How to resolve AdBlock issue? Update: Police continue search for escaped attempted murder suspect
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Police officers were working through the night in their effort to locate a Lakeport man who allegedly tried to shoot another person during a Friday evening fight.
Raymond Richard Casillas, 22, of Lakeport, remained at large early Saturday morning, according to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.
Rasmussen said Casillas is wanted for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating parole.
Casillas allegedly was involved in a fight that Rasmussen said occurred in the area of Central Park Avenue and Shady Oak Street.
Rasmussen said Lakeport Police units, assisted by units from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol, were dispatched at approximately 7:30 p.m. to the Central Park and Shady Oak area on the report of a physical fight involving 10 subjects.
As officers and deputies were en route, dispatch advised that several callers were reporting hearing gunfire, Rasmussen said.
When Lakeport Police, CHP and sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene they immediately detained numerous subjects – including Casillas – and began an investigation, Rasmussen said.
Casillas was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car, Rasmussen said.
Investigators determined that Casillas had attempted to shoot another subject several times during the fight. Rasmussen said the alleged victim was able to push the firearm away and escaped unharmed.
Rasmussen said officers located the firearm Casillas is alleged to have used during the fight, a loaded modified rifle, and other associated evidence, at a residence in the 800 block of Central Park Avenue.
A knife also was found in the driveway, Rasmussen said.
A witness told Lake County News that canned tomatoes were being thrown throughout the fight.
Rasmussen confirmed that police collected canned food and beer cans allegedly used during the fight.
“We have collected numerous items of evidence,” he said.
At around 8:45 p.m., while the investigation was still ongoing and officers were interviewing people at the scene, Casillas escaped with the assistance of a female subject identified Dana Rochelle Hueners, 21, of Lakeport, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said Hueners was located in the area a short time later by CHP and arrested for being an accessory to a felony and assisting in an escape from custody.
She was taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital to be checked out for injuries she received in the fight before being taken to the Lake County Jail for booking, according to Rasmussen.
Casillas is an American Indian adult, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 169 pounds, with long black hair worn in a pony tail and brown eyes.
Rasmussen said Casillas was dressed in gray shorts, a light-colored shirt and a black hooded sweatshirt. He also had a bleeding lip from the fight and was handcuffed behind his back when last seen by police.
“We have some belief that he could have been picked up and transported to the Redwood Valley or Ukiah area,” Rasmussen said, adding that Hueners may have made phone calls to arrange a ride for Casillas out of county.
The public is asked not to contact Casillas if located, but to immediately call 911 and report the information to the police.
Rasmussen said police are continuing to work the case throughout the night.
Anyone with information about the fight – including pictures or video – can contact the Lakeport Police Department at
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Police seek suspect in Friday night Lakeport fight; wanted for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon
THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is asking for the community's help in finding a male suspect involved in a fight Friday evening in which shots were allegedly fired.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said his officers are looking for Raymond Casillas, 22.
He is wanted for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, a felon in possession of a firearm and violating parole, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said Casillas allegedly was involved in a fight that occurred at about 7:30 p.m. in the area of Central Park Avenue and Shady Oak Street.
Lakeport Police officers – assisted by the California Highway Patrol – arrived on the scene and detained several suspects after witnesses reported shots were fired, Rasmussen said.
Police also located a firearm, according to Rasmussen.
Casillas was detained but despite being handcuffed he escaped on foot, Rasmussen said.
That's because a female subject – who later was arrested – helped him get out of a patrol car when officers were not nearby, according to Rasmussen.
“She was located by CHP units who were assisting us close to the area of the crime,” said Rasmussen.
Rasmussen described Casillas as an American Indian male adult, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, 169 pounds, with long black hair that he was wearing in a pony tail.
He also was wearing gray shorts, a light-colored shirt and a black hoodie, Rasmussen said.
Casillas had a bleeding lip and was handcuffed with his hands behind his back, according to Rasmussen.
Immediately after the fight police believed Casillas was somewhere between 11th Street to the north or Sixth Street to the south, and between Highway 29 to the west and Forbes Street to the east.
Rasmussen said eight police units were in the area conducting a search.
“We don't have a confirmed perimeter around him,” said Rasmussen.
As the night progressed, police received a report of Casillas near the library, but Rasmussen said they were unable to locate him.
“At this point he could still be in Lakeport but we believe he may have been transported out of the area,” said Rasmussen.
He said Casillas may have been picked up and taken to Redwood Valley or Ukiah, and suggested that the woman who helped Casillas get out of the car may have made phone calls to get him a ride.
If he's seen, do not approach him but call 911 immediately.
John Jensen contributed to this report.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Sheriff's Marine Patrol Unit to take part in 'Operation Dry Water'
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit will be participating in Operation Dry Water this coming weekend, with Marine Patrol deputies out in force specifically looking for signs of boaters operating boats while impaired.
Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the United States Coast Guard and has been a highly successful effort to draw public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol and drugs, the sheriff's office reported.
Held in June just prior to the July 4 holiday, Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.
Operation Dry Water is coordinated by NASBLA, in partnership with the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies.
