Rural Resident Arrested After Standoff With Sonoma Co. SWAT

A 35-year-old man suspected of being armed with a rifle during a standoff with Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies early Saturday morning was arrested, a spokeswoman said.

A SWAT team served a search warrant at a home in the 43000 block of Brushy Ridge Loop in Annapolis, an unincorporated community in Sonoma County, around 5 a.m., Sonoma County sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha said.

The suspect, identified as Annapolis resident Zechariah Benjamin Schmidt, was hiding in the home, she said.

On Thursday and Friday, the Sheriff’s Office was notified that Schmidt “had become erratic” and people were worried for their safety, according to Focha. There were also reports that he was armed with a rifle and ammunition, she said.

An investigation into Schmidt determined that he grew up in the area, was an avid hunter and had extensive knowledge of the woods and back roads, she said.

He was also found to be resourceful, proficient in handling a rifle and could live in the forest and off the land, according to Focha.

There were times when Schmidt would not be seen for several days, she said. The SWAT team and deputies saw him inside the residence early Saturday wearing all camouflage clothing and armed with a rifle, Focha said.

The SWAT team called on Schmidt to surrender but he did not comply with their orders and stayed in the home, she said. He also taunted deputies, challenged authorities to shoot at him, and said he wouldn’t go to jail, according to Focha.

About an hour later, he stepped out of the home and entered the back porch where he was taken into custody, she said. Schmidt was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of resisting arrest, being a felon in possession of a firearm and the warrant, according to sheriff’s officials.

He is being held in lieu of $270,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday afternoon.

--Bay City News

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