The victim said she was subsequently able to calm him down, however he would not allow her to leave, he would periodically brandish the firearm at her and threaten to kill her.  She reported at one point she attempted to call law enforcement however her husband knocked the phone out of her hand damaging it.  The victim was subsequently able to leave the house and warn the neighbor who subsequently fled the area.  She then left the residence and went to the home of a friend wherein she notified law enforcement.  An Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy interviewed the victim, obtained an Emergency Protective Order restraining the offender from her, and then placed her in the Operation Care Safe House.  Amador County Sheriff’s Investigators drafted an arrest warrant for the suspect, Edwin Alex Torkelson Jr., 58, of River Pines and a search warrant for his residence at 23060 Cedar Lane, River Pines. 

The warrants were authorized by Amador Superior Court Judge Susan Harlan.  Based upon the totality of the circumstances which included the offender’s most recent actions (possession and use of a firearm), the threats made, his ongoing drug use, and the fact that approximately eight months prior a search warrant was served at his residence wherein seven firearms, a silencer and ammunition was recovered, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office activated the SWAT Team as well as El Dorado County Sheriff’s SWAT Team to secure the premise and make the arrest.  After securing the perimeter of the premise, an Amador County Sheriff’s Office Critical Incident Negotiator telephoned the residence and spoke with Torkelson.  Torkelson was notified of law enforcement’s presence and the warrants.  The negotiator requested Torkelson exit the residence.  Torkelson cooperated and exited the residence unarmed, wherein he was taken into custody without incident. A search of the residence was conducted.  Amador County Sheriff’s Investigators located the firearm described by the victim hidden in the kitchen and the ammunition for the firearm in concealed in a garbage can. Torkelson was booked at the Amador County Jail, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, false imprisonment, making criminal threats and use of a loaded firearm in the commission of a felony.  Torkelson’s bail was set at $150,000.00.