2 Napa Men Arrested After Suspected DUI, Weapons Possession Near Homeless Shelter

Two Napa men were arrested late this week near the Napa homeless shelter on suspicion of DUI, disorderly conduct and weapons possession charges.

Donald James Oviatt, 60, and Christopher Martin Thomas, 52, were taken into custody at around 7 p.m. Thursday near the shelter at 575 Third St., Napa. Their arrest was posted on the Napa police log late Friday.

Police said officers were dispatched to the Winter Shelter, located at 575 Third Street, regarding a report of a possible DUI driver.  The reporting party advised dispatch that a man had possibly been drinking and had fallen down.

The man was now bleeding from his arm. The man was identified as a white male adult approximately 53 years old.  The man was also with a friend, who was also belligerent, drunk, and not cooperative, police said.

The two men walked to the Burnell Street gate and were attempting to leave in a silver Dodge Neon. An officer responded to this location and saw the Dodge Neon stopped at the light on Burnell Street at Soscol Avenue.

The officer immediately conducted a vehicle stop and contacted the driver, Oviatt, and the passenger, Thomas. Oviatt was bleeding from his arm and was intoxicated, police said. 

Oviatt was removed from his car and placed under arrest. A search of Oviatt allegedly resulted in officers finding a homemade blackjack (club) in his pants pocket.  Officers searched Oviatt’s vehicle and located a single 12-gauge shotgun round in the trunk. 

A records check on Oviatt allegedly revealed he was a convicted felon and is not to possess firearms or ammunition. Officers contacted Thomas, who was intoxicated, police said. He was arrested for being intoxicated in public.

After fire personnel provided medical aid to Oviatt for his injured arm, he and Thomas were transported and booked into Napa County Department of Corrections.