LAKEPORT >> James Dotson, 24 and Richard Tillman, 28 both appeared with Counsel at the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport this week, entering pleas of not guilty to all counts.
Both men face multiple charges after allegedly attempting to burglarize the South Lake Refuse and Recycling on Davis Avenue in Clearlake during early morning hours.
Clearlake police officers were dispatched to the area for a reported burglary in progress. Gossett Alarm advised that the Hazmat door had been breached and the power was cut to the storage building.
Officers arrived at the scene and reportedly encountered two men in the process of burglarizing the storage building. These men are identified as James Dotson, 24 and Richard Tillman, 28, both Clearlake residents.
Dotson and Tillman allegedly fled on foot when they were encountered by the police. A foot pursuit proceeded, which led them into a wooded area on the south side of the building, according to Sgt. Travis Lenz. Both suspects entered a vehicle, which was concealed in the brush. Officer Chris Kelleher opened the driver side door, as the driver, Dotson, attempted to drive away. Dotson was physically removed and detained in handcuffs.
Tillman, exited the passenger side of the vehicle and fled down a hill on foot, out of the officer’s sight, but they found him hiding in the brush after a thorough search of the area.
Tillman was found to be in possession of property which had just been stolen from the building. After a search of the suspect’s vehicle, additional stolen property from previous burglaries at South Lake Refuse and Recycling was located.
All recovered property was returned to the business and Dotson and Tillman were later booked into the Lake County Jail and face 8 criminal counts each, with special allegations.
On June 28, 2016 Richard Dwayne Tillman, Jr. was present and in custody at the Lake County Superior Courthouse in Lakeport with Counsel, Defense Attorney Mitchell Hauptman. A copy of the Complaint was provided to defense counsel and a formal reading of the Complaint and advisement of rights was waived. Tillman entered a plea of not guilty to all counts and he denied the special allegations. The defendant did not waive time. The Tillman matter was set July 1 for the Master Calendar Call in Department 3 with a Preliminary Hearing set for July 7 at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced. The defendant is ordered to be present on all dates.
On June 28, 2016 James Lee Dotson, Jr. was present and in custody at the Lake County Superior Courthouse in Lakeport with Counsel, Defense Attorney Komnith Moth. A copy of the Complaint was provided to defense counsel and a formal reading of the Complaint and advisement of rights was waived. Dotson entered a plea of not guilty to all counts and denied the special allegations. The defendant did not waive time.
Dotson is also facing a violation of probation in a prior case, which involves Dotson fleeing from a peace officer, along with another prior case, which are both set to trail his most recent matter. He will appear for a Preliminary Hearing set for July 7 at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced. The defendant is ordered to be present on all dates.
