How to resolve AdBlock issue? Clearlake Police arrest suspect in series of burglaries
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Early Thursday Clearlake Police officers arrested a Clearlake man who they believe is responsible for burglarizing several city businesses this week, and for previous incidents in 2012 and 2013.
Michael Matthew Jenson, 21, was arrested at around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, according to police.
The investigation that led to Jenson's Thursday arrest began this week, according to Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
On Monday at 12:16 a.m. Clearlake Police officers responded to an alarm at Radio Shack, located at 14915 Olympic Drive, Joseph said.
When officers arrived it was discovered that someone had smashed a window to the front of the business and had stolen two computers. Joseph said the subject who committed the burglary was not identified and managed to flee with the stolen property.
Several hours later, just before 6 a.m., officers were dispatched to a report of a “glass break” alarm sounding at Lakeshore Sports, located at 14913 Lakeshore Drive, Joseph said.
Officers arrived to find a broken glass window at the front of the business. Joseph said almost $900 worth of laser gun sights, knives and flashlights had been stolen in the burglary.
Video surveillance was obtained from the business documenting the crime. Joseph said a lone male subject was seen in the surveillance video committing the crime, but at that point was not positively identified.
Then, just after 3 a.m. Thursday, Clearlake Police officers responded to another “glass break” alarm at Lakeshore Sports, according to Joseph.
When officers arrived on scene within less than a minute of the call, they discovered another window smash. However, the window remained intact, which Joseph said indicated that the suspect had not made entry into the business.
Video surveillance of the crime showed a subject trying to break the window with a large chunk of asphalt, but leaving the area just prior to police arriving on scene. Joseph said the subject in this latest crime appeared to be the same suspect from the previous burglary at the business on Monday.
While officers were on scene investigating the incident at Lakeshore Sports, another “glass break” alarm came in from Radio Shack at around 4:08 a.m., Joseph said.
Joseph said officers arrived on scene within a minute of the call and discovered another window smash to the front of the business, with the area of smashed glass large enough for a person to enter. Officers immediately began conducting an area check for the suspect.
Within a short period of time, Officer Andrew Adams and Officer Trevor Franklin located a male subject prowling around the back side of Rite-Aid, located at 15025 Olympic Drive. The subject was in possession of a couple of laptop computers and other items, Joseph said.
Joseph said the male subject – later identified as Jenson – fled from officers on foot, leaving property behind. After a short foot pursuit, Adams and Franklin took Jenson into custody. Jenson was uncooperative with officers.
The two laptop computers, a Sony PlayStation 3, a cellular phone and an iPhone screen repair kit were found in Jenson's possession. All of this property was determined to have been stolen from Radio Shack and valued at nearly $1,000, Joseph said.
Video surveillance obtained from Radio Shack implicated Jenson in the latest burglary, Joseph said. Additionally Jenson was identified as the responsible in the two earlier burglaries at Lakeshore Sports.
Jenson was arrested on three counts of commercial burglary for the Radio Shack and Lakeshore Sports incidents, prowling at Rite-Aid, obstruction, possession of stolen property and felony two no bail warrants, one of the warrants being for burglary, Joseph said.
Jenson was booked into the Lake County Jail and is being held without bail, according to jail records.
Joseph said that Jenson had been arrested on Feb. 3, 2013, for a burglary at Lakeshore Sports that had occurred two days earlier.
During the arrest and booking process at that time, Jenson also admitted to committing a burglary to Xsite Motorsports, located at 14883 Lakeshore Drive, on Sept. 26, 2012, Joseph said.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Lake County Peace Officers Association to host sheriff candidates’ debate April 8
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Peace Officers Association is set to host a debate for the Lake County sheriff's race on Tuesday, April 8.
The association has invited the three current sheriff candidates – Bob Chalk, Brian Martin and incumbent Frank Rivero – to meet for a debate at Kelseyville High School.
Any other candidate to enter the race by the March 7 deadline also will be invited to participate in the debate.
