Hanexaysana Rattanavong, 35, of Middletown, Calif., was arrested on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, for vehicle theft, elder abuse and possession of stolen property. Lake County Jail photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department has arrested a Middletown man on vehicle theft and elder abuse charges in connection with an August case.

Hanexaysana Rattanavong, 35, was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 27, according to a report from Sgt. Martin Snyder.

On Aug. 23 Sgt. Rodd Joseph was dispatched to a report of a stolen motorcycle in the 15000 block of 33rd Avenue in Clearlake, Snyder said.

The victim reported that the suspect, who was only identified as “Hon,” asked to take a test ride on a 2001 Kawasaki motorcycle which the owner agreed to let him do, according to Snyder.

The suspect rode the motorcycle away and did not return to pay for the motorcycle in question, Snyder said. At that time “Hon” had not been identified.

During the investigation Joseph, with the victim's assistance, was able to identify “Hon” as Hanexaysana Rattanavong of Middletown, Snyder said.

He said the Outlook newspaper contacted Joseph and requested information regarding the theft which the publication later printed.

Over several days following the article's publication, several people contacted the Clearlake Police Department and reported that they were victims of various alleged crimes by Rattanavong. Snyder said the reporting parties did not wish to make police reports regarding the separate crimes but relayed information regarding the whereabouts of Rattanvong.

On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Rattanavong contacted Sgt. Rodd Joseph at the Clearlake Police Department, stating there was a misunderstanding and the property would be returned to the victim, according to Snyder's report.

The alleged victim later contacted the Clearlake Police Department and reported Rattanavong was on his property attempting to return the motorcycle, Snyder said.

Snyder said officers responded to the scene and Rattanavong was taken into custody for vehicle theft, elder abuse and possession of stolen property. Rattanavong was transported and booked into the Lake County Jail.

Jail records indicated he later posted his $10,000 bail and was released.

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