A tow truck driver in the midst of repossessing an automobile in the quiet 1500 block of Valley Glen Drive in Dixon was interrupted by a man wielding a knife and shouting threats at approximately 10:30 pm on Tuesday, April 29.
The repo man, whom Dixon Police declined to identify, was not injured. But while the car’s former owner, Darryl Eugene Merritt (47) of Dixon, distracted the repo man with a knife, his wife, Bridgette Ariana Merritt, (46), also of Dixon, entered the repossessed vehicle.
Starting the engine, Bridgette Merritt attempted to drive off. She was not successful in this endeavor, however, as the car’s front two wheels were not touching the ground.
The repo man called police while the wheels uselessly turned and Mr. Merritt continued his distracting behavior. On foot, the repo man was able to keep a few steps ahead of Merritt.
Upon the arrival of Dixon P.D. officers, Merritt and his wife were arrested. Mr. Merritt now faces charges of violating PC 245(a) (1), assault with a deadly weapon; CVC 10851, Stolen auto; and CVC 10852, tampering with a vehicle. Mrs. Merritt was booked for CVC 10851, stolen vehicle (even though it remained firmly hitched to the repo man’s tow truck’s forks).
After the Merritts were transported from the scene, police turned the disputed vehicle over to the repo man.
According to a Dixon P.D. spokesperson, Mr. and Mrs. Merritt remain lodged in Solano County Jail.
