UPDATE from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office below the Humboldt County Press Release:

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Press Release:

On 04-15-2014, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the 16000 block of State Highway 254, Weott in regards to an unwanted subject. While enroute to the call, the female caller told Sheriff’s Office Dispatch the unwanted subject was Juan Luis Ayala Jr., 20 years old from Modesto, California, and he was wanted for attempted murder from Sonoma County. Sheriff’s Office Dispatch confirmed with Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office that Ayala was wanted for attempted murder and vehicle theft. Dispatch also learned from Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office the weapon used was a hammer.

When Deputies and California Highway Patrol Officers (C.H.P.) arrived at the residence where Ayala was at, the female caller met them outside. She told the deputies she did not want Ayala at her residence and Ayala was willing to surrender peacefully. Deputies entered the residence and took Ayala into custody without incident.

C.H.P. located the vehicle Ayala stole, a black 2000 Ford Echo in the South Fork High School parking lot. The vehicle was stored and Ayala was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where his bail is set at $500,000.00.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

UPDATE 10:58 a.m.: Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Press Release:

On 4/15/2014 at approximately 11:00 am, deputies were dispatched to Bailey Avenue in Petaluma regarding a victim that was attacked with a hammer. The victim was repairing chicken coops at a ranch when the suspect attacked him with a hammer. The attack was unprovoked and the victim had no idea why the suspect attacked him. The victim was struck in the face with the hammer and immediately lost consciousness. The suspect then attacked the victim again while he was on the ground. Two other workers at the ranch tackled the suspect and tried to detain him while law enforcement was called. The suspect was able to break free and fled on foot out of the area. 

Arriving deputies requested an ambulance and the victim was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with several injuries to his face and head. The suspect was identified as Juan Luis Ayala, 20 years old from Modesto, California. 

Deputies along with officers from the Petaluma Police Department and the California Highway Patrol began searching the area for the suspect. 

At approximately 11:40 am, a Petaluma Police Officer was flagged down by a citizen on Pine Lane in Petaluma stating that their vehicle had been stolen. The suspect who stole the vehicle was identified as Juan Ayala who had just committed the assault with the hammer. Ayala was able to escape the area in the stolen vehicle. 

At approximately 11:30 pm, the suspect Juan Ayala was arrested by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Ayala traveled to his aunt’s residence in Humboldt County and he began telling her of the crimes he committed. The Aunt in turn called the Sheriff’s Office and Ayala was subsequently arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, vehicle theft and possession of stolen property. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office responded to Humboldt County to transport Ayala to the Sonoma County Jail where he will be booked for the above charges. 

The Violent Crimes Unit will be conducting follow up investigation on this case. 

For further information contact Detective Sergeant Shannon McAlvain at 565-2185.