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Man arrested for attempted murder after struggle with deputies

Posted at 5:47 PM, Jan 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-12 22:02:36-05

A man refused to cooperate with authorities in Isla Vista, becoming combative and attempting to grab a gun of one of the deputies.

The Community Resource Deputy and Isla Vista Foot Patrol deputies were doing community outreach to the homeless population to provide information about shelter services due to the impending inclement weather expected.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, 32-year-old Drew Wohlenhaus became agitated when they contacted him about littering in Pelican Park.

“Deputies attempted to calm him down and get him to provide his name and date of birth for a citation,” the press release stated. “Wohlenhaus refused to cooperate with the citation and attempted to walk away from deputies. Deputies attempted to detain Wohlenhaus and he became combative. Wohlenhaus tackled one of the deputies and all subjects fell to the ground during the struggle.”

The press release went on to state during the struggle to arrest Wohlenhaus, he bit one of the deputies on the shoulder and kicked another in the face. Wohlenhaus grabbed the gun of one of the deputies and attempted to forcefully remove it from the holster. The deputy had to fight to maintain control of his gun as the other deputy deployed his taser in an effort to prevent further injury and gain control of Wohlenhaus.

Deputies injured did not require medical attention. Wohlenhaus was not injured.

Wohlenhaus was medically checked at the jail and a mental health request was made. Wohlenhaus was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for battery on two peace officers and attempted murder of a peace officer. Wohlenhaus is being held on one million dollars bail.