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Clearlake Police K9 apprehends domestic violence suspect

Lake County News - 4/24/2018

CLEARLAKE, Calif. ? A Clearlake man who police said assaulted his wife was taken into custody last week with the aid of a police K9.

Carmelo Zepeda Hernandez, 36, was arrested on the night of April 15, according to a report from Sgt. Elvis Cook of the Clearlake Police Department.

Just after 10 p.m. on that date Officer Mark Harden responded to a report of a domestic violence in the 3900 block of Vista Robles Way, in the city of Clearlake, Cook said.

Once on scene, Officer Harden conducted his investigation and concluded a male, later identified as Zepeda Hernandez, had physically assaulted and injured his wife, according to Cook.

Cook said that, prior to officers arriving on scene, Zepeda Hernandez fled the area.

At approximately 1:30 a.m.April 16, Zepeda Hernandez was reported to be back at the residence, attempting to break the front door down, Cook said.

Cook said Officer Harden along with additional Clearlake Police officers arrived on scene and established a perimeter around the residence. When officers arrived, Zepeda Hernandez went to flee the scene again.

Zepeda Hernandez was reported to be violent, and was possibly armed with a knife, Cook said.

Officer Harden gave several police canine announcements to Zepeda Hernandez to provide him the opportunity to surrender without incident. However, Cook said Zepeda Hernandez would not comply as ordered by Officer Harden.

Due to the inherent officer safety risk of this type of crime, Cook said Harden deployed his Police K9 Partner "Zip" to apprehend Zepeda Hernandez.

After being apprehended by Zip, Zepeda Hernandez continued to resist and was taken into custody with the assistance of several officers, Cook said.

After being medically cleared at Adventist Health Hospital Clear Lake, Carmelo was transported to the Lake County Jail, where Cook said he was booked on charges of felony domestic violence and resisting arrest.

Jail records showed that Zepeda Hernandez's bail was set at $25,000. He later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.

Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to contact Officer Harden at the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251, or through email at mharden@clearlakepd.org.