(San Andreas, CA) On 12/29/13 at approximately 9:50 PM, sheriff’s 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 ½-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).
