How to resolve AdBlock issue? Police K9 apprehends man who burglarized doctor's office
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A police K9 caught a Clearlake man this week who was attempting to flee from officers after a burglary.
Patrick James Potter, 21, was arrested early Tuesday, according to Clearlake Police Lt. Tim Celli.
Just after 7 a.m. that day Clearlake Police were notified that a subject wearing dark-colored clothing had just smashed the window at Dr. Elizares' optometrist office, located at 3610 Old Highway 53, Celli said.
Celli said officers Travis Parson and Travis Lenz responded to the possible burglary in progress, with Lenz accompanied by his K9 partner “Dex.”
When officers arrived to the scene they observed a shattered window and additional evidence that a burglary had just occurred, Celli said. While officers checked the area, Parson observed a subject later identified as Potter running away from the scene.
Officers gave numerous commands for the subject to stop, however, Celli said Potter ignored their commands and continued to flee.
Potter led officers on a foot chase through residential yards and over fences, and continued to ignore commands to stop, which Celli said led to Lenz deploying Dex to apprehend Potter.
Celli said Potter jumped over a barbed wire fence – apparently to evade capture – which caused Dex to get tangled in the fence. Lenz untangled Dex from the fence while Potter continued to flee, ignoring commands to stop.
Once untangled from the barbed wire fence, Dex was again released to apprehend Potter, who was unable to avoid the dog, Celli said.
Potter was taken into custody without further incident after Dex bit him in the buttocks, according to Celli.
Celli said Dex suffered only minor scrapes from the fence.
During subsequent interviews with Potter he admitted that he committed the burglary and items stolen by him during the burglary were recovered, Celli said.
Celli said Potter stated he had run from police in Sonoma County before and had gotten away and believed he could do the same this time.
Potter also told police that although he heard the announcements regarding the release of the K9 he thought he could outrun the dog, Celli said.
After receiving treatment for his injuries suffered during his apprehension by Dex, Potter was transported and booked in the Lake County Jail for burglary and vandalism, and an outstanding Sonoma County warrant for theft and vandalism, Celli said.
Potter remained in custody on Friday, with a no-bail hold for the Sonoma County warrant, according to jail records.
Celli said the Clearlake Police Department thanked the reporting party for calling, which led to the apprehension of Potter – who otherwise may have gotten away with the crime.
“In partnership with the community we can make a difference,” Celli said.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Police search for suspect in Clearlake shooting
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police are looking for a Clearlake Oaks man who they say took part in a Wednesday night shooting that seriously injured another man.
Tyler Koho, 27, is wanted in connection to the crime, and is said to be armed and dangerous, according to Sgt. Nick Bennett of the Clearlake Police Department.
Just after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday Clearlake Police were dispatched to the 4000 block of Old Highway 53 on a report of a male with a gunshot wound to his stomach, Bennett said.
On arrival officers located a 20-year-old victim on the front porch of a residence with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen, according to Bennett.
Bennett said the victim was transported by air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
The police investigation revealed the victim was confronted at the front door of his residence, possibly by two individuals, and shot as he stood in his doorway, Bennett said.
One suspect has been identified as Koho, who Bennett said on Thursday morning was still outstanding and being actively sought by law enforcement.
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.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Police seek community's help in identifying suspects in rash of Lakeport vandalism cases
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is asking for the community's assistance in tracking down the individuals responsible for a number of vandalism cases across the city that have resulted in thousands of dollars' worth of damage.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said the incidents, which began late last month, have resulted in damage to the Lakeport Library, the Pet Country store, Clear Lake High School and traffic signs on a city street.
The latest vandalism incident occurred late Tuesday or early Wednesday, when subjects completely smashed out a glass door at the Lakeport Library, Rasmussen said.
He said police believe that this crime is related to four other incidents of smashed windows and glass doors at both the Lakeport Library and the Pet Country store between Feb. 27 and March 11.
Rasmussen said the other similar incidents that also happened during the night or early morning included the following:
– Feb. 27: Glass door smashed at Lakeport Library.
