Two Arrested After Threats Made Involving Replica Firearms 

October 22, 2025 – Sonora Police Department officials report that 19-year-old Zach R. Doyle of Sonora and 19-year-old Jacob A. Zwicker of Twain Harte were arrested on Monday following an altercation that escalated to brandishing what was later determined to be a replica firearm.

Just before 12:30 p.m. on Monday, October 20th, the Sonora Police Department received a 911 call from a subject stating a male subject had brandished a firearm and threatened to kill him in the parking lot of the Washington Street Post Office. The caller described the responsible subject to our 911 dispatchers, who immediately sent officers to the scene.

Officers arrived on scene and saw Zwicker matching the given description, along with another subject, later identified as Doyle. SPD officers initiated a high-risk contact with the men due to the reported activity involving a firearm.

The investigation that followed led to the discovery of two very realistic-looking BB guns designed to replicate Glock semiautomatic pistols in Doyl's backpack.

The victim told officers that Zwicker approached him and began questioning him about an incident the victim knew nothing about. When the victim told Zwicker to leave him alone, Zwicker lifted his shirt, exposing a tan-colored replica firearm at his waistline, and threatened to kill the victim. It was also learned by officers that, following the incident, Doyle put the replica firearm in his backpack before the arrival of police because he knew Zwicker was on searchable probation for weapons charges.

Zwicker was booked at Dambacher Detention Facility for misdemeanor charges of brandishing a replica firearm and a violation of probation. Doyle was booked for a misdemeanor violation of concealing evidence of a crime.

Although only replica firearms were involved, this incident was a tense situation as it's very difficult to distinguish them from real firearms, even for trained officers.

It's important to remember that the individuals mentioned in this report were arrested based on suspicion of the crimes they've been charged with. All such charges are mere allegations, and all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Source & photos: Sonora Police Department