Sheriff's office reports on capture of suspect in Lucerne

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office released details on the Monday night capture of a Vallejo man who had been the subject of a daylong manhunt.


Johnny Colcleaser, 27, a parolee, was taken into custody just after 9 p.m. Monday, as Lake County News has reported.


Sheriff Rod Mitchell said the response to the Monday incident by sheriff's deputies and detectives, and particularly members of the California Highway Patrol and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, was “incredible.”


“It is obvious that the quick and cooperative response by law enforcement to contain Colcleaser in the area throughout the day, timely public notice of the suspect at large, and an alert community, all contributed to the arrest of the suspect,” Mitchell added.


Colcleaser, armed with a handgun had allegedly threatened to kill his cousin at a Ninth Avenue residence at around 9 a.m. Monday before sheriff's deputies arrived and chased him through nearby neighborhoods, according to Capt. James Bauman.


The CHP and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter also responded to assist with the search, Bauman said.


Bauman said sheriff's deputies continued the search for Colcleaser Monday night and at about 9 p.m. they received information that he was seen going into a residence on Fourth Avenue.


Deputies responded and while they were contacting a resident at the front door of the home, one deputy saw Colcleaser peeking at them from around a corner inside the home, according to the report.


Bauman said the deputies ordered Colcleaser to show his hands but instead he allegedly tried fleeing into a bedroom. A deputy quickly followed, managed to block the suspect’s attempts to slam the door closed, and took Colcleaser into custody without further incident.


Colcleaser was unarmed at the time of his arrest, Bauman said. Earlier in the day he had reportedly been in possession of a 9 millimeter handgun, and officials also had reported concerns that he might be in possession of an AK-47.


The home and property where Colcleaser was captured was searched for the handgun he was seen with earlier in the day but it could not be located and he denied any knowledge of a weapon, Bauman said.


It was later determined that Colcleaser had come to the home not knowing the resident, reportedly looking for a ride out of the county and a change of clothes as his were soaked. Bauman reported previously that on Monday deputies had recovered a 2002 Ford pickup reported stolen from San Pablo that Colcleaser is alleged to have driven to the county.


Colcleaser was booked at the Lake County Jail on felony weapons charges, violation of parole, and misdemeanor resisting arrest. He has a $10,000 bail however he is ineligible to bail out pending the parole hold, Bauman said.


Jail records indicate Colcleaser is set to appear in court on Wednesday.


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