Police arrest man for brandishing knife at local park

– On Monday, Sept. 2, at 3:06 p.m., San Luis Obispo Police officers responded to a report of a man brandishing a large knife in the parking lot of a restaurant on the 300 block of Madonna Road. The suspect, identified as Samuel Stokes, 30, a transient of San Luis Obispo, fled across Madonna Road and into Laguna Lake Park when officers arrived.

Laguna Lake Park was crowded with families and children at the time. Officers established a perimeter as Stokes continued to wave the knife aggressively and threaten both officers and parkgoers. Stokes attempted to run toward areas where children were present while swinging the knife and yelling. Officers deployed less-lethal projectiles, which were ineffective. Eventually, officers surrounded Stokes and persuaded him to drop the knife. When they attempted to arrest him, he resisted but was ultimately taken into custody. Neither Stokes nor the arresting officers were injured.

Stokes was transported to San Luis Obispo County Jail and booked on the following charges:

• Felony brandishing a weapon (PC 417(a)(1))
• Felony resisting an officer with force or violence (PC 69)
• Misdemeanor being under the influence of a controlled substance (H&S 11550(a))
• Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia (H&S 11364(a))

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information is urged to contact the Watch Commander at (805) 781-7312.