OAKHURST - On August 20, 2018, at approximately 10:30 am the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding an assault in the area of River Park Road in Oakhurst. A California Highway Patrol Officer was flagged down by a concerned citizen who observed a male in the area who was bleeding and appeared to be in need of medical treatment. The CHP Officer located an adult male victim with a stab wound that was bleeding heavily. Fire and EMS crews administered first aid to the 24 year old adult white male victim and transported him to a regional hospital for treatment.

According to both victim and witness statements, the assault occurred in a nearby apartment complex. A witness in the area observed a white male adult matching the suspect’s description walking back towards the same apartments. The suspect was identified as a tenant of the complex, 28 year old Dillon Westlake. Madera County Sheriff’s Deputies, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and California Highway Patrol Officers established and maintained a perimeter while the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) searched the building for the suspect.

Crisis Negotiators from the Sheriff’s Office attempted to make contact with the suspect while the QRT and K-9 unit made repetitive commands for his surrender. Westlake was discovered and contacted by K9 Gaston and several members of the QRT in an attic of one of the apartments. Westlake was taken into custody and evaluated by medical personnel on scene before being transported to a regional valley hospital for medical clearance.

Once medically cleared, Westlake was booked in at the Madera County DOC on charges of attempted murder. The incident remains under investigation. If anyone has information relating to this case, please contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 675-7770.