LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local authorities are working to identify the owners of stolen property recovered during an ongoing investigation into the activities of three local men, two of whom are in custody with the third being actively sought by law enforcement.
During the past two months the Lake County Sheriff’s Office became aware of several subjects in Lake County who were suspected of committing thefts, burglaries and drug sales in the county, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
Since becoming aware of these subjects, Brooks said the sheriff’s office has been conducting an extensive investigation that is a combined effort involving the agency's patrol, narcotics and investigations divisions.
As a result, Brooks said the sheriff’s office identified three suspects related to these crimes: 44-year-old Lonnie Ray Scott of Kelseyville; Michael Sean Shaffer, 31, of Upper Lake; and 28-year-old Jose Manuel Rodriguez Jr. of Kelseyville.
On Nov. 3 Scott was arrested by sheriff’s deputies following a vehicle pursuit that occurred on Sylar Lane in Kelseyville, where Scott rammed a sheriff’s vehicle, Brooks said.
Brooks said Scott was found in possession of 12 pounds of marijuana, a loaded handgun and several items of stolen property. Detectives were able to link the stolen property to two thefts reported in the Kelseyville area.
Scott remains in custody at the Lake County Jail, on a no-bail hold due to a felony bench warrant, according to jail records.
On Nov. 10, Shaffer was arrested by narcotics detectives during a probation search at a residence located on Riviera Heights Drive in Kelseyville, Brooks said.
Brooks said Shaffer was found in possession of a stolen vehicle, several items of stolen property and half an ounce of methamphetamine.
Detectives were able to link the stolen property to four separate thefts that were reported in the Nice and Upper Lake area, Brooks said.
Shaffer was released on bail related to these charges. Brooks said Shaffer is currently on active Post Release Community Supervision probation and has a no bail arrest warrant for violating conditions of that probation.
Shaffer was spotted by sheriff’s detectives in the Upper Lake area on Nov. 17 while conducting follow up regarding these cases. Brooks said Shaffer fled the area on a motorcycle and was not able to be located.
Anyone with information on Shaffer’s location is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 707-263-2690.
On Nov. 17, Rodriguez was arrested by the Lakeport Police Department following a vehicle pursuit with police officers, as Lake County News has reported.
Brooks said sheriff’s detectives had identified Rodriguez as a suspect in several thefts prior to him being arrested.
Detectives linked Rodriguez to several items of stolen property that have been recovered. Brooks said the stolen property has been identified as having been stolen from four separate thefts reported in the Kelseyville area and one reported in Clearlake Oaks.
Rodriguez remains in custody at the Lake County Jail, according to jail records.
Sheriff’s detectives have recovered items that are believed to be stolen, but have not been able to link these items to any reported thefts, Brooks said.
Anyone who has had a recent theft and not reported it is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 707-262-4200 to make a report.
In addition, Brooks said anyone who has made a report, but has not provided a detailed list of items stolen, is urged to contact the deputy they made the report to and provide the list.
Sheriff's office recovers stolen property, looks for theft victims
- Lake County News reports
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