The debate format will be questions submitted by the community, presented by moderator Mark Brannigan, with time for rebuttal or clarification from the candidates.
Questions may be submitted prior the night of the event by submitting them to
Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the debate starting at 6 p.m. sharp.
Attendance will be limited to approximately 200 people, so please plan on getting to the event early to insure you receive a seat.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Police seek man who failed to turn himself in for sentencing in rape, burglary case
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man who pleaded guilty in a case involving rape and burglary and was due to be sentenced has failed to turn himself in to authorities, and police are asking the community for help in locating him.
Douglas Scott Rupert, 40, has an outstanding warrant for burglary and sexual battery on an unlawfully restrained person, according to Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Hobbs.
Hobbs said the warrant for Rupert stems from a burglary and rape investigation the Clearlake Police Department began last July 27, with Rupert identified as the suspect in the case.
Rupert recently pleaded guilty in the case, however Hobbs said Rupert failed to turn himself in for sentencing. The Lake County Superior Court subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Rupert on Jan. 28.
The Clearlake Police Department has so far received little accurate information about Rupert's whereabouts, and Hobbs said police believe friends and family members have been helping Rupert hide.
On Wednesday, the Clearlake Police Department received information that Rupert was possibly staying in Clearlake Oaks and was headed back to Clearlake to obtain a firearm, according to Hobbs.
Hobbs said the Clearlake Police Department also has received information from several sources that Rupert has said he will not allow law enforcement to arrest him.
Police are hoping that, by seeking the public's help, Rupert's arrest can be expedited, Hobbs said.
Rupert, also known as “Dough Boy,” is 6 feet tall, weighs 175 pounds, has brown hair and hazel eyes, according to the description offered by police.
Hobbs said Rupert is considered to be armed and dangerous, and members of the public should not attempt to apprehend or detain him.
Anyone with information about Rupert’s location is asked to immediately contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Clearlake Police Department honors couple for donation to K9 unit
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Earlier this month the Clearlake Police Department offered a public show of thanks to Clearlake residents who made a large donation to the department's K9 unit.
Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen thanked Dale and Karen Valentine for their $5,000 to the department's K9 program during the Clearlake City Council's Feb. 13 meeting.
Officer Mike Ray and his K9 partner Harley also joined in thanking the Valentines for their contribution.
Harley and Ray make up one of the three dog-and-officer teams in the unit. The rest of the members are Officer Mike Carpenter and Dex, and Officer Elvis Cook and Max. All three of the dogs are Belgian Malinois.
The program operates solely on donations from the community, with funds also raised from T-shirt and sweatshirt sales and special fundraisers like last Friday's “Tip-A-Dog” event at Main Street Bar and Grill.
For more information visit the K9 unit's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CPDK9 .
Email Denise Rockenstein at
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- Written by: Denise Rockenstein
Clearlake Police Department honors outstanding members
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen recently recognized outstanding members of his department, naming support staff, volunteer and officer of the year.
Clausen presented each recipient with a plaque commemorating the selection, which is made by all members of the department, at the Clearlake City Council meeting on Feb. 13.
Animal Control Officer Lee Lambert was named "Support Staff of the Year" for the second time.
Clausen said Lambert has been employed by the city for a number of years, holding several different positions. Lambert has served the city as a code enforcement officer and building inspector as well as being the city's "dog catcher."
"The reason the program works is because of Lee and his connections with the community," Clausen said.
"Volunteer of the Year" honors were received by Don Treble, who has volunteered his services since 2008.
Clausen said Treble has volunteered 2,361 hours, assisting with everything from community events to various incidents.
He said Treble also performs the department's sex offender registration compliance checks and serves the majority of the department's subpoenas.
Bobi Jo Thompson was named "Officer of the Year." Clausen commended her for being a team player and for her willingness to assist other officers, as well as taking on additional duties and patrol shifts.
Thompson has been with the department since May 2012.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
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- Written by: Denise Rockenstein
