LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Willits man whose criminal record includes a murder conviction was arrested Saturday night for the armed robbery of a Lakeport motel.

Sidney Lewis Freeman, 25, was arrested late Saturday night, according to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said Lake County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 5:30 p.m. Saturday reporting an armed robbery of the Regency Inn motel office. 

The responsible subject was described as a Hispanic male adult, approximately 25 to 30 years old, wearing dark clothing with a bandanna covering his face and neck, Rasmussen said.

He said Lakeport Police officers and Lake County Sheriff's deputies immediately responded to the scene, with the first unit arriving within 30 seconds. 

Investigating officers were advised that two female juveniles and an adult female who were working at the office check in desk were robbed at knifepoint by the subject, who took cash from the register, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said the victims advised that the subject fled on foot toward the old Natural High School in the 800 block of N. Main Street.

Officers and deputies conducted a search of the surrounding area but did not locate the subject, and issued a “be on the lookout” for the suspect to Lake County law enforcement, Rasmussen said.

Lakeport Police Officers continued to investigate the case and at 8 p.m., while acting on leads, positively identified the man who robbed the motel as Freeman, according to Rasmussen.

He said officers also learned that he had a prior conviction for murder with a 19-year-to-life prison sentence that later was commuted. Freeman also has prior arrests for failing to appear, marijuana sales, battery, giving false information to a peace officer and probation violation. 

With the assistance of sheriff's deputies, Lakeport Police officers checked addresses outside of the city of Lakeport where Freeman had known associates but did not locate him. Rasmussen said officers also checked an address in the city of Lakeport where Freeman may have a connection but again did not locate him.

Rasmussen said his officers continued their investigation and at approximately 11 p.m. Saturday they determined that Freeman may be currently harbored by his girlfriend in a motel room at the Anchorage Inn, located just down the street from the Regency Inn.

Lakeport Police officers went to the Anchorage Inn and located both Freeman and his girlfriend, who was identified as Felicia Brooke Amparo, 25, of Lakeport, according to Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said Freeman was arrested for the felony crime of armed robbery. Amparo was arrested for harboring a fugitive from justice and active Lake County Superior Court warrants charging drunk driving, driving on a suspended license, battery and theft. 

Officers also have positively identified Freeman as the suspect in the Sept. 8 misdemeanor case of entering Campos Casuals in Lakeport with the intent to commit theft and larceny of more than $581 in merchandise, Rasmussen said.

Prior to Proposition 47 enacted in November 2014, this crime would have been a felony, said Rasmussen, who added that the Sept. 8 case also will be sent to the Lake County District Attorney's Office for review. 

Rasmussen thanked all of the officers and deputies involved in the case for their diligence and commitment to follow all leads to ensure that a dangerous suspect was taken off the street.