Officer Assaulted with a Butane Lighter, House Painter Arrested at Motel 6
SAN RAFAEL — A house painter landed behind county bars after a police officer was assaulted with a butane lighter. Manolo W. Calderon-Puac, 41 of Novato, is the suspect being held accountable for burning an officer’s facial hair.
Calderon-Puac was booked at Marin County Jail for what happened at Motel 6, located at 737 Francisco Boulevard East. The suspect was holding lighters in his hands when one ignited close enough to burn an officer.
Officers were responding to a report about suspicious activity at the motel. A guest had reported that two men were banging on the door. In fact, a police dispatcher heard banging over the phone. It was shortly after midnight on January 31.
Officers located two men believed responsible for banging and waking the motel guest. One of them was holding lighters in each of his hands. He refused to drop them when the officer told him.
When officers attempted to arrest Calderon-Puac the situation turned violent. The second suspect fled from the area when a fight started with Calderon-Puac.
Officers eventually subdued and arrested Calderon-Puac. He was booked into Marin County Jail at 4:40 a.m., after being treated for minor injuries at a hospital. Two officers also sustained minor injuries, but they finished their shifts.
Calderon-Puac remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bond, pending review of open charges. He faces charges for assault with a deadly weapon. In addition, he faces charges for aggravated resisting an officer, and obstructing an officer.
