Lake County man arrested in Ukiah for stolen vehicle, narcotics
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested a Lake County man who was driving a stolen vehicle and in possession of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl.
Mark Andrew Nielsen, 33, of Nice was arrested on Friday, according to Sgt. Jay Vanoven.
At 1:53 a.m. Friday a Mendocino County Sheriff's deputy was on patrol in Ukiah on Arlington Drive near North Pine Street when the deputy noticed a vehicle driving erratically down residential streets, Vanoven said.
Vanoven said the deputy caught up to the vehicle, a gray Dodge Charger, on Arlington Drive, where it suddenly pulled over and stopped.
The deputy contacted the driver, identified as Nielsen. Vanoven said that while speaking with Nielsen, the deputy learned the vehicle Nielsen was driving was reported stolen out of Lake County.
Vanoven said the deputy arrested Nielsen for being in possession of a stolen vehicle.
While searching Nielsen's pockets incident to the arrest, the deputy located a plastic bag containing three blue tablets, Vanoven said.
These tablets are known to be counterfeit prescription medications referred to as "M30" or "Fetty" and contain the dangerous narcotic, fentanyl. Vanoven said "M30" pills, and fentanyl in other forms, have been identified as the cause of many drug overdose medical emergencies and deaths throughout Mendocino County.
Vanoven said the three pills found in Nielsen's possession were seized as evidence.
Nielsen was transported to the Mendocino County Jail where he was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a controlled narcotic, Vanoven said.
In accordance with the COVID-19 emergency order issued by the Judicial Council of California, Vanoven said bail was set at zero dollars and Nielsen was released after the jail booking process, on his promise to appear in court at a later date.