The following is a press release issued by the Ukiah Police Department. This has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On 2/16/23 at approximately 11:07 am, a uniformed Ukiah Police Officer was in the area of Rupe St. and Perry St. conducting patrol when he observed a male subject he knew from previous law enforcements contacts as John Cook walking in the area. The Officer knew Cook had a felony warrant for his arrest out of Sonoma County for a felony probation violation.
The Officer contacted Cook and Cook immediately began to run from the Officer through a field and jumping multiple fences towards the 1000 block of S. State St. in an attempt to flee from the Officer. The Officer gave chase and provided Cook’s direction of travel and clothing description to UPD Dispatch and responding officers.
While chasing after Cook, the Officer noticed that Cook had discarded a cylindrical object. The Officer later collected the object and noticed it appeared to be a homemade firearm (zip gun) that contained an unspent .40 Caliber round.
Additional UPD Officers and Detectives arrived on scene and began to set up a perimeter. Cook was spotted by an officer in the area of Hey Taxi (1091 S. State St.). The officer alerted the other officers in the immediate area and they responded to the location. Cook saw the approaching officers and began to run into the Mountain Mikes parking lot.
The Officer gave chase and caught up to Cook in the Mountain Mikes parking lot. Officer’s removed their department issued firearms and pointed them at Cook and gave him orders to stop and lay on the ground. After a brief hesitation, Cook complied and laid on the ground and was taken into custody without further incident.
Upon search incident to arrest, Cook was found to be in possession of a concealed fixed blade knife that was tucked in his belt and under his clothing where it was not visible.
Cook is on felony probation out of Sonoma County for 21310 PC (dirk dagger) and had terms that included, “obey all laws,” “no firearms or ammunition,” and “no weapons”. Cook is also a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing ammunition.
Cook was later medically cleared and booked at the MCSO Jail for the aforementioned charges. A photograph of the homemade firearm that Cook had in his possession is attached below.
