Cops: Dixon Man Arrested For Threats, False Imprisonment Of Roommates

SOLANO COUNTY, CA -- A Dixon man who allegedly pointed a rifle at his roommates, threatened to kill them and then cut off power to their shared residence was taken into custody by Solano County sheriff's personnel following an hours-long search Monday, sheriff's officials said.

Authorities say the man's two roommates called 911 early Monday morning and reported they were hiding inside their residence in the 7000 block of Batavia Road.

"The frightened victims told dispatch the gunman, 39-year-old Phillip Westley Powers, was their roommate and thought he was under the influence of methamphetamine," Solano County sheriff's officials said in a statement.

Dispatch was told that Powers "had just pointed a rifle and made threats to kill them all;" had cut their home's electricity; and was walking around outside the residence with his "rifle drawn attempting to make entry," sheriff's officials said.

As deputies arrived on scene, Powers' roommates reported that he had just driven off in an unknown vehicle.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew responded to help search for Powers.

Officials said the search went on for two hours until a 911 call was received, reporting that Powers had returned to the residence.

"Prior to deputies' arrival, Powers drove through nearby orchards with his headlights off in an attempt to not be found," officials said. "Deputies circulated the entire area for an additional hour before they located Powers driving a vehicle with no headlights on near the residence."

Officials said despite a tense situation, deputies safely removed Powers from the vehicle -- recovering two .22 caliber rounds from the car but not the suspected rifle.

Powers was placed under arrest on suspicion of two counts of false imprisonment, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of being a felon in possession of ammunition, two counts of threatening to kill or cause great bodily injury and two counts of brandishing a firearm in a rude and threatening manner, sheriff's officials said.

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