Date: 02/14/2024

Location: Oak Manor School, 400 Oak Manor Drive, Ukiah

Victim: State of California

Suspect #1: Neil Bruce Waldron, 54-Year-Old Ukiah Male

Charges: 69(a) PC, Resisting Arrest with Violence (Felony)

3056 PC, Parole Violation (Felony)

11377(a) H&S, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)

On 02/14/2024 at approximately 8:00 am, the Ukiah Police Department (UPD) received a report of a suspicious man in the creek that borders the back side of Oak Manor School at 400 Oak Manor Drive, Ukiah. The reporting person stated the male was yelling and making threatening statements, but could not be specific on the type of threats. Oak Manor School personnel was notified about the disturbance until the male could be contacted.

A UPD School Resource Officer (SRO) responded to the area and found the male subject causing the disturbance in the creek area. He was later identified as 54-year-old Ukiah male, Neil Waldron. Upon contact, the SRO Officer saw Waldron was holding a large metal chain in his hands. Waldron began screaming threats at the SRO Officer and refused basic commands to stop what he was doing. The SRO Officer ordered Waldron to drop the metal chain and walk out of the creek towards the officer. Waldron refused and instead crossed through the creek to the other side and began running westbound through the creek, away from the SRO Officer.

The SRO Officer chased Waldron and caught up with him on the creek bank just east of the Highway 101 walking bridge. The SRO Officer attempted to take Waldron into custody, but Waldron began fighting with the SRO Officer. Waldron pushed and punched the SRO Officer as the fight continued into the water of the creek. The SRO Officer deployed his department-issued TASER, but it was ineffective. The struggle continued until multiple UPD Officers arrived on scene and were able to subdue Waldron in handcuffs without further incident.

After the scene was safe, UPD Officers searched Waldron and found him to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Waldron was also found to be on parole with the State of California for a violation of 459 PC-Burglary. The SRO Officer was injured during the struggle which required immediate medical attention at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley (AHUV) Emergency Room. The SRO Officer was later released from the hospital with a hand injury.

Waldron was also taken to the AHUV Emergency Room for treatment prior to incarceration. Waldron was medically cleared and he was booked into the Mendocino County Jail for the charges listed above.

UPD would like to thank personnel from the Ukiah Unified School District, California State Parole Office, and AHUV personnel for their assistance. As always, UPD’s mission is to make Ukiah as safe as possible. If you would like to know more about crime in your neighborhood, you can sign up for telephone, cellphone, and email notifications by clicking the Nixle button on our website; www.ukiahpolice.com.