On Wednesday afternoon, Modoc District Attorney Nancy Salarna says Alturas police responded to road debris, which led to a stand-off between a ‘manic’ Altruas man identified as Richard Lynn Elsea and police.
Details of the unfolding situation were not released. Yet, the DA says the situation escalated as Elsea continued to resist the officers and began threatening to run them over, forcing the officers to draw their weapons, all while Elsea’s minor was present. Elsea was eventually taken into custody and booked on multiple felony charges, including assault with the potential for great bodily injury and receiving stolen property.
The DA says that Elsea continued to make threats during his booking, saying, “I didn’t threaten anyone! I’ll earn it this time. I’ll kill someone this time.”
Despite law enforcement present at the arraignment and DA Salarna’s adamant objections to Elsea’s release due in part to his lengthy criminal history, which they say includes a strikeable offense, Modoc County Superior Court Judge Wendy Dier ruled Elsea was not a threat to the community and was released under the supervision of the county probation department. The DA says this ruling was made just moments after Elsea was removed from the courtroom due to what they say was “volatile behavior.”
Solarna says additional felony charges will be filed once supplemental records are received and reviewed.
