, taking swift action, rushed Townsend, who was
intoxicated, and knocked him into a large shrub. As Townsend fell to the ground an 11
liz-inch knife flew from his hands. Suspect Townsend was immediately taken into custody
and booked into the Calaveras County jail. The deputy suffered minor cuts and scrapes
from the shrubbery. When Suspect Townsend was asked if he had planned on using the
knife against the deputy, he refused to answer.
Suspect Wayne Townsend was charged with Battery on a Peace Officer (misdemeanor),
Assault with a Deadly Weapon, not a Firearm (felony), Obstructing a Peace Officer
(misdemeanor), Carrying a Concealed Dirk/Dagger (felony), Public Intoxication
(misdemeanor), and Violation of Parole (felony).
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