Police seek information on lost dog

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is asking the public's assistance in locating a lost companion dog for an elderly female shut-in. 

“Muffet” ran away last Thursday from the area of Fourth and Brush streets, according to Sgt. Gary Basor.

The elderly female attempts to look for the dog at night when it has been cold, putting herself in danger, as she gets lost easily, Basor said.

Muffet is a small, light-colored Shih Tzu.

If Muffet is located, please call Bob at 707-349-2707.

Clearlake Police investigation uncovers hundreds of identity theft victims, leads to woman's arrest

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A case that began with a Clearlake woman's attempt to pass a forged check has resulted in her arrest and led investigators to discover evidence of hundreds of identity theft victims.

Clearlake Police Sgt. Travis Lenz said officers arrested Kelly Rae Morales, 37, of Clearlake, on a host of felony charges related to forgery and identity theft.

At 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Clearlake Police Officer Michael Dietrick was contacted by Lakeport Police Officer Jason Fisher, who was investigating Morales on allegations of attempting to cash a forged check at A-1 Check Cashing in Lakeport, according to Lenz's report.

Lenz said Officer Fisher requested Officer Dietrick attempt to contact Morales in regard to his investigation.

Dietrick had prior contacts with Morales and was aware of her current address in the 3600 block of Sycamore Street in Clearlake, Lenz said.

Lenz said Dietrick responded to Morales’ address and, once on scene, discovered a vehicle which had been previously reported stolen through the Clearlake Police Department, parked in the driveway. Dietrick requested additional units to the scene at that time to assist him.

While Dietrick was awaiting the arrival of other units, Clearlake resident William Darnell Shaw II, 32,  exited the residence. Lenz said Dietrick had Shaw walk to his location and detained him in handcuffs at that time, due to the stolen vehicle being located in the driveway.

After Dietrick detained Shaw, Morales exited the residence and Dietrick detained her and placed her in handcuffs as well, Lenz said.

During a search of Shaw’s person, Dietrick found crack cocaine packaged for the purpose of sales, in 59 individual bags. Lenz said the total weight of the cocaine was in excess of 34 grams, having an approximate street value of $1,100.  

When asked, Morales consented to a search of her residence by officers. Lenz said additional Clearlake Police officers arrived on scene and searched the residence.

During a search of the house, multiple people were located inside. Lenz said one of the subjects contacted was Clearlake resident, Rocky Rayfield. A records check of Rayfield revealed an outstanding warrant for possession of narcotics.

Officers also located numerous items during the detailed search which linked Morales to forgery, manufacturing false checks, possession of identification to commit forgery and manufacturing false identification which was used to commit fraud, Lenz said.

In addition to those items, Lenz said the forged check which Morales attempted to cash in Lakeport Police Department’s investigation was located, and in Morales’ bedroom officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

When questioned, Morales admitted to possessing the located evidence for the purposes of fraud and identity theft, Lenz said.

Lenz said Dietrick's investigation has led to the identification of more than 600 victims of identity theft.

Morales was booked into the Lake County Jail on charges of forgery, manufacturing false checks, possession of identification to commit forgery, identity theft, identity theft with prior convictions, forging an official seal, possession of false checks, manufacturing false identification, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia, Lenz said.

Her bail was set at $15,000 and she is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 9, according to her booking sheet. Jail records show she has posted the required portion of bail and been released.

Shaw was booked into the Lake County Jail on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purposes of sales, with bail set at $25,000. He also is due to appear in court on Feb. 9, and has since posted bail and been released, according to jail records.

Rocky Rayfield was released at the scene on a citation for his warrant, Lenz said.

Lenz said the investigation is ongoing and has been turned over to the Clearlake Police Department Investigation Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this case can contact Det. Elvis Cook at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.

Police investigate Clearlake double shooting

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Authorities are investigating an early Monday morning shooting that injured two people and which appears to have been connected to marijuana.

Just after 5:30 a.m. Monday Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to the 15900 Block of 20th Avenue for a report of an unknown type of disturbance, according to Sgt. Martin Snyder.

Snyder said the reporting party was a Spanish-speaking female who asked for officers to respond but was unable to identify why police presence was requested.

Officers arrived on scene and discovered that there were two shooting victims who had left the residence and went to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for treatment. Snyder said officers responded to the hospital and located a male and female who were both victims of apparent gunshot wounds.

The victims were a male and female, both Clearlake residents. Due to the nature of the incident their identification is being withheld for safety reasons, Snyder said.

The female victim had a gunshot wound to the arm and the male had a gunshot wound to his face. The female's injuries were treated at S. Helena Hospital Clearlake and she was later released, according to Snyder.

Snyder said the male shooting victim was transported via air ambulance to a trauma hospital in Sonoma County for medical treatment as his injuries were more severe. As of Wednesday afternoon, the male was in stable condition.

The female victim advised two unknown masked males had broken into the residence by kicking open the front door. They identified themselves as being from an out-of-county law enforcement agency, Snyder said.

He said the victims advised that the two male subjects attempted to assault them while they were inside the residence near the rear bedroom. During a struggle the subjects shot through the bedroom entry door, injuring the two victims.

Snyder said the two masked subjects fled the scene in what witnesses believed was a smaller vehicle, possibly a Honda accord or Honda Civic with modified exhaust.

The two subjects were described by the victims as black males. The female victim reported that both were wearing ski masks and gloves to conceal their identity, Snyder said.

Snyder said that, at this time, there is minimal suspect information.

He said the residence and scene of the shooting were secured and a search warrant was obtained for the property.

Detectives with the Clearlake Police Department were on scene for several hours processing the crime scene. The residence was then turned back over to family members later Monday evening, Snyder said.

During the processing of the scene there were several indicators of large scale marijuana production occurring on the property, Snyder reported.

Snyder said the victims were unable to identify a motive but investigators believed it was regarding marijuana cultivation or related activities which were occurring on the property.

Any person with information in relation to this case is encouraged to contact Det. Ryan Peterson at the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251, Extension 320.
 
The Clearlake Police Department encourages citizens to be vigilant to subjects impersonating police officers at their residences.

Snyder said citizens can ask the officers to produce identification as to their law enforcement credentials or call the local law enforcement agency to verify the contact.