Man Tased, Pepper-Sprayed, Tackled and Eventually Arrested After Attempted Carjacking at Courthouse Market Last Night, Eureka Police Say
From the Eureka Police Department:
On
10/8/20 at 7:39 pm, a Eureka Police Officer was on routine patrol
traveling westbound on 4th
Street, when he was
contacted by a citizen who was reporting a fight outside the
Courthouse Market. The citizen pointed out a van parked at the north
curb line of the 900 block of 4th
Street. The officer could see several subjects involved in a physical
fight inside the van.
Aubrey.
As
the officer approached the passenger side of the van to intercede, a
male was pushed away from the van by a male occupant. The male who
was pushed away was later determined to be the suspect/aggressor and
identified as Daniel Aubrey (28 years old). The officer confronted
Aubrey, but Aubrey advanced on the officer. The officer gave commands
to Aubrey, while drawing his Taser and displaying it, but the suspect
did not comply.
After
a few steps, Aubrey turned suddenly away from the officer and ran to
the van, where he jumped into the rear cargo area. The officer
followed and once again confronted Aubrey. Aubrey refused to comply
with commands. The officer deployed his taser at Aubrey, but it was
ineffective. He then OC sprayed Aubrey and it too was ineffective.
Aubrey then leaped to the driver’s seat of the van and began
assaulting a female who was seated there.
Additional
officers arrived on scene and Aubrey exited the driver’s side rear
door of the van, where officers attempted to detain him. Aubrey
continued to be confrontational and became combative, striking at the
officers. Officers attempted to subdue Aubrey with the use of pepper
spray and a Taser, however neither option was effective. Aubrey was
eventually taken to the ground in the middle of 4th
Street where he continued to resist. After a prolonged struggle,
Aubrey was detained in handcuffs. During the struggle an officer was
punched in the face and also bitten by Aubrey.
City
Ambulance was summoned to the to the scene to transport Aubrey to St
Joseph Hospital for injuries he sustained during the incident. As the
ambulance was preparing to transport Aubrey, he once again became
combative. While struggling with officers, Aubrey grabbed an
officer’s holstered firearm. Several officers attempted to restrain
Aubrey and during these efforts to control him in the ambulance,
Aubrey bit an additional officers’ finger causing a significant
injury. Once some control of Aubrey was regained, he was sedated by
ambulance personnel in an effort to safely transport him to the ER.
A
Detective, along with an Evidence Technician were summoned to the
scene to take over the investigation.
Aubrey
was ultimately treated and cleared for booking at Humboldt County
Correctional Facility (HCCF) on charges of attempted carjacking,
felony resisting arrest, felony battery on a peace officer, and
assault and battery. The injured officers received treatment for
their injuries at the hospital and were released.
Preliminary
information, based on victim/witness statements, indicate that prior
to the officer’s arrival, Aubrey entered the van at this location
and violently confronted and assaulted the occupants. At one point
trying to drag the female driver out from behind the steering wheel.
The occupants believed that Aubrey was trying to steal the van and
fought back in efforts to defend themselves. Two male occupants and
Aubrey struggled and they were able to push Aubrey from the van. As
this took place, the first officer arrived on scene. The occupants
stated that they did not know Aubrey.
It
is still early in the investigation and further updates will be
released as appropriate. Anyone with information regarding this
incident is urged to call Det. Bise at 707-441-4109