Susanville Police Department

THOMAS V. DOWNING, Chief of Police

Press Release

May 17, 2012

On May 16, 2012 at approximately 11:20 pm, officers were dispatched to a loud party call at a residence in the 200 block of S. Gay St.  When officers arrived, they observed multiple individuals in the back yard.  As officers attempted to contact the individuals, the subjects went into the residence and refused to speak with the police. 

After a short time, officers were able to contact a few subjects who exited the residence into the front yard.  One of the subjects, identified as Jordan Patrick Drury age/24 of Janesville, was asked to leave the residence due to the complaint and he was not the resident.  Drury refused to comply and a verbal exchange ensued with the officers on scene.  As officers were attempting to place Drury under arrest, he resisted.  This resulted in a physical altercation, and Drury was ultimately arrested for resisting an officer.  During the altercation, officers deployed their department issued Taser to effect the arrest. 

As officers were struggling with Drury, a large group of people exited the house and began interfering with the arrest.  This caused the two officers on scene to call for additional assistance as they were concerned for their safety. Additional personnel from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office responded and assisted with the crowd. 

A second subject, identified as Manuel Raul Faustino age/21 of Susanville was also arrested.  He was arrested for interfering with the officers while they were attempting to arrest Drury.    

Drury was booked into the Lassen County Adult Detention Facility on the felony charge of resisting an officer (PC 69).  He was held on $7,000.00 bail.  Faustino was booked as well, and later released on a notice to appear for a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer (PC 148).

The case will be sent to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for review. 

Tom Downing

Chief of Police

Susanville Police Department

THOMAS V. DOWNING, Chief of Police

Press Release

May 5, 2012

On May 4, 2012 at approximately 2120 hours the Susanville Police Department was dispatched to the area N. Railroad Ave. and Richmond Rd. on a report of a man down in the road. 

Upon arrival, officers located Adam Mendes Age/25 of Susanville in the roadway suffering from trauma to the head.  Mendes was transported to Banner Lassen Medical Center and later transferred to Renown Medical Center due to his injuries.  As of the date of this press release, Mendes was in serious but stable condition.      

The evidence at the scene and subsequent investigation led officers to an address on Prospect Ave., where on May 5, 2012 two juvenile suspects were arrested for the assault of Mendes.

The juveniles, ages 14 and 15 of Susanville were booked into the Lassen County Juvenile Hall on charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Conspiracy.  They will be held without bail, pending a court appearance. 

If anyone has any information about this incident, they are urged to contact the Susanville Police Department through our 24 hour dispatch line at (530) 257-2171.   

Tom Downing

Chief of Police

Susanville Police Department

THOMAS V. DOWNING, Chief of Police

Press Release

May 5, 2012

On May 5, 2012 at approximately 0135 hours the Susanville Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of Wildwood Way, on a report of shots fired.  Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive male in the entryway of the residence suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the torso area.  The man, identified as Jason Theodore Hamel age/36 of Susanville was transported initially to Banner Lassen Medical Center via SEMSA Ambulance, and subsequently airlifted to Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV.  Hamel ultimately succumbed to his injuries and passed away Saturday morning.   

During the course of the initial investigation, officers learned that Hamel and another subject identified as Darreck Gene Bloem age/23 of Susanville may have had an altercation at the Diamond Mountain Casino earlier in the evening.  For unknown reasons at this time, Hamel came to Bloem’s residence and another altercation ensued, resulting in Hamel being shot.  

Bloem was arrested and booked into the Lassen County Adult Detention Facility on the charges of murder (PC 187) and the use of a firearm in the course of a crime (PC 12022.53).  He will be held on $600,000.00 bail. 

The police department was assisted at the scene by officers from the California Highway Patrol and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office.  Their help was greatly appreciated.   

We are only in the early stages of this investigation.  If anyone has any information about this incident, they are urged to contact the Susanville Police Department through our 24 hour dispatch line at (530) 257-2171.   

Tom Downing

Chief of Police

May 3, 2012

The Susanville City Council at its May 2, 2012 meeting appointed Captain Tom Downing to the position of Police Chief for the City of Susanville.

Chief Downing's career in law enforcement began in 1987 at the age of 17 when he served as an Explorer Scout for the City of Susanville. He worked as a Correctional Officer with the Lassen County Sheriff's office for 4-1/2 years while serving as a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Susanville. In May 1994, he was appointed as a full time police officer and was promoted to Police Sergeant in March 2001. In 2007, he was promoted to the position of Captain in 2007 where he served under Police Chief Atkinson.
 

