As reported yesterday on TSPN on December 8, 2006 an off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Ladd spotted Wages at the Wal-Mart. Officer Ladd then confirmed with the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch that Wages was wanted while he began following Wages from the Wal-Mart Store towards the parking lot. 

While waiting for warrant confirmation Officer Ladd followed Wages into the parking lot of K-Mart.  As they approached K-Mart Wages was aware he was being followed so he attempted to ward Officer Ladd off by making threats that he was armed and that he would shoot if he were pursued.  Wages then began to run and entered the K-Mart Store with Officer Ladd in foot pursuit.  At about this time members of the Amador County Sheriff's Office arrived on scene and began chasing Wages through the K-Mart Store.  A Sheriff’s Office Sergeant was able to grab Wages in the cosmetics section of K-Mart and detain until Officer Ladd arrived to assist.  Once detaining Wages a brief struggle ensued and Wages was forcibly taken to the ground and secured in handcuffs.

Wages was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant and the additional charges of 69 P.C. (Preventing an Executive Officer from performance of his duties) 422 P.C. (Criminal Terrorist Threats) and 148(a) (Resisting, obstructing or delaying arrest).  Joseph Lee Wages was subsequently booked into the Amador County Jail and his bail has been set at $150,000.00.