By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
“Beware, beware, beware of the naked man,” songwriter Randy Newman sang in1974. “He’s running hard down the street.”
The following story doesn’t concern a naked man, just a man who was dressed to the not-quite-bare minimum.
According to the Orland Police Department log, at about 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, Orland police officers responded to Sixth Street (Highway 99) at Almond Way for a “report of a man wearing only underwear and socks, walking in the roadway and yelling at passing vehicles. Officers contacted David Hance, 41, of Orland, who displayed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. After further investigation, Hance was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting or delaying a police officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hance was booked into the Glenn County Jail.”
However, the OPD log item left out a detail or two. For example, according to police scanner broadcasts, Hance became aggressive towards the responding officers and a Taser was deployed.
Hance was said to be briefly unconscious and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene. Hance was also taken to Glenn Medical Center for clearance before being booked into the jail.
According to the jail’s booking report, David Allen Hance, 47, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail at about 11:59 a.m. He was charged with allegedly using or being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and obstructing or resisting a public service officer (all misdemeanors). His bail was set at $0.
Another comment heard on the scanner that day was that Hance is on “the arson registry.” A little research found the following:
According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s logs, at about 10:08 a.m. on February 3, 2023, Tammy Turner contacted the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office to report a man by the name of David had assaulted her adult son and set her vehicle on fire. Deputy Chavez responded to the area of 4620 Highway 99. Deputy Chavez contacted Turner and learned David Hance poured gasoline on her 1986 Nissan and ignited the seat. Hance was located and placed under arrest.
While in the back of a patrol vehicle, Hance used a hidden handcuff key to escape from the handcuffs. Hance was re-secured in handcuffs and transported to the Glenn County Jail for booking. Glenn County Communication later reported that Hance had a local warrant and he was booked on the warrant as well.
According to the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office reports for May 12, 2023, David Allen Hance was convicted of arson, resisting or obstructing a public service officer, and battery (all misdemeanors). He was also found guilty of violation of probation, and battery with serious bodily injury (both felonies). He was sentenced to three years in state prison and probation was terminated.
The Glenn County Observer 