Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Press Release:
Suspicious person assaulted Deputies and attempted to flee by carjacking a motorist.
On 10/4/2012 at 6:26 pm, two deputies from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Guerneville Substation were dispatched to the 17400 block of Armstrong Woods Road in Guerneville for a suspicious person. The reporting parties stated the individual was a white male who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, was agitated, pacing and talking to himself.
Deputies contacted suspect Todd Franczak (35 years) who exhibited signs of being under the influence of illegal drugs. When deputies tried to arrest Franczak, a violent confrontation occurred, with both the deputies being assaulted. The deputies used a taser, but it did not affect Franczak and he fled on foot.
As deputies chased Franczak on foot, he stopped traffic on Armstrong Woods Road and got into the vehicle of a passing motorist. Franczak ordered the driver to leave the area. When the driver would not comply, Franczak placed him in a one-armed choke hold and demanded he drive away.
The deputies entered the victim's car and were able to remove Franczak. Another violent confrontation took place in the middle of Armstrong Woods Road and the deputies were able to ultimately take him into custody.
Franczak was transported to a local Hospital by ambulance where he was admitted for issues related to his drug use.
Franczak is a transient with no known address.
After being medically cleared, Franczak was booked at Sonoma County Jail for being under the influence of drugs (misdemeanor), Obstructing a Peace Officer with Violence (two counts, felony), Assault with a Deadly Weapon (felony), Assault on a Peace Officer (two counts, felony), Attempted Car Jacking (felony), and Attempted Kidnapping (felony). He is currently being held on $150,000.00 bail.
