How to resolve AdBlock issue? Police investigate case involving stolen, forged checks; suspect sought
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An arrest warrant has been issued for a Clearlake man who police detectives have identified as the suspect in a check theft and forgery case.
John Clemons, 43, is being sought in the case, according to Detective Sgt. Nick Bennett of the Clearlake Police Department.
In June the Clearlake Police Department was contacted by the Petaluma Police Department with regard to an investigation of stolen funds, according to Bennett.
Bennett said the funds were stolen by way of checks missing from a residence in Petaluma and deposited into a bank in Clearlake.
The investigation was assigned to Det. Mark Barnes, who contacted Petaluma Police Department, the victim of the stolen funds and the bank in which the stolen and forged checks were deposited, Bennett said.
Bennett said Barnes identified the person who deposited the forged checks into the bank as Clemons.
Based on the evidence obtained by Barnes and Det. Ryan Peterson, police sought and obtained from a Lake County Superior Court judge a search warrant for Clemons' residence as well as a warrant for his arrest for two counts of felony forgery. Bennett said the bail on the arrest warrant was set at $15,000.
On Tuesday Clearlake Police officers and detectives served the search warrant at Clemons' residence, Bennett said.
During the execution of the search warrant, a handgun and ammunition were seized. Bennett said the presence of those items in the residence occupied by Clemons is unlawful due to his status as a convicted felon.
Additionally, other ammunition not matching the weapon was located in the residence and is concerning to the department in that there is a possibility Clemons may be armed, Bennett said.
Bennett said additional charges will be sought against Clemons through the District Attorney's Office in reference to the weapons that police seized from the home on Tuesday.
Two canines also were seized pursuant to an additional search warrant for two “potentially dangerous” dogs that Bennett said Clemons has been concealing from Clearlake Animal Control.
Clemons was not present at the time the search warrant was served at his residence, Bennett said.
Bennett said Clemons called the police department while the warrant was being served but declined to come down and discuss the case with officers.
Anyone with information concerning this case is encouraged to contact Det. Barnes at 707-994-8251, Extension 311.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Sheriff's office identifies female inmate who died at Lake County Jail
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of a female inmate who died at the Lake County Jail on Sunday.
The female inmate who died was identified as Elizabeth Dara Gaunt, 56, of Santa Rosa, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Gaunt, who was alone in a holding cell, was found unresponsive on Sunday afternoon by correctional staff during a routine cell check, Brooks said.
Brooks said correctional and medical staff were unable to revive her.
Both the Lake County District Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office are conducting investigations into the death, Brooks said.
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Sheriff's office: Rocky fire crosses highway, second evacuation order issued for Spring Valley, Double Eagle Ranch
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – With the Rocky fire having crossed Highway 20 on Monday afternoon, the Lake County Sheriff's Office early on Monday evening issued a second mandatory evacuation order for the Spring Valley and Double Eagle Ranch communities.
The two communities, located off Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks, previously had been included in a mandatory evacuation order issued over the weekend that covered the Highway 20 corridor from Highway 53 to Walker Ridge Road, as Lake County News has reported.
But on Monday the sheriff's office again made efforts to get any residents of those communities who hadn't already left to evacuate.
A report from Lt. Steve Brooks said the Rocky fire – which last was reported to be 60,000 acres and 12-percent contained – had progressed, crossing from the south to the north side of Highway 20, where several spot fires were burning.
Brooks said if the spot fires continue to grow, they will threaten Spring Valley and Double Eagle Ranch.
Sheriff Brian Martin told Lake County News that his deputies were going to make a final pass through Spring Valley on Monday in an attempt to get any remaining residents to leave.
Radio traffic early Monday evening indicated that Cal Fire was attempting to shift more resources to the area of the spot fires.
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Retired police chief, wife seriously hurt in Saturday night motorcycle wreck
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Clearlake's retired police chief and his wife suffered major injuries on Saturday night when the motorcycle they were riding went off Highway 175 and hit a tree.
Bob and Marsha Chalk, both age 61 of Kelseyville, were injured in the wreck, family and friends confirmed.
The crash occurred at 9:25 p.m. on Highway 175 at Salmina Road in the Cobb area, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Chalks had ridden their 2010 Harley Davidson trike up to Italian Village to have dinner with a group of friends, among them, Cathlene and Jeff Smith.
Cathlene Smith told Lake County News that the group had a wonderful evening together, and then the Chalks headed home to Kelseyville.
Bob Chalk was driving the bike northbound on Highway 175 approaching Salmina Road at an unknown speed when – for reasons still to be determined – the motorcycle veered off the north road edge and crashed into a tree, the CHP said.
Both of the Chalks – who were wearing helmets and using safety equipment – were ejected from the motorcycle, the CHP said.
The CHP said neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factors in the crash, and Smith emphasized that alcohol wasn't an issue, as Bob Chalk wasn't drinking at the dinner.
The Chalks were flown in separate air ambulances to Vacaville Medical Center, where they were reported to be in the intensive care unit, the couple's son, Ryan James, told Lake County News.
“They're both stable right now,” he said Sunday evening.
James has been at the hospital along with his sister, brother and other family members, and said the family has received an outpouring of contacts from friends offering support and prayers.
“We don’t know really exactly what happened,” said James, who on Sunday hadn't yet been able to speak with the CHP. “We're just trying to let the doctors do their thing.”
He said both of his parents have numerous injuries, including head trauma, with Marsha Chalk also sustaining numerous broken bones.
The next day or two will be important in the process of their recovery, said James.
James said the family will try to provide updates about his parents' conditions as they're able.
“It's still a lot to take in,” he said. “It's been really tough.”
Bob Chalk retired from his post as Clearlake Police chief in 2006, after nearly 14 years on the job and with a total of 32 years of law enforcement service. Last year he ran for Lake County sheriff's job.
The CHP said Officer John Geer is leading the crash investigation.
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Sheriff's office: Potential for new Rocky fire evacuations east of Clearlake Oaks
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office said late Thursday that it is advising residents in an area east of Clearlake Oaks that evacuations may become necessary due to the Rocky Fire.
The Rocky Fire is currently moving in a northern direction towards Highway 20 and has the potential to reach the highway sometime on Friday, authorities said.
As of Thursday night, the fire had burned 13,500 acres and was 5-percent contained, Cal Fire reported.
The sheriff’s office, with the assistance of allied agencies, is currently advising residents located in the area of the fire danger.
The area where the fire could reach and possibly cross the highway is located between New Long Valley Road and the Double Eagle housing development, which is located east of Clearlake Oaks.
At this time the sheriff’s office is issuing an advisory to prepare residents for the possibility of a mandatory evacuation.
Officials are asking residents to gather their medications, pets and important papers, and be prepared to evacuate with little notice.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will update the public as the fire continues to move towards Highway 20.
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