CLEARLAKE, Calif. – One suspect has been taken into custody in connection with a late Wednesday night prowling case involving a Clearlake market, and police are asking for the community’s help in identifying and locating the second suspect.
Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph said 34-year-old Wesley Daniel Sparks of Kelseyville was arrested after he was found prowling at J&L Market.
Just after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to the market, located at 6673 Old Highway 53, on a report of two suspicious persons at the business, Joseph said.
He said an alert witness reported one suspect to be on the roof of the business while the other suspect was in the parking lot.
As officers were en route to the closed business, the caller reported that the subjects had just fled into the wooded area on the east side of Old Highway 53, Joseph said.
Officers arrived and established a perimeter around the area where the suspects were last seen headed. Joseph said Officer Bobi Thompson located shoeprints leading from the business’ parking lot eastbound across Old Highway 53 into the wooded area.
Officers tracked the shoeprints into the wooded area and located an intoxicated subject hiding in the bushes. He was taken into custody without incident and identified as Sparks, Joseph said.
The second suspect was not located or apprehended, according to Joseph.
Joseph said that during questioning, Sparks admitted to being on the roof of J&L Market with another subject, just prior to police arriving on scene.
Lake County Fire Protection District personnel were requested to respond to the scene with ladders to assist officers in accessing the business’ roof. Joseph said officers were not able to find evidence of an attempted burglary to the business.
Sparks was charged with prowling and later booked into the Lake County Jail, with bail set at $5,000. Jail records indicated he later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
Joseph said officers are working to identify the second suspect.
The Clearlake Police Department would like to once again thank those who are willing to get involved and report suspicious activity.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Officer Thompson at 707-994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.