A very low number of calls for service were received by the sheriff's office that appeared to be related to Halloween activities, according to the report.

Lake County Sheriff's Detective Mike Curran, who also serves as an agent with the Region II Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, was on duty Halloween night.

Curran noted that there were no direct incidents reported to the sheriff's office involving anyone with a history of inappropriate contact with children on Halloween night.

The department received one inquiry regarding a concern about an individual on the south end of the county, which is being reviewed as to whether a non-sex crime criminal violation may or may not have occurred.

Curran's efforts are a part of the Lake County Sheriff's Office's ongoing efforts in conjunction with the SAFE Task Force to monitor registered sex offenders within the unincorporated communities within Lake County.

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Vacation checks are typically conducted in irregular intervals either by deputy sheriff's while on patrol, or by trained volunteers, according to a report from Chief Custody Officer Crystal Esberg.

The checks, according to Esberg, typically consist of residence checks to ensure the general perimeter, vehicles, storage buildings are secure.

While approved vacation checks are limited to reasonable blocks of time (does not run indefinitely), the department does require interested individuals to complete a basic information sheet about their property, Esberg reported.

The majority of the information requested involved the dates the home will need to be check, how to easily find and identify the residence, vehicles, alarms and pets, as well as contact information for family, neighbors and/or friends with responsibility for the property should something happen, according to Esberg.

For those interested in the vacation check service, call the Lake County Sheriff's Office Lower Lake Sub-Station at 707-994-6433 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon.

For questions about this or other services provided by the Lake County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Services Programs, call Esberg at 707-262-4200.

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Clearlake Police officers stand together after receiving their new badges. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

CLEARLAKE – Clearlake Police's officers received new badges in a Thursday ceremony that is meant to launch a new look and public image for the department. {sidebar id=19}

At the beginning of the Clearlake City Council meeting on Thursday, Oct. 25, 20 police officers filed into the council chambers for the ceremony, led by Police Chief Allan McClain.

McClain said over the past four months he has led his staff through a series of team building exercises, and has met with community members in order to get their input on how the department needs to improve.

“We want to look at this as a new beginning for the police department,” he said of the ceremony to give new badges to his officers.

The agency is moving forward with a new philosophy for addressing crime, community issues, and quality of life for residents and officers alike, said McClain.

“We want our men and women to be proud of who they are and what they represent,” said McClain.

With a view toward improved services and community involvement, Clearlake Police is working on gathering donations for a K-9 program, said McClain. The department also plans to start an Explorer Program for young people interested in law enforcement, with 25 young people so far saying they want to take part.

Other projects include a revamped policy and procedures manual to meet the department's new expectations and philosophy, said McCain, along with a new vision and mission statement. The latter, he added, formed with input from the community, including members of the Lake County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

McClain then called to the front Lt. Mike Hermann and Lt. Craig Clausen, both of whom were promoted to the new rank earlier this year.

McClain pinned badges on his two top officers and then they helped pin badges on other officers. Veteran officers also took turns pinning badges on their newer colleagues.

McClain said one of his newer officers if from Clearlake; recruiting people who want to make Clearlake and Lake County their home is a key to the department's new philosophy, he said.

In addition to his officers, McClain also recognized his dispatchers, code enforcement officers and evidence technicians.

Councilmembers thanked the officers for their service.

“Thank you very much for keeping us safe,” said Councilmember Joyce Overton.

Added Mayor Judy Thein, “I think this is a landmark evening for all of us here.”

McClain replied that his department appreciated the council's support.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Judlin Jean-Louis was arrested Thursday in connection with a Wednesday home invasion robbery. Jail booking photo.

CLEARLAKE – Police have arrested a suspect believed to be involved in a home invasion robbery that took place in the city Wednesday night.

As Lake County News first reported Thursday afternoon, Clearlake Police have been investigating a home invasion robbery that took place on 22nd Avenue at just after 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Lt. Mike Hermann of Clearlake Police reported that police arrested 29-year-old Judlin Jean-Louis at around 3:30 p.m. Thursday after serving a search warrant at his residence, located at 15990 43rd Ave.

Hermann said that Jean-Louis had been identified as one of three males that committed the robbery.

Two of the three suspects also were armed with handguns during the incident, said Hermann.

While they were at the home, Hermann said they bound two victims with duct tape and pistol whipped one of them in the head before fleeing in a vehicle with a quarter-pound of marijuana and several other unspecified personal items.

Hermann said Jean-Louis was eventually identified through a photo lineup and was found to be in possession of several stolen items from the victim's residence when the warrant was served.

According to the victims, they knew Jean-Louis and identified him as having been with the two other male adults who have not yet been identified, Hermann reported.

The other two suspects are described as black male adults, possibly in their early 20s, according to Hermann.

One of the suspects was described as being approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds, wearing a striped shirt and baggy pants, said Hermann. The victims described the suspect as having a "jerry curls" hairdo.

The second suspect also was approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds, with a light mustache and gray hat, said Hermann.

Police think there may also have been a fourth subject who waited outside in a white SUV-type vehicle. Hermann said this subject may have been seen at a later time with the vehicle and has been described as a black male adult, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds, with an earring in his left ear.

Hermann said that during an interview with police Jean-Louis admitted some involvement in the robbery.

Jean-Louis, a construction worker born in Montreal, Canada, was transported to the Lake County Jail and booked for armed robbery, burglary, false imprisonment, home invasion robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, Hermann reported.

Booking records showed no bond amount, and Jean-Louis remained in custody Thursday night.

The investigation is continuing, Hermann said, and detectives are working on identifying the other suspects involved in this case.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Tom Clements at 707-994-8251.

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Lt. Mike Hermann of Clearlake Police reported that at approximately 11:05 p.m. Wednesday three armed male suspects allegedly broke into the home, located in the 15700 block of 22^nd Avenue.

Taken from the home, said Hermann, was a quarter-pound of marijuana.

During the robbery, two people in the house were taped up with duct tape, Hermann said.

One of the robbery victims reported the male suspects “pistol whipped” him, according to Hermann's report.

The three men then fled the scene in a vehicle, said Hermann.

Detectives, said Hermann, are “diligently working” on the case right now,with Detective Sgt. Tom Clements overseeing the investigation.

Police have so far not released any further information, including suspect descriptions.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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The department invites all members of the community to the event, when Chief McClain will be making a presentation. It's also an opportunity to meet new officers who recently have begun working for the city.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m.; the short presentation will take place shortly thereafter.

The City Council meets at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

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