Clearlake >> Unfounded complaints of illegal dumping led officers to the home of a convicted felon who authorities are now trying to locate.
A witness reported seeing a Ford Explorer illegally dumping trash into Clearlake Park on Tuesday then spotted the same vehicle on Wednesday at about 10 a.m. parked in a driveway located in the 2900 block of Fifth Street and notified officers, according to Clearlake Police Department (CPD) Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
The investigation was assigned to officer Elvis Cook who spoke with a man and woman at the front door. The man was identified as Clearlake resident David Randell Russell. From outside of the residence on the porch, Cook could clearly see a short barreled shotgun inside the home, Joseph stated. Cook believed the shotgun to be an illegal weapon due to its short length and detained the two persons contacted.
During the investigation, it was determined that the illegal shotgun actually belonged to Edward Dallas Gutierrez, 30, who is also the resident of the home. Gutierrez is a convicted felon and may not possess firearms. Evidence located at the scene suggested to investigators that Gutierrez may have fled the home out a back door upon Cook’s initial arrival, Joseph stated.
Russell was found to have an outstanding misdemeanor arrest warrant out of the CPD and was arrested without incident. The woman was later released without charges. Due to the fact that neither Russell nor the woman lived at the home, officers decided to seek a search warrant to enter the home and seize the illegal firearm, Joseph stated.
CPD investigator Mark Barnes obtained a search warrant for the residence which was authorized by a Lake County Superior Court judge. The warrant was served and the firearm was seized. In addition to the illegal firearm, several other illegal items were located and ultimately seized. These items include; ammunition, an illegal “billy club,” an illegal “brass knuckle” knife combination and drug paraphernalia.
Due to the fact that Gutierrez has not yet been located, the case will be referred to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office in hopes an arrest warrant will be issued for Gutierrez with charges to include; possession of an illegal short barreled shotgun, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of brass knuckles, possession of a “billy club,” possession of drug paraphernalia, Joseph stated.
The initial illegal dumping complaint appears to be unfounded as the investigation indicates that the vehicle was used to rummage through already dumped trash, looking for items of use.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Cook at 707-994-8251 ext. 508. Though the CPD prefers named witnesses as it makes cases earlier to investigate and prosecute, witnesses may remain anonymous.
