Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release:

On 05-01-2019 at about 2:01 p.m. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the Covelo area to assist the (CHP) California Highway Patrol.

CHP requested the Sheriff’s Office assistance regarding a vehicle driving over 90 MPH through down town Covelo. CHP advised the vehicle had possibly just been stolen and the driver was firing a gun into the air from the vehicle.  The vehicle was described in the BOLO from CHP as being a Red Honda Ridgeline.

While Deputies were responding to Covelo from Willits, they were advised the vehicle drove through several gates and fences. Deputies were further advised the vehicle stopped or became stuck in a large field in the 77000 block of Barns Lane in Covelo.

File photo of K9 Leo provided by the MCSO.

Deputies and CHP arrived in the 77000 block of Barns Lane and the driver was still inside of the vehicle (later identified as being Ambrose Fallis).

Fallis was given numerous verbal commands to exit the vehicle with his hands up, but he refused.

After more than an hour of such verbal commands, Fallis exited the vehicle and started displaying hand signs possibly gang related. Fallis then then got back into the vehicle and started moving around inside the vehicle as if he was looking for something.

Fallis exited the vehicle again and would not follow the Deputies verbal commands. Fallis kept putting his hands down towards his waist and then into his pockets. Fallis was told to keep his hands out of his pockets and place them in the air, but he refused to obey those verbal commands.

Due to the nature of this incident coupled with Fallis being reported to be driving around shooting a firearm into the air and because it was unknown if Fallis still had a firearm, he was told a Sheriff’s K9 would be deployed if he did not surrender.

Several more verbal announcements were given that a K9 would be deployed. Fallis still refused to surrender.  The decision was made to deploy Sheriff’s Office K9 Leo to assist in apprehending Fallis.  

K9 Leo was deployed resulting in a bite to one of Fallis’ legs. Fallis fought with K9 Leo pulling at his ears and punching him in the head and face in the attempt to get the K9 Leo to release him.

Deputies were able to handcuff Fallis at which time K9 Leo was released. Fallis was taken into custody without further incident.
The vehicle was checked for the firearm Fallis was reported to have been firing into the air, but only two replica firearms with the red tip covered in black paint or ink were located.

Also located in the vehicle was a glass methamphetamine pipe. The pipe and replica firearms were taken as evidence. The vehicle Fallis was driving was turned over the CHP.

Fallis was transported to Howard Memorial Hospital for medical treatment for the injuries he received during K9 Leo’s deployment.
Fallis was medically cleared for incarceration and transported to the Mendocino County Jail where he was booked for 600(a) PC, 148(a) PC 11364(A) H&S and 20150(A) PC. 

Fallis was to be held at the Mendocino County Jail in lieu of $15,000.00 bail.

600(a) PC (Felony Assault on a Police Dog)
148(a) PC (Resist Arrest)
11364(a) H&S (Possession of drug paraphernalia)
20150(a) PC (Alters replica/imitation Firearm)