A Carmel man was arrested earlier this week after allegedly making threats to shoot and kill people during a series of phone calls with public safety personnel, prompting a big law enforcement response and a temporary road closure, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about construction activity near Carmel Valley Road and Carmel Middle School at 7:53 p.m. Thursday. During several subsequent calls, the caller became increasingly agitated and allegedly threatened to shoot and kill people.
The caller was identified as James Bodine, 45. He also claimed to have access to several firearms, including a high-powered rifle, the Sheriff’s Office alleged in a statement Friday.
Sheriff’s deputies requested help from the California Highway Patrol and Carmel Police Department as the situation escalated. Fire and emergency medical crews also responded, while a portion of Carmel Valley Road was closed and people in the immediate area were evacuated as a precaution.
Drones helped locate Bodine in vegetation near the construction area. Deputies contacted him and moved in to take him into custody. He physically resisted but was ultimately arrested before being taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies later found and seized a .22-caliber rifle from Bodine’s residence, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
After he was medically cleared, Bodine was booked into the Monterey County Jail on suspicion of criminal threats and resisting, delaying or obstructing a peace officer. His bail was set at $150,000.