Clearlake >> A SWAT team was called in when a man claiming to be both God and Lucifer threatened to take his life along with that of neighbors and law enforcement officers.
Michael Jacob allegedly ate glass and brandished a weapon that appeared to be a rifle during his Wednesday night encounter with police. He said it was time to go and that he was going to take people with him, Clearlake Police Department (CPD) Lt. Tim Celli reported in a media statement.
The long and often tense standoff ended quietly. Several sheriff’s deputies, along with officers from CPD, were directed to the home on the 3800 block of Manchester St. and set up a perimeter around the residence. After several hours and continued efforts by law enforcement pleading with him to surrender peacefully, the suspect finally came to the front window, Celli said.
That was when Jacob allegedly picked up glass from the broken window and placed shards in his mouth. The suspect then climbed out the window where he was met by awaiting law enforcement officers from CPD and LCSO. Jacob, of Grass Valley, was safely taken into custody.
The incident began with a routine call. At approximately 9:16 p.m. when CPD Sgt. Travis Lenz and officers Leonardo Flores, Trevor Franklin and Jared Nixon were dispatched to the residence to conduct a welfare check on Jacob, 27, who was believed to be on some sort of narcotic.
When they arrived, Jacob reportedly refused to obey officer’s requests while making several threats, Celli said.
The suspect, who at the time was only identified by a first name of Michael, was in a locked fenced yard. He was reportedly delusional and allegedly indicated he planned to kill the police officers, the neighbors and then himself. Officers developed the opinion that the suspect was under the influence of a controlled substance and attempted to negotiate with Jacob to come out of the fenced and locked yard; however, he remained uncooperative and continued to issue threats, Celli said.
When the suspect eventually started toward the house tensions escalated. He was ordered to stop by police, who feared he might arm himself while inside. Jacob refused and a Taser fired at the suspect had little effect, Celli reported.
After Jacob ran inside, he shattered the front windows of the residence with a baseball bat while saying he had guns. He also claimed there were other occupants inside. However, no weapons were seen at that point by officers and no other voices or subjects could be heard. The suspect continued threatening police officers and at one point allegedly started a chain saw inside the residence. According to Celli, he could be heard yelling and screaming inside.
Officers continued to attempt to negotiate with Jacob, who then allegedly started throwing large rocks and a baseball bat at the officers out of the front window. Officers continued to try and talk with the suspect to negotiate his surrender but were unsuccessful. At one point Jacob was seen by officers carrying what appeared to be a rifle. The suspect placed it in what law enforcement called a tactical position near the broken out front window of the residence and then retreated out of sight.
Once the possible firearm was spotted, officers contacted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and requested a SWAT response. This was necessary due to the threats made and the observation of a rifle, Celli said.
Officers maintained tactical positions and continued to attempt to negotiate with the suspect. Jacob failed to comply with numerous orders. He could be seen on occasion walking and sitting near the rifle but made no further threats.
As a precautionary measure several adjacent residences were evacuated while officers awaited the LCSO response.
The rifle he brandished was discovered to be a loaded, high-powered pellet rifle that appeared to be a realistic looking firearm, Celli said. A safety and security sweep of the residence revealed no other occupants inside nor was any other firearms located.
Jacob was transported to the Saint Helena Hospital, Clear Lake for treatment and examination due to him possibly swallowing glass.
At the time of this press statement issued early Thursday morning Jacob remained under observation at the hospital pending his medical clearance for incarceration. After his release it is anticipated that he will be booked into the Lake County jail, Celli said.
Possible charges are being submitted to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for several felonies including assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, brandishing a replica firearm in the presence of law enforcement, resisting law enforcement officers and threatening law enforcement in the performance of their duties.
