Jones | DNSO

From the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office:

On 04-17-2024 at around 6:30PM, Deputies from the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office responded to a stabbing that occurred at the 12500 block of S Indian Rd, Smith River, CA. Upon arriving on the scene, an unconscious adult male victim was discovered in a grassy area near several residences. He had been severely assaulted with a machete. Del Norte Ambulance and Smith River Fire Personnel attended to the victim, who was transported immediately to Sutter Coast Hospital.

Deputies interviewed multiple witnesses in the area and the suspect was identified as 45-year-old, Clifton Harold Jones. Witnesses reported Jones had fled to a nearby mountain identified near Prince Island, within about 500 yards from the scene.

Sheriff’s K9 Zuko was deployed after gaining a scent of the suspect. DNSO K9 Handler Deputy Brittain and Sergeant McClaflin proceeded up the mountain where K9 Zuko was used to further track Jones. Other Deputies were strategically placed in the area to prevent Jones from fleeing further.

At the mountain top K9 Zuko led the Deputies through thick brush and steep terrain. K9 Zuko located Jones hiding in a ravine and alerted to his presence by a “bark and hold.” Jones complied and was arrested. Jones was booked into the Del Norte County Jail on charges of 664/187 PC, Attempted Murder, 203 PC, Mayhem, 245 PC, Assault by Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Harm, and 3056 PC, Violating State Parole. The victim’s name in this case is confidential.

Message from Sheriff Scott: I am truly proud of the outstanding work Deputies conducted on this arrest. A very heartfelt thank you to K9 Zuko and Deputy Brittain for all of their hard work keeping up on training that helped lead to the tracking and arrest of a dangerous suspect. The teamwork that our Del Norte Sheriff’s Office Deputies established for this incident was outstanding.

SHARE →