CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is seeking witnesses to a Sunday night stabbing that seriously injured a man.

Lt. Tim Celli said that at 4:50 a.m. Monday Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake for a reported stabbing victim.

When officers arrived, they were informed that the 23-year-old male victim, Troy Bailey, was brought into the hospital and was suffering from several apparent stab wounds, according to Celli.

Due to his injuries, Bailey was flown to an out-of-county hospital, Celli said.

Celli said officers were informed that Bailey was brought into the hospital by a female whose name is being withheld at this time.

Officers contacted the woman at the hospital to ascertain what happened. Celli said she told officers that she was at a separate party at around 11 p.m. Sunday when she had spoken to Bailey on the phone.

During her phone call with Bailey she overheard what sounded as though Bailey was in a verbal argument with someone. The female stated she went to the area where Bailey was and as she was pulling up, saw several subjects fighting in the street, Celli said.

Celli said the woman could not, or would not, identify the subjects or their ethnicity at that time. The female told officers she saw Bailey fall on the ground and saw that he was stabbed. She picked Bailey up off the ground and put him in her vehicle and drove him to the hospital.

The female was reportedly uncooperative with any further investigation at that time. Police were not given any further information and it was unclear where the incident took place or who was involved, Celli said.

Officers later developed other sources and information that led to possible suspect information. Some information is purposely withheld so as not to interfere with the ongoing investigation, Celli said.

Through investigation, Celli said police learned that Bailey was at a party at a residence located in the area of Walnut and Cottonwood Street. At some point during the party, Bailey and the suspect got into a verbal argument which led to a physical fight involving multiple suspects. During the fight, the suspect stabbed Bailey several times.

The latest information available on Bailey's condition was that he remained in intensive care in critical condition on Wednesday night, according to Celli.

Celli said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information related to this case is asked to contact the Clearlake Police Investigations Unit at 707-994-8251.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Law enforcement officials in Stockton helped the Clearlake Police Department apprehend two men wanted in connection to a Sunday noninjury shooting at the Clearlake McDonald's restaurant.

Clearlake Police Lt. Tim Celli said police arrested 19-year-old Clearlake resident Owen Mikel Valenzuela and his cousin, Stockton resident Tailor James Broman, 21, for the incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon.

At 1:30 p.m. Sunday a female subject was physically assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, identified as Valenzuela, Celli said.

At some point the two of them arrived at the McDonald’s restaurant, located at 15940 Dam Road Extension. Shortly thereafter Valenzuela left the area, leaving the female victim at McDonald’s, according to Celli.

Celli said a McDonald’s employee who was taking his break saw the female victim crying. He is friends with the victim and was consoling her while Valenzuela continued to call her on the phone, badgering and verbally abusing her.

Another male subject who also is a friend of the female victim arrived as well. The employee and friend were consoling her when Valenzuela returned with Broman, Celli said.

Around 2 p.m. a physical fight ensued with Valenzuela and the McDonald’s employee. At that point, Broman pulled out a handgun from his vehicle and fired one shot in the direction of the McDonald’s employee. Valenzuela and Broman then left the area, Celli said.

Celli said no one was hit by gunfire or injured during the incident.

Clearlake Police officers arrived at the scene, collected evidence and worked to identify the suspects.
Officers continued their investigation attempting to locate the two men, Celli said.

Through an emergency track on the phone of one of the suspects, Clearlake Police officers were able to determine the two men had fled out of the county. By tracking the phone, officers believed the suspects were returning to Broman’s residence in Stockton, Celli said.

Celli said Clearlake Police coordinated with Stockton Police as to the location of Broman's residence.

Stockton Police contacted the suspects as they arrived at a location and safely took both men into custody at approximately 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Celli said.

Stockton Police officers located a 9 millimeter handgun inside the suspect vehicle, according to Celli.

Celli said Stockton Police and Clearlake Police coordinated the transfer of the two suspects and the evidence collected from the vehicle.  Officers from the two agencies met in Woodland, where Clearlake's officers took custody of Valenzuela and Broman.

Both suspects were transported and later booked at the Lake County Jail, Celli said.

Valenzuela was booked for felony domestic violence and conspiracy. His booking sheet showed his bail was set at $25,000.

Celli said Broman was booked for various felony charges including, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder and negligent discharge of a firearm. His bail was set at $200,000, according to jail records.

Jail records showed both men have since posted bail and been released.

Celli said the names of the victims and witnesses involved in the incident are being purposely withheld. 

The Clearlake Police Department thanked the Stockton Police Department for its efforts and cooperation.

“Due to solid police work and outstanding cooperation, two dangerous suspects were safely taken into custody just a few hours after the incident and no one was injured,” Celli said.

Save

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Independence Day holiday kept Lakeport Police officers busy throughout the day on Monday, with officers responding to a nonfatal stabbing, illegal fireworks and lost person reports.

A heavy law enforcement presence was visible throughout the downtown, particularly Library Park, where the daylong event was centered, with a command center across the street in City Hall.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said his agency received assistance from the Clearlake Police Department, Lake County Probation and the Lake County Sheriff's Office in responding to the holiday calls.

The most serious incident on Monday was the stabbing, which Rasmussen said occurred at around 8:30 p.m.

He said officers responded to the area of the children's playground in Library Park to find a 43-year-old man with stab wounds.

The victim was stabbed three times in the head, neck and back, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said the wounds were not serious and the victim refused to be transported to the hospital by the Lakeport Fire Protection District.

Police arrested 21-year-old Lakeport resident Dominic Ezekiel Tovar for the stabbing, Rasmussen said.

