Ramon Celedon, 34, was arrested for robbery and possession of stolen property following a search by law enforcement, according to Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Just after 11 a.m. Friday the Hopland Tribal Police Department was notified of an armed robbery which took place in the parking lot of the Hopland Sho-Ka-Wah Casino, Smallcomb said.
Smallcomb said Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies and Hopland Tribal Police officers contacted the victims and learned that Celedon and the victims had a previous relationship and possibly worked together on a Potter Valley or Lake County vineyard.
Celedon allegedly had offered to give the four victims a ride to Southern California. Smallcomb said they met at the casino parking lot, at which time Celedon allegedly took – at gunpoint – approximately $5,000 to $10,000 from the victims, along with their personal property, and fled the location in the pickup.
A description of Celedon and his pickup was broadcasted via radio to local law enforcement and subsequently was seen driving in the area of West Clay Street in Ukiah, Smallcomb said.
Ukiah Police officers, Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol officers attempted to locate Celedon's vehicle, which Smallcomb said they located hidden at a Highland Drive Residence in Western Ukiah.
Law enforcement officers started checking the western hills above the location where Celedon's vehicle had been located. Smallcomb said the officers found two handguns, one long rifle and ammunition located inside a rifle case, on the hill area above Celedon's pickup.
Mendocino County Sheriffs K-9 Deputy Don Scott and his K-9 “Hondo” were summoned to the location and a search was initiated, Smallcomb said. Approximately 15 minutes later Celedon was located by Deputy Scott and Hondo and taken into custody.
A search warrant was obtained for Celedon's pickup and Smallcomb said Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives located several items belonging to the victims, along with approximately 25 pounds of processed marijuana.
Celedon was subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail, with bail set at $75,000, Smallcomb said.
Smallcomb said the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office wanted to thank the passing motorist who assisted in calling law enforcement and advising them of Celedon's driving location on Clay Street in Ukiah.
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