On 06/25/14, at approximately 12:25 PM,
an officer from the Angels Camp Police Department was dispatched to the
1400 block of S. Main Street on a report of a male with two small
children walking in traffic. Several reporting parties advised that the
male was acting irrationally, ranting about demons and hitting passing
vehicles as they drove by. One passing motorist reported that the
suspect broke the side-view mirror completely off of the door of their
vehicle. Two deputies from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office also
responded, and arriving officers found the male subject standing in the
roadway with the two children. The subject was later identified as
Soloman Fleming, a 24-year-old Tacoma, WA resident.
Fleming
picked up one the children and began running south on S. Main Street in
the lane of traffic. While still carrying the child, Fleming jumped
down an embankment onto Park Avenue where officers caught up to him.
Officers were able to remove the child from Fleming, and he immediately
attacked one of the officers. Fleming struck one of the officers in the
face multiple times, causing serious injury. While officers were
struggling with Fleming and attempting to take him into custody, Fleming
attempted to remove one of the officer’s baton and pepper spray.
Fleming was able to remove the pepper spray from one of the officers,
and a third deputy intervened and was able to assist with restraining
Fleming and handcuffing him. The children were unharmed and were
ultimately released to the custody of their respective mothers. A
passing motorist that saw the altercation taking place stopped to assist
with the care of the children.
The
officer and the two deputies all sustained various injuries during the
fight with Fleming. The Angels Camp Police Officer was transported by
ambulance to Mark Twain Medical Center and was treated and released
later the same day. The two deputies sustained minor injuries and were
treated on scene.
Fleming
was transported for a medical clearance prior to booking, and was
booked into the Calaveras County Jail on multiple charges related to
kidnapping, mayhem, resisting a peace officer, resisting a peace officer
and removing a weapon other than a firearm, battery on a peace officer
with serious injury, and child endangerment. The Calaveras County
Sheriff’s Office is assisting with completing the investigation into
Fleming’s actions, and his involvement with the children.