It was a quiet Halloween night for area law enforcement, with the exception of two unrelated arrests.

One Auburn man was arrested for allegedly defacing the Auburn gateway sign, another for fighting with a police officer.

Ronald Daniel, 28, of Auburn was apprehended around 3 p.m. shortly after a citizen reported a man, fitting his description, painting graffiti on the newly erected tower on Interstate 80 near the Ophir exit.

"We found him in the area upon our arrival," said Officer Stan Hamlin, of the Auburn Police Department.

He said a pentagram, the number 666 and the words "turn back" were spray-painted on the rustic-looking tower.

Daniel was being held on $20,000 bail in the Placer County Jail on

suspicion of vandalism.

Across town, California Highway Patrol officer Steve Wright became embroiled in a battle with an allegedly drunk man.

Kelly Baraga, spokeswoman for the Newcastle CHP office, said Wright was responding to a car crash at Highway 49 and Lonestar around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

William Nicholson, 41, of Auburn, was reportedly seen "challenging" passersby to a fight.

"He showed signs of alcohol and was refusing to cooperate with Officer Wright," Baraga said. "He challenged (Wright) to a fight."

Wright used his pepper spray to subdue the suspect, however Nicholson came back swinging, Baraga said.

Nicholson was eventually taken into custody with the assistance of an off duty Sacramento Sheriff deputy who was in the area.

Nicholson was booked into the Placer County Jail on suspicion of assault on a peace officer and driving under the influence of alcohol. He is being held on $10,000 bail.

The Journal's Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment on auburnjournal.com.