At around 12:30 on Thursday, February 6th, Santa Clarita Sheriff Station deputies identified a suspect at the Via Princessa Metrolink station who was wanted on suspicion of making criminal threats. Not wanting to be caught, the suspect fled at the sight of police and led them on a foot chase through the Santa Clara Riverbed.
Less than an hour later, the suspect was apprehended without incident. During the pursuit, a nearby school was put on hold. However, the hold was lifted a short time later and there was no imminent threat to the school from the suspect or anyone else.
Criminal threats are covered under California Penal Code 422 PC and are described as making threats of death or great bodily injury, thereby putting the recipient into a reasonable and sustained fear for themselves or their families.
A suspect can be charged with violating 422 PC even if they lack the ability to carry out the threat, or if they don’t seriously intend to carry it out. Simply making the threat and putting the victim in a state of reasonable and sustained fear is enough to be charged and possibly convicted. The threats can be conveyed in a variety of ways, including verbally, electronically (email, telephone, computer, recording, fax, pager, or text message), or in writing.
The crime of making criminal threats is known as a “wobbler,” which can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the case and the defendant’s prior criminal history.
If charged as a misdemeanor, the potential penalties include up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Felony charges carry much stiffer penalties. They include 16 months to 3 years in California state prison, with an additional year possible if a dangerous weapon was used, and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
It’s unknown whether the suspect in this case is being charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
