This is a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On 07-15-20 at approximately 1:54 P.M., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple radio calls for service involving an intoxicated subject in the 39000 block of South Highway 1 in Gualala, CA.
When the initial responding deputy arrived on scene, he spoke to numerous witnesses who identified Nathan Marrufo as being present in the area causing a disturbance. Marrufo’s behavior was described as suspicious and he had been observed striking various business windows, and it was learned he had entered the Surf Supermarket and stole perishable goods with a value less than $10.00.
The deputy located Marrufo seated in the parking lot of the Gualala Supermarket, located in the same general area. When the deputy attempted to contact Marrufo, Marrufo stood up and began walking away from the deputy. The deputy told Marrufo multiple times to stop, without any cooperation from Marrufo. Unable to gain Marrufo’s voluntary compliance, the deputy took physical control of Marrufo’s arm in order to stop him.
Marrufo immediately pulled away from the deputy and assumed a fighting stance. The deputy informed Marrufo several times to stop resisting and informed Marrufo if he continued to resist, the deputy would deploy his canine partner “Takoda.” Marrufo then struck the deputy in the face with a closed fist. The deputy immediately placed Marrufo on the ground in order to stop the physical assault. K9 Takoda was deployed from the patrol vehicle and immediately assisted in stopping Marrufo’s assaultive actions toward the deputy. After a short time, Marrufo was handcuffed and K9 Takoda was placed back into the patrol vehicle. While handcuffed and prior to being placed into the patrol vehicle, Marrufo continued to kick at the deputy.Marrufo was transported to Ukiah Valley Medical Center to be medically cleared prior to being booked into Mendocino County Jail for the following charges: 69 PC [Resisting Law Enforcement Officer with Force or Violence], 647(f) PC [Disorderly Conduct – Intoxicated in Public], and 459.5 PC [Shoplifting]. Marrufo was held in lieu of $15,000 bail.
Photograph of Nathan Murrafo from Mendocino County Sheriff’s Booking Logs
