CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man who allegedly forced his way into a Clearlake home early Sunday morning died following a struggle with the home’s resident.
Randy Robinson, 30, died from injuries he received in a fight with 32-year-old Danne Petras, according to the Clearlake Police Department.
Clearlake Police staffers have remained on scene – located in the 14000 block of Lakeshore Drive – conducting the investigation since the early morning, Police Chief Craig Clausen told Lake County News.
According to a report from Sgt. Tim Hobbs, at 5:30 a.m. Petras was asleep inside his residence when he heard someone attempting to break into the residence.
Petras got up and went to investigate. As he approached his front door, Robinson allegedly entered the residence through the door he had just forced open, Hobbs said.
A struggle ensued between Petras and Robinson, during which Robinson suffered several injuries and became unresponsive, according to Hobbs.
A neighbor who heard the commotion called the police. Hobbs said Clearlake Police officers arrived a short time later and contacted Petras in front of the residence.
Police found Robinson on the floor inside the residence, Hobbs said. Medical personnel from the Lake County Fire Protection District were dispatched to the scene and arrived a short time later.
Robinson was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, where he was pronounced dead, Hobbs said.
Petras sustained several injuries during the struggle and later was treated and released at St. Helena Hospital in Clearlake, according to Hobbs.
Hobbs said Clearlake Police detectives responded and took over the investigation.
So far, police have not revealed if any weapons were used in the fight that fatally injured Robinson.
Hobbs said the exact cause is unknown, but it does not appear to have been from a knife or gunshot wound.
The agency also has not yet offered a motive for the alleged break-in.
Hobbs said it appears at this time that Petras acted in self defense and that he was justified in using force to protect himself while inside his own residence.
As is standard in this type of case, once the investigation is complete it will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office for review, Hobbs said.
The Clearlake Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding this case contact Detective Peterson at 707-994-8251.