A well-known North Bay conservationist says she was unjustly arrested and manhandled on Wednesday while doing the volunteer duties she’s been doing for years. Myrna Hayes, 70, of Vallejo, was arrested at Mare Island’s San Pablo Bay Trail on Wednesday during her nightly routine of locking the gates to the trail. “I’ve been locking this gate. I go 3/4 of a mile on the gravel road every night, going on 17 years,” Hayes said. Vallejo police say they had received a call from a City of Vallejo Public Works employee reporting suspicious activity at the preserve that night. They say the employee who called was assigned to perform standard evening checks, including securing the perimeter gates after closing hours and inspecting the grounds for signs of vandalism of theft. That’s when police say he saw a vehicle containing a driver and a passenger that “were unauthorized to be on the premises.” Police say the employee gave the VPD Communications Division “detailed descriptions of both the individuals and their vehicle.” Police say responding officers found a vehicle matching the description in the area. Before attempting a traffic stop, authorities say the vehicle pulled over abruptly, and the driver “immediately exited the car to approach the police vehicle.” Hayes says she initially didn’t realize they were police and was trying to clear the park before locking it. Police say they tried to detain the driver, who “refused to comply with basic commands”. They said the driver remained non-compliant despite continuous requests from officers to control her movements, which led to her arrest. “That’s when he physically grabbed me and handcuffed me,” Hayes said. “I know that he took me another time and smashed me against his car.” Hayes says the encounter left her with a bruised eye, swollen legs and body pains. Three patrols cars and six officers responded to the scene. Hayes was taken to jail, where she spent 12 hours before being released Thursday morning. Hayes says she’s baffled and angry. “I’ve never been in jail. I’ve never been touched by a police officer. I’ve never been charged with anything other than a speeding ticket in college,” she said. Civil Rights Attorney Melissa Nold believes the police response is bizarre, adding a 70-year-old unarmed woman didn’t warrant this kind of escalation. “Everyone knows Myrna, everybody loves Myrna. She’s a kind soul,” Nold said. “You’re supposed to take the path of least resistance, not go turbo charge when you’re dealing with a 70-year-old woman who’s been out here serving our community for decades.” Hayes has been serving as the unpaid caretaker and tour guide for Mare Island shoreline for three decades and was even featured on NBC Bay Area’s “Bay Area Proud” for being a steward of the wetlands. She says the encounter with the police has left her shaken.    Vallejo police said, “Follow-up investigation verified that neither the driver nor the passenger were city employees, and had no legal authority or operational responsibility at the preserve after hours.” ...read more read less