CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested early Wednesday morning in connection with an incident on Christmas night involving gunfire in a neighborhood that struck a home.
Ivan Rodriguez, 20, was arrested for resisting arrest, participating in a criminal street gang, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a controlled substance while armed and shooting at an inhabited dwelling, according to Sgt. Nick Bennett of the Clearlake Police Department.
Bennett reported that at approximately 11:42 p.m. on Christmas Clearlake police officers responded to a report of several gun shots being fired in the area of Lilac Street and Olympic Drive.
He said that one resident who resided on Olympic Drive reported her home had been struck by a bullet.
Sgt. Rodd Joseph was in the area when the call was received and was immediately joined by Officer Bobi Thompson and Officer Tomas Riley, Bennett said. Locating the residence that had been struck by a projectile, the officers were able to follow the trajectory of the round and determined it had originated from a neighboring residence.
The officers then located a bullet hole in a window screen in the neighboring residence which matched the trajectory toward the victims’ residence. Bennett said the officers made entry into the home and made contact with the occupants.
One occupant, later identified as Ivan Rodriguez, was lying on a mattress covered with a blanket. Officers noted expended cartridges on the floor next to the mattress, Bennett said.
When the officers began to remove the blanket from Rodriguez, he immediately began fighting with the officers. Bennett said the officers observed a revolver under his body and it appeared he was making an attempt to reach for it.
The officers finally gained control of the weapon and completed the arrest of Ivan Rodriguez after subduing him. Also arrested in the residence was Martin Rodriguez, believed to be a cousin of Ivan Rodriguez, Bennett said.
While inside the Lilac Street residence officers observed numerous items associated with the possession and sales of illegal substances as well as what appeared to be methamphetamine, according to Bennett.
Detectives prepared and executed a search warrant on the residence which had been signed by a Lake County Superior Court judge. Bennett said several items were taken as evidence.
Ivan Rodriguez was being held on a no bail hold due to a probation violation, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court on Friday.