On 02/18/2014, at about 1:09 p.m officers from the Redding Police Department were sent to the area of Alta Mesa Ave. and Marlene St. after citizens reported a male subject who was in the roadway armed with a hatchet and acting bizarre.
Officers arrived and saw the man armed with the hatchet near 3259 Alta Mesa Dr. Officers tried to speak with the man but were ignored. The armed male, disregarded officer’s direction to stop and speak with them, and went into the rear yard of the residence. A few moments later, the suspect was seen by officers and was now inside of the residence. Again officers tried to calm the situation and gain the suspect’s compliance asking him to exit the residence and speak with them. The suspect refused.
A woman (later determined to be a relative of the suspect) entered the living room area where the suspect was. The suspect grabbed the female from behind and restrained her. The woman was struggling to get free from the suspect to no avail. Officers quickly formulated a plan of action to rescue the hostage.
While officers continued to speak to the suspect from the front porch area, other officers entered the residence and subdued the suspect. The victim was not harmed during this incident.
The suspect was identified as 28 year old Ou Choy Saechao and was arrested for false imprisonment, kidnapping and resisting arrest. Saechao was booked at the Shasta County Jail.
From Redding Police Department press release.
