Landlord And Worker Arrested Following Dispute With Tenant In Railroad Flat

Railroad Flat, Ca — 31 year old Geoffrey Owens of Railroad Flat was injured last week after a worker at his apartment complex struck him with a large metal bar.

Owens told Calaveras County Sheriff´s deputies that he was taking pictures of his landlord´s employees working on a fence. Owens explained to deputies he believed the work being done was illegal, and was documenting the incident for County Code Compliance personnel.

61 year old David Chitwood of Railroad Flat told Owens to stop taking the photos, and was the one who then struck the victim with the metal bar. A witness to the incident reported to Sheriff´s deputies that she overheard Chitwood, and the landlord, 78 year old Dave Buller of Glencoe, discuss getting firearms and killing the occupants of the property.

Buller was arrested and charged with conspiracy. Chitwood was booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and conspiracy. Both posted bail, and have been released from custody.

Written by BJ Hansen