LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities are continuing to make arrests of individuals found in the areas ordered evacuated due to the Mendocino Complex.
The newest round of arrests occurred on Tuesday and included individuals who couldn’t offer good explanations for their presence in the evacuated areas and some who had drugs, burglary tools or other items in their possession that didn’t belong to them.
Any unauthorized person who willfully and knowingly enters a disaster area and who willfully remains within the area after receiving notice to evacuate or leave shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
The following reports came from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Lakeport Police Department.
Brian Ward Taffi, 41, of Lakeport
At about 9 a.m. law enforcement officers contacted Brian Ward Taffi, 41, walking in a closed area in north Lakeport.
Taffi had been contacted twice before walking around in a closed area and advised to leave.
Taffi's girlfriend was also contacted and told the officers Taffi was enroute to Del Lago marina to steal a boat.
Taffi was placed under arrest and booked into jail for unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area.
Steven Elliott
At about 11:30 a.m. law enforcement officers conducted a vehicle stop on Steven Elliott after seeing him drive away from Anastasia Drive in Lakeport.
Upon contact with Elliott it was determined he did not live in the area and had no reason for being there.
Elliott was placed under arrest for unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area.
During a search of his vehicle officers located a bag containing bolt cutters, pliers and a large knife.
Elliott was additionally charged with possession of burglary tools and booked into jail.
William David Lyons, 31, of Lakeport
At about 10:30 a.m. law enforcement officers contacted William David Lyons, 31, of Lakeport at the end of 1350 S. Main St. by the boat docks.
Officers determined Lyons was on probation and conducted a search of his person and located suspected methamphetamine.
Lyons was placed under arrest and booked into jail for possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area and violation of probation.
Roberto Carlos Torres, 39, of Lakeport
At 12:50 p.m. Tuesday, officers patrolling the evacuated area contacted Roberto Carlos Torres, 39, of Lakeport near Winter Avenue in Lakeport.
Torres told officers he had gone to Clear Lake High School to wet his hair and he could not provide a clear reason why he was walking around the evacuated area.
Officers located two shaved keys in Torres’ backpack. Shaved keys are commonly used in burglaries and thefts. Torres could not provide a good reason for having the keys.
Torres was arrested for unauthorized person in an evacuation area and possession of burglary tools and later released with a citation after being escorted from the evacuation area.
Gary Neal Mayhood, 59, of Nice
At 4:30 p.m. officers contacted Gary Neal Mayhood, 59, of Nice near the Len Lee Trailer Resort in Nice.
Officers observed Mayhood pushing a dirt bike out of the trailer park. Mayhood told officers he was retrieving the dirt bike from a friend.
Officers located approximately 27.5 grams of methamphetamine in Mayhood’s pocket. He told officers the methamphetamine was for personal use. He also said that he provided it to people who had evacuated. Mayhood had $940 on his person.
Mayhood was arrested and booked into custody for unauthorized person in an evacuation area, sales of controlled substance, and transportation of a controlled substance.
Francisco Valdez Corona, 30, of Kelseyville; Juan Carlos Corona, 26, of Kelseyville; and Alfredo Corona Ramirez, 30, of Finley
At 6:45 p.m., officers stopped a tan sedan on Blue Court in Kelseyville and contacted the driver, Francisco Valdez Corona, 30, of Kelseyville and passengers, Juan Carlos Corona, 26, of Kelseyville and Alfredo Corona Ramirez, 30, of Finley.
The driver’s license for Corona was suspended. The males told officers they were evacuating, but they did not have any property in their vehicle.
They also told officers they were delivering water to a friend on Blue Court. They did have a case of water in the trunk.
A records check revealed Alfredo Corona was on Post Release Community Supervision probation for felony evading.
When officers attempted to verify the explanation that they were delivering water to a friend, the three men admitted they had lied and could not provide a reason for why they were driving in the evacuation area.
All three males were arrested for unauthorized person in an evacuation area and later released with a citation after being escorted from the evacuation area.
Authorities announce more arrests in mandatory evacuation areas
- Lake County News reports
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