– Feb. 27: Glass door smashed at Pet Country.
– March 6: Window broken at Lakeport Library.
– March 9: Glass door smashed at Pet Country.
In addition to these cases, Rasmussen said there have been other vandalism incidents during the same time span but it is currently unknown if they have any relation to the Lakeport Library and Pet Country incidents.
He said the additional incidents include:
– March 1: An unknown driver completely smashed three center roadway reflective pedestrian crossing signs on N. Forbes Street in front of the courthouse. This act is believed to be vandalism and not accidental.
– March 2: Unknown persons pulled a palm tree from the ground and broke a metal halide light fixture at Clear Lake High School.
Rasmussen said he does not yet have final damage totals for all of the incidents, but based on early estimates it's believed that there has been at least $4,000 in damage to both public and private property.
“It is very unfortunate that we have persons out there who are getting pleasure out of destroying public and private property and costing public agencies, citizens and business thousands of dollars that now have to be diverted from other important budget resources that are meant to provide important services to the community,” Rasmussen said.
Police are hopeful that someone in the community has information that could help them identify the suspects in these crimes so that they can be held accountable, Rasmussen said.
“We will be continuing this investigation in order to identify the suspects,” he added.
If anyone has information regarding these crimes they're asked to call the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491 or send a private message to the agency through its Facebook account at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lakeport-Police-Department/176101292414821 .
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
First Clearlake Police Citizen Academy class completes training
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Citizen Academy has completed its first class and already is looking ahead to hosting more of the trainings.
For the last month the Clearlake Police Department has hosted the academy, which began Feb. 4, according to Lt. Tim Celli.
The class was made up of current volunteers as well as citizens from within the city of Clearlake and nearby areas of the county, Celli said.
During the course, citizens were exposed to information specific to the Clearlake Police Department as well as information universal to law enforcement in California, Celli said.
Celli said that citizens and current volunteers who attended the academy received at least 24 hours of training in various laws, procedures, report writing, crime scene investigation, radio communications, patrol procedures as well as information from Clearlake Animal Control.
Some participated in a ride-along with an officer and at least one attendee has completed a sit-along with a dispatcher, according to Celli.
At the completion of the training, Celli said four attendees have decided to join the Volunteers in Policing, or VIPs, program and continue on with additional training.
The department congratulated academy certificate recipients Elin Vonrekowski, Jim Hopkins, Bill Mcintyre, Fred Gaul, Ruth Gaul, Wanda Celli, Jeaneen Dean, Ross Bartoe, Melinda Wymer, Mark Burger, Tina Viramontes, Marie Weathers and Dorothy Turner.
Celli said this was the first citizen academy the Clearlake Police Department has done and staff believes it was a success.
“The feedback received from attendees was very positive and we look forward to doing more academies in the future,” Celli said.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Sheriff offers appreciation to tribe for assistance in murder investigation
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week Sheriff Brian Martin showed his appreciation to the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Konocti Vista Casino for their help in a murder case.
On Thursday Martin presented the tribe and its casino with a certificate of appreciation for its assistance in providing information which led to the arrest of Finley resident Salvador Guzman for the murder of his cousin, Manuel Guzman.
At 10:15 p.m. Feb. 8, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Stone Drive near Scully Packing Co. in Finley for a report of a male – later identified as Manuel Guzman – lying outside of a vehicle, officials reported.
Detectives discovered that the victim had left Konocti Vista Casino in his vehicle at 9:15 p.m.
With the assistance of casino personnel, detectives were able to develop a suspect and the suspect’s vehicle description.
The suspect was identified as Salvador Guzman, Manuel Guzman's cousin, and arrested for murder on Feb. 9 at approximately 4:15 p.m.
“The assistance provided by Konocti Vista Casino security personnel enabled our investigators to quickly identify the suspect and gather pertinent information surrounding the circumstances of the crime,” Sheriff Martin said. “I very much appreciate their efforts in making our communities safer, and expect that our cooperative relationships will continue for years to come.”
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