Chief Downing's hard work and leadership abilities have been evident throughout his career. He has held positions as traffic officer, investigations, served on the narcotics task force and the SWAT team. He earned the honor of Police Officer of the year in 1994 and 1996, and served six years in the California Army National Guard.

A graduate of Lassen High school, Chief Downing earned his AA degree through Lassen Community College and a completed his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Management through Union Institute and University/Sacramento.

Chief Downing and his wife have four children and are active members of our community.
 

Chief Downing's leadership, professionalism, and dedication to his community have been evident throughout his career and we look forward to honoring his appointment at a public ceremony when he will be officially sworn in. Date and time will be announced at a later date.

Press Release
May 2, 2012

The Susanville Police Department has received calls about the theft and vandalism of campaign signs. The theft or vandalism of a campaign sign is a misdemeanor. If individuals are caught committing such a crime, they will be subject to arrest and prosecution.

If you observe anyone tempering with or stealing a campaign sign, you are encouraged to call our 24 hour dispatch line at (530) 257-2171. You can remain anonymous if you wish.

Tom Downing
Interim Chief of Police
 

On March 9, 2012 15 at approximately 15 minutes after midnight, a Susanville Police Officer attempted to stop a vehicle for driving without the headlights on during darkness on Ash St. near Bunyan Rd when the car evaded the officer. A vehicle pursuit ensued through the streets of Susanville. The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop in the Pat Murphy Little League field parking lot near River St. The driver and passenger of the vehicle fled on foot. The passenger, identified as Lexis Aryann-Jill Smith age/19 of Susanville was located hiding nearby and taken into custody. She was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled suspect and resisting an officer. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Armando Lucatero age/18 of Susanville was able to evade officers that night.

On March 14, 2012, the Susanville Police Department received a tip on the whereabouts of Lucatero. Acting on this tip, officers responded to a residence on Bangham Ln. in the Johnstonville area and arrested Lucatero without incident. Lucatero was subsequently booked into the Lassen County Jail and charged with felony evading an officer, and driving without a driver’s license.

The pursuit lasted approximately 3 minutes and traversed approximately 1.2 miles, with suspect vehicle speeds exceeding 70 MPH.

The case has been referred to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Tom Downing
Interim Chief of Police
 

It is with great appreciation for service that we announce the retirement of Chief Jeffrey Atkinson from the City of Susanville Police Department. Chief Atkinson will be exploring other opportunities
in the wake of his leaving City service.

Chief Atkinson has had a very successful career in law enforcement that began in October, 1989 as a deputy sheriff with the Lassen County Sheriff’s office. In April of 1992, he began his service with
the Susanville Police Department under Chief Marcus Murphy.

In June, 1996 he was promoted to the position of Sergeant under Chief James Wages. In September, 2003 he was appointed as Lieutenant in charge of operations under Chief Chris Gallagher.
 

In July, 2005 he was promoted to the position of Commander. This position included both operational and administrative duties under Chief Gallagher. In December, 2005 he graduated from the 223 Session of the FBI Academy at Quantico.

In September, 2006 Chief Atkinson assumed the position of Interim Police Chief. The “interim” was removed from the title and he became the Susanville Police Chief, where he has served with
distinction until March 2, 2012.

We wish civilian Jeff Atkinson and his family the best as he approaches the next exciting chapter in his life.

Press Release
February 7, 2012

On February 4, 2012 at approximately 3:45 pm the Susanville Police Department responded to the 400 block of Alexander Ave for a report of suspicious persons. Upon arrival, the officer learned that someone had forced entry into a vacant home and started a fire by placing a broom on the kitchen stove. The officer retrieved a fire extinguisher and put the fire out, minimizing the fire damage to the kitchen stove. During the course of the investigation, officers received a description of the two male subjects that had entered the residence a few moments prior to police arrival.

A Cal-Fire law enforcement officer in the area located two male juveniles just a few blocks from the scene who matched the description provided by witnesses. The two male juveniles, age 15 and 16 of Susanville, were later identified by witnesses as the suspects.

The boys were subsequently arrested for residential burglary, vandalism and attempted arson. They were booked into the Lassen County Juvenile Hall and will be held pending a court appearance.

The case has been referred to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Tom Downing
Police Captain