CLEARLAKE — Calls from several witnesses Tuesday assisted the Clearlake Police Department (CPD) in the recovery of a stolen motorcycle and arrest of two men.
The motorcycle, which was reported stolen out of the Blue Lakes area in November, was returned to the legal owner.
At about 8:45 a.m. dispatch began receiving calls from several witnesses regarding a person riding an off-road motorcycle in the area of Oak and 31st avenues. Officers were unavailable to immediately respond to the calls as they were engaged in a priority call for service. After completing that call, two officers arrived in the area.
According to Sgt. Rodd Joseph, a witness was contacted and identified a home on the 15600 block of 31st Avenue where the motorcycle was allegedly last seen. Officers then made contact at the residence with Eric Klein, 35, who Joseph said was a well-known parolee in Clearlake.
“When Klein learned that officers were going to conduct a parole search of the home, he told officers that he had been riding the off-road motorcycle, which was now parked in the garage,” Joseph said. “Officers examined the 2004 Honda off-road motorcycle and discovered it was a reported stolen motorcycle.”
Joseph said officers conducted a parole search of the home where several other subjects were located. Rafael Garcia Jr., 36, who Joseph said is a former resident and current parolee out of Los Angeles, was allegedly found hiding in a closet in Klein”s home. Garcia, who Joseph said is well-known to the CPD, was found to be wanted on a parole warrant and was arrested without incident.
Joseph said that during a subsequent parole search of the residence, suspected methamphetamine totaling more than a gram and drug paraphernalia were located. A search of a vehicle on the property he said yielded more than two pounds of processed marijuana.
Klein was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, stolen property, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He and Garcia were booked into Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility.
“The Clearlake Police Department wants to remind residents that it is illegal to drive or ride off-highway vehicles on any city street, whether paved or not,” Joseph said. “The police department also wants to thank those callers who reported this activity, which led to the recovery of the stolen motorcycle, the recovery of dangerous drugs and the apprehension of two parolees.”
Anyone with information about a crime occurring in the City of Clearlake is urged to contact the CPD at 994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.
