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Around 5 p.m. on Dec 3 , residents in West Menlo Park had to shelter-in place briefly after a man with several felony warrants fled the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. Now, a week after the initial incidents, new documents detail the efforts to apprehend the individual and his crimes.
Dublin resident Aidan Davis, 20, was arrested on March 4 after allegedly fleeing police after being caught with so-called “ghost guns.” At the time, an Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy saw Davis climbing a fence with a no trespassing sign near Fallon Road and Cydonia Court in Dublin, according to a report by The Mercury News.
For weeks, Davis had allegedly been building ghost guns at his home in Dublin on Newfields Lane.
When Deputy Zachary DeSouza attempted to search a bag Davis was carrying, DeSouza thought he felt a gun and Davis started resisting the deputy. The two then became entangled in a physical altercation on the ground.
“While on the ground, Davis ignored numerous lawful commands to ‘stop resisting’ and he continuously assaulted and punched Deputy DeSouza while attempting to access the cross-body bag. Davis was able to stand up and flee again on foot while reaching into the bag that was in his possession,” according to a probable cause statement obtained by The Mercury News.
“Despite fearing Davis was attempting to access a firearm with the intention of shooting Deputy DeSouza which could cause serious bodily injury and or death upon him, Deputy DeSouza continued to pursue Davis, at which time Davis threw the bag into a bush and continued running, ultimately eluding Deputy DeSouza,” the statement continued.
When the bag was eventually searched, police say they found body armor plates, an unserialized handgun and a silencer.
Davis also allegedly texted his mother to have her hide evidence. His mother, Sheila Taylor, was charged with felony accessory after the fact.
Davis was released but charged later that month for several felonies.
Later in March, prosecutors say a young girl came forward after learning of Davis’ arrest and accused him of “continuous sexual abuse” starting from she was 9 years old, The Mercury News reported.
A warrant was issued for Davis when he did not show up for court in July.
Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office declined to comment. The Dublin Police Department did not respond to requests for comment. The Alameda County Superior Court would only provide records in-person or via mail, which couldn’t be arranged in time to meet this news organization’s deadline.
Apprehension
Months later, on Dec. 2, according to court documents obtained by this news organization, the Sunnyvale Police Department was informed by the Alameda Sheriff’s Office that Davis may be residing in Sunnyvale.
After Davis’ car was located at 5 p.m. that day, the Sunnyvale Police Department obtained a warrant at 5:30 p.m. to install a “covert tracking device” on Davis’ car.
The following day, the Sunnyvale Police Department tracked Davis’ car to Mary Avenue and El Camino Real. When he stepped out of the vehicle at around 4 p.m., officers attempted to conduct a pedestrian stop. Davis allegedly fled and officers decided not to pursue due to traffic conditions.
Sunnyvale continued to track Davis through several stops in Santa Clara County. Sunnyvale police requested the assistance of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop Davis at the intersection of Leghorn Street and Independence Avenue but he allegedly fled at a high rate of speed.
After the second attempt to elude, the Sunnyvale Police Department decided to use a “tire deflation system” which is sometimes also called “stop sticks.”
When Davis eventually parked on Prospect Street, which is a cul de sac in Menlo Park, police officers set up the tire deflation system at the exit, which immediately deflated his front left tire after he allegedly attempted to flee again.
Since his vehicle was immobilized, he only was able to make it to Harrison Way. There, he abandoned his car and fled into the residential neighborhood.
Officers from the Sunnyvale Police Department, Menlo Park Police Department and Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office responded and attempted to locate Davis.
They first used two drones, however he was not spotted. Menlo Park does not have police drones and court documents do not specify what agency used them.
Police service dogs began to track Davis and quickly located him on the side yard of 20 Harrison Way behind foliage and garbage cans.
Court documents do not say when residents were asked to shelter in place but the Menlo Park Police Department told this news organization that residents were asked to stay inside for around 10 minutes. Two residents told this news organization they were told by police that there was concern Davis was armed. Menlo Park and Sunnyvale police did not confirm this. Court records indicate no firearm was found.
According to court documents, Davis told police he attempted to flee because he was scared and did not want to go to jail for his outstanding warrants.
He was charged in Santa Clara County for misdemeanor fleeing police and misdemeanor reckless driving. Jail records indicate he is being held in a Santa Clara County jail on a $330,000 bond.