In 2011, all 50 states and 6 U.S. Territories participated in Operation Dry Water. Over that three-day weekend there were 43,777 vessels and 97,648 boaters contacted by law enforcement, 325 BUI arrests made, and 4,370 citations and 8,763 warnings issued for safety violations.
U.S. Coast Guard 2011 data reveal that alcohol was a primary contributing factor in 16 percent of fatalities from recreational boating accidents, the sheriff's office reported.
Operating a boat with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is against federal law and California State laws.
Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.
Sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion – “stressors” common to the boating environment – intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.
Alcohol consumption can result in an inner ear disturbance that can make it impossible for a person suddenly immersed in water to distinguish up from down.
Impairment can be even more dangerous for boaters than for motor vehicle drivers, since most boaters have less experience and confidence operating a boat than they do driving a car. Boaters average only about 110 hours of boating per year.
A three-year field evaluation by the Southern California Research Institute, completed in 2010, validated a battery of tests for marine use that are now the basis for efforts to implement a National Marine Field Sobriety Test standard.
Combined with chemical tests using blood, breath, and urine samples, these validated ashore and afloat tests give marine law enforcement officers an impressive arsenal in their ongoing efforts to enforce BUI laws.
Persons found to be boating under the influence can expect to incur severe penalties. If a boat operator is BUI, the voyage may be terminated, the boat may be impounded and the operator may be arrested. Penalties vary by state, but can include fines, jail, loss of boating privileges, even loss of driving privileges.
Alcohol is also dangerous for passengers. Intoxication can lead to slips, falls overboard and other dangerous accidents.
It is illegal in every state and territory to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. BUI laws pertain to all boats, from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships.
While boating, it's important to observe other basic safety precautions, including wearing a life jacket.
In 2011, 70 percent of those who died in a boating accident drowned; 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket.
Boat operator instruction is a significant factor in avoiding and surviving accidents. Only 11 percent of fatalities in 2011 occurred on boats where the operator was known to have received boating safety instruction.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Clearlake Police Department plans June 22 'Tip-A-Cop' fundraiser for K9 program
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is holding a “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser this Friday, June 22, to support its K9 program.
The benefit event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Main Street Bar and Grill, 14084 Lakeshore Drive.
During the event, officers and volunteers from the Clearlake Police Department will be taking food orders, serving food, busing tables and answering questions about the police departments K-9 Program.
There also will be K-9 Supporter shirts available for purchase at the event.
All tips and proceeds from the event will go directly to the K-9 program as the program is funded 100-percent by donations.
No city funds are used to fund the Police K-9 Program, which includes any training courses, maintaining or feeding the police dogs, purchasing any K-9 equipment or the police K-9 itself.
The Clearlake Police Departments K-9 Program started in 2010 when Officer Michael Carpenter was appointed to K-9 handler and received his new K-9 Partner “Dex.”
To date, Officer Carpenter and Dex completed the five week K-9 Handler Course, and are currently in the five week Narcotics Detection Course.
In 2012, Officer Michael Ray was selected to the position of K-9 Handler after an intensive testing process.
A candidate police dog has been selected and Officer Ray and that dog will be attending the K-9 Handler Course at the end of this month.
Upon completing the handler course, Officer Ray and the candidate Police K-9 dog will go straight to the streets. Officer Ray and his police dog will attend the 2013 Narcotics Detection Course.
On average, a five week K-9 Training course for an officer and his K-9 partner costs approximately $8,000, the department reported. This covers the cost of the training class, lodging, meals and transportation expenses.
With the addition of the second police dog, this allows there to be two police dogs on duty in the city of Clearlake seven days a week. Both police dogs will be able to apprehend violent offenders, search and locate violent fleeing offenders and conduct article searches.
With Officer Carpenter and Dex completing the Narcotics Detection Course, this will mean the city will have a drug detecting dog on duty.
Officer Carpenter and Dex will be called on upon to assist in searches when narcotics are believed to be concealed in vehicles, residences, or on probation and parole searches.
The Clearlake Police Department and the officers of the K-9 Program offered their thanks to Sam Polo from Main Street Bar & Grill for his and his staff's continued support to the department.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Police offer details on early Sunday morning assault
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department said it is investigating an early morning assault that has left a Clearlake man seriously injured.
Edward Alden, 44, was the victim of the incident, according to a report from Sgt. Nick Bennett.
Bennett said Clearlake Police officers reported to 4780 West 40th Ave. at 12:27 a.m. Sunday on the report of an injured person.
Early morning radio reports indicated that Lake County Fire Protection District also responded to the scene along with Clearlake Police, with Alden reported to have been unconscious due to being kicked in the head.
Bennett said the police investigation revealed that Alden had been involved in a physical altercation earlier in the evening.
Alden received severe injuries during the altercation, Bennett said, and was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
A REACH air ambulance picked Alden up at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake and left for Santa Rosa shortly before 1 a.m., according to radio reports.
Clearlake Police Detective Tim Alvarado responded to the scene and took over the investigation, Bennett said.
No additional details on Alden's condition were immediately available.
Clearlake Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Det. Alvarado at 707 994-8251.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
