Date: 03-31-2024
Location: 197 East Gobbi Street, Ukiah, CA.
Victim(s): 61-Year-Old Ukiah, CA male.
Suspect(s): Curtis Daniel Bettencourt 33-Year-Old Fort Bragg, CA male
Violation(s): 243(d) PC-Assault resulting in great bodily injury (Felony).
148(a)(1) PC- Resisting arrest (Misdemeanor).
11364(a) H&S-Possession of drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor).
On 03/31/2024, Ukiah Police Department (UPD) Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East Gobbi Street in Ukiah for a report of an assault that had just occurred. UPD Dispatch informed the UPD Officers that a suspect, described as a black male adult wearing sweatpants and no shirt had just attacked a male, and fled on foot towards Safeway.
A UPD Officer arrived at the intersection of East Gobbi Street and the Great Redwood Trail and was flagged down by multiple concerned citizens that were tending to an injured elderly male. The UPD Officer immediately determined that the victim had sustained traumatic injuries to his face and head, and was in need of medical treatment. Medical personnel were requested to the scene and the extent of the victim’s injuries were relayed to the other UPD Officers that were arriving in the area. Multiple eyewitnesses informed the UPD Officer on scene that the victim, a Ukiah resident had been casually walking down the street, had been punched multiple times, thrown to the ground, and kicked in the head.
The UPD Officers began canvasing the area for the suspect, and located 33-Year-Old, Curtis Bettencourt on the west side of Safeway. Bettencourt matched the description of the suspect as Bettencourt was shirtless and wearing sweatpants. Bettencourt was known to UPD Officers to have a history of drug use and violent behavior. Bettencourt was immediately noncompliant, refused to submit to detention, and took a fighting stance. Bettencourt balled up his fists and began making punching motions, leading the UPD Officer to believe that Bettencourt was preparing for a physical altercation.
The UPD Officer deployed his conducted energy device (TASER) at Bettencourt, which achieved neuromuscular incapacitation so Bettencourt was able to be restrained in handcuffs without any injury to the UPD Officer or Bettencourt.
The victim was transported to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley (AHUV) Emergency Room where treatment was initiated for multiple head wounds. Bettencourt was also transported to the AHUV Emergency Room for precautionary measures, before being taken to the Mendocino County Jail and booked on charges of assault resulting in great bodily injury [243(d) PC], resisting arrest [148(a)(1) PC], and possession of drug paraphernalia [11364(a) H&S.]
UPD would like to thank MedStar medical personnel who arrived on scene to treat the injured victim and AHUV medical staff for their assistance.
As always, UPD’s mission is to make Ukiah as safe a place 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.
Download: 24-0633.pdf