CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen commended two officers before the city council during its regular meeting on Thursday.
Clausen also introduced three new officers during his presentation.
Clausen commended Officer Bobi Jo Thompson and Det. Ryan Peterson for their outstanding contributions in a criminal case that ultimately extended into Mendocino County.
He said the case, assigned to Thompson, included a three-month investigation involving multiple thefts from an area retail store that were linked to a single suspect.
The suspect allegedly committed similar crimes at a retail store in Ukiah while brandishing a replica firearm, he said.
Clausen said Thompson was able form enough probable cause for a search warrant, which resulted in the discovery of evidence linking the suspect to crimes in Clearlake and Ukiah.
Additionally, Clausen said while out-of-county officers were unsuccessful in interrogating the suspect, Peterson was able to get a successful interview that included a confession, letter of apology and the location of the replica firearm.
“I will put our men and women up against anybody in the job they do,” Clausen said.
Those included in Clausen's introductions were new police officers Joseph Myers and Abigail Hernandez and animal control officer Jenny Toller.
Myers, who is from Kelseyville, is close to completing his training program; Hernandez comes from Southern California and is the first bilingual woman officer to join the department.
Toller, who is from the Clearlake area, is in a field training program and expected to be out on her own in about 60 days.
Email Denise Rockenstein at [email protected] .