Ukiah Man Accused of Viciously Assaulting Partner, Faces Charge of Attempted Murder
A Mendocino County man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and other charges after allegedly brutally assaulting his partner.
In a press release, the Sheriff’s Office identified 48-year-old Larry Pee Wee Commander as the individual arrested in connection with an alleged violent attack on his partner in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 17.
Deputies had responded to the 1600 block of South Dora Street in Ukiah to investigate a reported assault. At the scene they spoke with the victim, a 33-year-old female, as she was being treated by Emergency Medical Services for multiple severe injuries sustained during the attack. Commander, her partner, was soon identified as the suspect.
Authorities say that Commander had already fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival. Evidence gathered at the scene and statements provided reportedly indicated that Commander had not only violently attacked the victim, but had threatened to kill her throughout the assault.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Commander allegedly pointed a handgun at the victim and later pistol-whipped her in the head with it. The assault had “caused such a commotion” that the neighbors became alarmed and called 9-1-1. When Commander learned that authorities were on their way, he fled.
As the investigation was underway, the Ukiah Police Department received a service call involving Commander, who had reportedly turned up at a local clinic and was behaving strangely. Ukiah police officers and Mendocino County deputies converged on the scene and located Commander walking in the area of the Pear Tree Shopping Center.
He was taken into custody without incident, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Commander was later booked at the Mendocino County jail on suspicion of attempted murder, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, criminal threats, and possession of a controlled substance, with bail set at $250,000.
It was unclear at press time whether Commander had retained an attorney.
