On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Bandera Officers successfully executed an arrest warrant from Wisconsin on 40-year-old Harley Alcala, who had moved to Bandera from Duluth, Minnesota.
Investigators had located Alcala, staying in a travel trailer in the Wharton's Dock Area of Bandera. As Deputies approached, Alcala barricaded himself inside his trailer and threatened to shoot anyone present at the scene.
Bandera Officials decided to use chemical munitions to compel the suspect to surrender peacefully. Tear gas is used to disorient and incapacitate individuals without causing permanent harm. The plan worked and Deputies were successful in apprehending Alcala without further escalation or harm to anyone involved.
Alcala had been charged with making threats in May of 2023 toward a Chippewa County Judge (Wisconsin) and the courthouse as a whole. This week, he faced additional charges for making threats to law enforcement, issuing a computer message to threaten or injure, and bail jumping.
All these threats stemmed from a legal case involving the custody of Alcala's daughter. A guardianship hearing was scheduled for February 19th.
The successful execution of the arrest warrant on Alcala was made possible through regular communication and meticulous planning between the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office and the Bandera County Sheriff's Office. This collaboration ensured a coordinated effort aimed at ensuring the safety of all law enforcement officers involved in the mission.
Alcala will now be extradited to Wisconsin to face the charges against him.
