Assault On Marin Cop Probed: Police

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A Novato man was arrested early Monday morning after lighting a butane lighter toward an officer, the San Rafael Police Department said.

Manolo Calderon-Puac, 41, was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony aggravated obstruction of a peace officer, police said.

Two officers were injured during the incident, police said.

Officers at around 12:30 a.m. responded to a call reporting suspicious activity while staying at a hotel in the 700 block of Francisco Boulevard East, police said.

The witness said two males they didn’t know awakened them after repeatedly banging on the front door that were overheard by the police dispatcher.

When responding officers located the two people associated with the disturbance, Calderon-Puac, was holding two butane lighters and failed to comply with an officer’s orders to drop them for safety reasons, police said.

“The officer went to reach for a lighter in one hand when Calderon-Puac raised his opposite hand, pointed the second lighter at the officer’s face, and ignited it,” police said in a statement.

“The flame from the lighter immediately singed the officer’s facial hair.”

Officers tased Calderon-Puac after he began fighting, according to police.

“The taser had no effect,” police said. “The officers were finally able to subdue Calderon-Puac and took him into custody.”

The second person involved fled during the altercation police said.

Calderon-Puac was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and was booked into the Marin County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated resisting of a peace officer, and obstructing a peace officer, police said.

The case was forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office for review.