“We recovered the knife that we believed was used,” said Rasmussen, adding that the knife was found in Tovar's possession.

Rasmussen said the stabbing occurred during a fight between the two men, who police believe knew each other before the incident.

Tovar was booked into the Lake County Jail early on Tuesday morning on a felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, with his bail set at $25,000. He's tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, according to booking records.

The other main calls that police responded to during the Monday festivities were for five separate individuals – four children and one senior with Alzheimer's – who got lost. Rasmussen said all five were located within minutes and reunited with their families.

Rasmussen said police also received a large volume of calls over the entire weekend and on Monday reporting illegal fireworks in the city. The city allows “safe and sane” fireworks on certain designated days, ending on July 4.

Late Monday a police volunteer brought into the command center what appeared to be a small square box of illegal fireworks, handing them off to Rasmussen, who said they didn't have the safe and sane label.

Rasmussen said he believed a strong police presence helped keep the holiday celebration in the city relatively calm.

At the same time, he noted that it appeared the crowds were slightly smaller this year, which could be a result of the holiday falling on Monday and people needing to return to work on Tuesday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – With the city of Clearlake's Independence Day celebration set for Saturday, the Clearlake Police Department is advising residents and visitor of precautions and rules to follow to keep the day safe and entertaining.

The day's events will include the Redbud Parade at 11 a.m., which leads from Redbud Park to Austin Park, where additional festivities are planned including a car show, the International Worm Races, vendors and other entertainment.

In the evening there will be a permitted fireworks show, set to begin at dusk, with police reporting that it's expected to be dark at around 8:40 p.m. Police urge people to give themselves plenty of time to arrive at the park to observe the show, taking into account limited parking and walking distances.    

Lt. Tim Celli of the Clearlake Police Department said the agency wants everyone to have fun and enjoy the holiday festivities in a safe responsible manner, and so he offered the following information.

Motorists are asked to use particular caution while driving, as there is anticipated to be an influx of visitors for the festivities.

There also will be added traffic enforcement throughout the event. Police ask the public to be mindful of speed limits, to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists and, if you’re going to consume alcohol, be responsible and do not drink and drive.

Also, citizens who are going to enjoy the city's parks should observe ordinances which are posted at park entrances.

A few reminders of important ordinances are as follows:

– There are no alcoholic beverages allowed in city parks. The only exception to this will be at Austin Park and only by the permitted vendor with an authorized wrist band.

– Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash.

– There are no glass containers allowed inside the park.

– There is no smoking inside the park area.

– Speed limits in parks are limited to 5 miles per hour.

– Nonpermitted fireworks are not allowed in the city of Clearlake. The county is still experiencing drought and the city is surrounded by extreme fire danger areas. Please do not risk the safety of others for a few thrills.

Other city ordinances can be found at the city of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us . 

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Over a four-day period the Clearlake Police Department arrested six people who they say were involved in illegal marijuana growing, seized approximately 2,664 marijuana plants and nine firearms, and discovered illegal insecticides.

Beginning on Friday, June 25, officers executed a search warrant in the 15300 block of 36th Avenue. A citizen called reporting theft of water and during the investigation an illegal commercial marijuana grow was located, police said.

The property was fenced and used for the sole purpose of marijuana production. There was a large "hoop style" structure which contained numerous growing marijuana plants. Additional marijuana was growing around the structure, and the agency said officers eradicated approximately 607 mature marijuana plants.

On Tuesday, June 27, officers executed two search warrants on Smith Lane, according to the report.

Police said the first warrant was for a property in the 2700 block of Smith Lane, which resulted in approximately 476 marijuana plants being eradicated and five firearms located.

Clearlake residents Consuelo Arroyo-Ramirez, 43, and 47-year-old Arturo Gomora-Hernandez were arrested for marijuana cultivation, possession of marijuana for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime, being armed while in the commission of a felony, child endangerment and possession of a large capacity magazine, police said.

During the investigation it was discovered that the two subjects owned additional properties in the county which contained illegal commercial marijuana grows. Additionally, U.S. currency was seized on scene pending an asset forfeiture proceedings along with seizure of numerous bank accounts, according to the report.

The second search warrant served on Tuesday was located in the 2800 block of Smith Lane, where approximately 90 marijuana plants were eradicated and 2 firearms located, police said.

Police arrested Arturo Maldonado, 29, and 22-year-old Brian Maldonado were arrested for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime and being armed while in the commission of a felony.

On Tuesday, June 28, police said officers executed a search warrant in the 3800 block of Hemlock Avenue where there were approximately 629 marijuana plants eradicated and two firearms located.

Alfredo Casanova and Pedro Chavarria, both age 22, were arrested for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime and being armed while in the commission of a felony, police said.

While conducting a search of the property, police located illegal insecticides inside the residence. These insecticides were illegally transported into California, possibly from Mexico, and there were signs they had been used at the property.

With assistance of the Lake County Fire Protection District the chemicals were safely collected for safe disposal, police said.

The Clearlake Police Department is working with several local and state agencies for proper criminal charging for possession and usage of illegal insecticides and environmental crimes.

On Wednesday, June 29, officers executed a search warrant in the 3000 block Old Highway 53, police said.

While police located no individuals at the residence, they found and eradicated approximately 862 marijuana plants.

Additionally, police said code enforcement responded to the scene as there was indications that liquid fertilizers were being injected into an irrigation system which was run by a local well.

Police said there were several possible environmental crimes code violations associated with system due to possible contamination of the local groundwater. This investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to call Det. Elvis Cook at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.