SPPD Officers pelted with rocks,
bottles, branches as they give first aid
February 25, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
A melee that included people throwing rocks, bottles and tree branches at Santa Paula Police occurred late February 18 and resulted in the arrest of one person.
But others involved, said SPPD Commander Ish Cordero, could be subject to arrest.
The incident began at about 11 p.m. when officers were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence in the 800 block of East Virginia Terrace at 8th Street.
“When Sgt. Jeremy Watson arrived he contacted some people in front of the residence,” including said Cordero, a “male who was bleeding profusely from a wound to his arm. As Sgt. Watson was trying to gather information of what happened and who was involved,” four people nearby attempted to leave the scene.
Cordero said by then two more SPPD Officers had arrived on scene as backup for Watson and when they attempted stop the subjects from leaving the scene, “They became argumentative and confrontational… including the wounded man who became combative,” with officers who — due to the atmosphere had not allowed medical aid providers to enter the scene — were trying to render fist aid.
Suddenly, those at the scene “Turned on the officers,” and one man fled as the situation escalated and officers tried to retain control of the wounded man.
Said Cordero, “During this, all of a sudden the officers started getting pelted with rocks bottles and tree limbs… ”
With only three SPPD Officers, “Given the situation, they called for backup from Ventura County Sheriff’s Department,” and two units were dispatched.
Cordero said the situation, “Finally, after some time calmed down… but the family started acting up again… and we arrested one family member,” Samuel Grajeda, 30, of Santa Paula, “for battery of a peace officer and resisting, delaying and obstructing a peace officer in the course of his duties.”
The injured man, who would not say how he was wounded but officers saw broken glass on the ground, was transported to hospital by private vehicle after a paramedic treated him.
No officers were injured during the melee.
Cordero said Grajeda was transported to Santa Paula Hospital for medical clearance where, “He became combative again and had to totally restrained,” after he attempted to harm himself.
“The investigation will be ongoing as far as to the actions of the rest of the family that were involved in this incident,” that Cordero could result in further arrests.
Police, he added, have “Had contact with the family at this location in the past… ”
