CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An arrest warrant has been issued for a Clearlake man who police detectives have identified as the suspect in a check theft and forgery case.
John Clemons, 43, is being sought in the case, according to Detective Sgt. Nick Bennett of the Clearlake Police Department.
In June the Clearlake Police Department was contacted by the Petaluma Police Department with regard to an investigation of stolen funds, according to Bennett.
Bennett said the funds were stolen by way of checks missing from a residence in Petaluma and deposited into a bank in Clearlake.
The investigation was assigned to Det. Mark Barnes, who contacted Petaluma Police Department, the victim of the stolen funds and the bank in which the stolen and forged checks were deposited, Bennett said.
Bennett said Barnes identified the person who deposited the forged checks into the bank as Clemons.
Based on the evidence obtained by Barnes and Det. Ryan Peterson, police sought and obtained from a Lake County Superior Court judge a search warrant for Clemons' residence as well as a warrant for his arrest for two counts of felony forgery. Bennett said the bail on the arrest warrant was set at $15,000.
On Tuesday Clearlake Police officers and detectives served the search warrant at Clemons' residence, Bennett said.
During the execution of the search warrant, a handgun and ammunition were seized. Bennett said the presence of those items in the residence occupied by Clemons is unlawful due to his status as a convicted felon.
Additionally, other ammunition not matching the weapon was located in the residence and is concerning to the department in that there is a possibility Clemons may be armed, Bennett said.
Bennett said additional charges will be sought against Clemons through the District Attorney's Office in reference to the weapons that police seized from the home on Tuesday.
Two canines also were seized pursuant to an additional search warrant for two “potentially dangerous” dogs that Bennett said Clemons has been concealing from Clearlake Animal Control.
Clemons was not present at the time the search warrant was served at his residence, Bennett said.
Bennett said Clemons called the police department while the warrant was being served but declined to come down and discuss the case with officers.
Anyone with information concerning this case is encouraged to contact Det. Barnes at 707-994-8251, Extension 311.
Police investigate case involving stolen, forged checks; suspect sought
- Lake County News reports
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