CLEARLAKE — Investigations into two Clearlake crimes are continuing this week with authorities following new leads, according to Lt. Mike Hermann of the Clearlake Police Department.
Hermann said the CPD confiscated coins and jewelry a Clearlake Oaks man was carrying in a pouch over the weekend after a Lake County Sheriff”s deputy stopped him on foot. Clearlake antique store Zephyr Zen owner M. Vincent Metzger was reportedly unable to confirm whether the items were the ones stolen from his business on Friday.
“He (Metzger) was unable to positively identify the items, but he believes some of them may be his. But he couldn”t say 100 percent,” Hermann said.
The manager told police she was ordered to lie down on her face behind the counter while two men loaded bags with items. He estimated the value, $250,000. Among the jewelry taken was the victim”s wedding ring and a necklace she was wearing.
The man stopped in Clearlake Oaks and was not arrested, but the items found in his pouch will be held for two to three days to determine ownership, Hermann said.
Hermann said new information indicates that two or three people were involved. Coins that may have been stolen from the antique store are popping up at area retailers.
The CPD is also pursuing leads in a burglary at Toni”s Baking Emporium October 30. The thief or thieves reportedly took the makings of a wedding cake, including cake pans, cake mix, icings and decorating tips. According to owner Steven Vecellio, cash in an open cash drawer, a boom box sitting in the middle of the floor and other items of value were not taken.
“We”ve gotten a lot of calls,” Hermann said. “Just because there”s no suspect information at the time doesn”t mean you”re scot free. It”s just a matter of finding the right person.”
Anyone with information about either case is asked to call Stg. Tom Clements at 994-8251.
In other developments, Clearlake police arrested a male juvenile Friday for stealing $253 in cash and an iPod from Kelseyville football players lockers during a game at Lower Lake High School October 26.
The Clearlake resident, a Lower Lake High School student and former Kelseyville High School student, had reportedly told several other students about the theft and exchanged the iPod for other goods, according to a CPD report. CPD officer Carl Miller, currently assigned as Konocti Unified School District”s school resource officer, is looking for the subject who now has the iPod. Miller thanked several students who helped in his investigation for their willingness to “do the right thing.”
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
