A Modesto, California man who fired upon deputies Wednesday night in Dolan Springs was arrested Thursday afternoon, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s office. Agency spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said the ordeal began at 7:45 p.m. as deputies tried to contact Wendell Wayne Odom, 36, about a burglary investigation.
Mortensen said Odom slammed a door and hid behind furniture to gain separation from deputies at a two story residence in the 13000 block of N. Bullhead Road.
“Deputies began giving verbal commands for Odom to show his hands, and Odom shot at deputies with a firearm,” Mortensen said. None of the three shots struck deputies who retreated while awaiting support and the arrival of backup officers.
Authorities began combing the desert when it was discovered that Odom had fled the home. Dispatch began getting calls about 10:00 a.m. Thursday from people reporting a suspicious subject.
Mortensen said a perimeter was establishing in the area of the suspect sightings and deputies swept through several residences looking for Odom. She said a deputy spotted Odom at 2:10 p.m. running in the desert area of 3rd Street and Bullhead Road.
Law enforcement personnel converged on the area and took Odom into custody without further incident.
Mortensen said deputies learned that Odom had been living with a woman in an upstairs apartment of the building where the shots were fired Wednesday evening. The woman told investigators that she had been held against her will and assaulted in the days preceding the shooting.
