Crescent City Police Department: 

On Friday at about 8:30 p.m. hours CCPD Officers were dispatched to a report of a disturbance in the area of Crescent Elk Elementary. 

Antione Pillsbury. | Del Norte County Sheriff's Office

While checking the area Officer Tyler Balch was approached by Antione Pillsbury (age 20) who then threatened Officer Balch and came towards him with his fists clinched.

Officer Balch radioed for assistance and Pillsbury then ran from Officer Balch. Pillsbury then pulled a knife out of his pocket. The knife was a folding style pocket knife, but Pillsbury had the blade portion extended and locked out. The knife fell to the ground as Officer Balch continued pursuit, until he caught up with Pillsbury behind China Hut.

Officer Pearson then arrived on scene and attempted to take Pillsbury into custody while Officer Balch held him at TASER point. Pillsbury fought Officer Pearson and tried to take his gun out of the holster during the struggle. 

Officer Pearson was able to break away from Pillsbury and then Officer Balch deployed his TASER, which had no effect on Pillsbury. Officer Pearson and Officer Balch were then able to gain physical control of Pillsbury and he was finally taken into custody with the assistance of the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol.

Even after being handcuffed Pillsbury continued to struggle with officers, spit on them and attempted to kick them.

Pillsbury was medically cleared at Sutter Coast Hospital prior to being booked at the DNSO jail for PC 664/187, PC 69, and PC 148(d).

Officer Balch also received medical treatment for injuries sustained during the foot pursuit and struggle, and although he is expected to make a full recovery, he was unable to finish the remainder of his shift. Chief Richard Griffin

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