Photo: Stock Image
Early on the evening of August 4th , a 911 Emergency call reporting “a possibly armed subject” making violent threats brought Ventura County Sheriff’s Department patrol units attached to the Thousand Oaks Patrol Station quickly to the scene at a Thousand Oaks residence.
According to VCSD spokesman Sgt. Jason Karol, the reporting party “was in fear for her life” pursuant to threats made by 23-year-old Thousand Oaks resident Michael Erickson, and had retreated to a rear bedroom in the residence, accompanied by three other inhabitants, including two minor children.
Deputies expediently converged on the premises and engaged with the reporting 55-year-old female victim. The deputies then facilitated the evacuation of the victim and the children as contingent of patrol deputies skilled in tactical negotiation established contact with Erickson via cell phone.
Responding to the entreaties of law enforcement, Erickson exited the residence under official directives, assuming a prone posture as instructed. He then paused, resumed a vertical stance, and retraced his steps toward the residence. Despite persistent admonitions not to resist and warnings of the imminent deployment of a K-9 unit, Erickson continued moving back toward the house. At that point, in order to remove the potential for things to devolve into a barricade situation involving the reported firearm in the home, the K-9 unit was dispatched. The canine successfully subdued Erickson, and he was promptly taken into custody, somewhat worse for wear.
The ensuing search of the residence led to the discovery of a loaded firearm, replicas of firearms, and a sword. After receiving medical attention for his wounds suffered in his contact with the K- 9 deputy, Ericson was transported to Ventura County Jail, where was booked on charges of criminal Threats, felony brandishing, and resisting arrest.
Ericson was released from custody four days later, as “the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges in this case.”
