Clearlake >> Nearly two dozen alleged trespassers were taken into police custody during two days of evacuation prompted by the Clayton Fire.
Authorities nabbed 22 people in the closed disaster zone, including two felons, many of whom face multiple charges or had outstanding arrest warrants.
City police drastically increased its staffing to patrol the Clearlake Avenues while under mandatory evacuation orders in place between Aug. 14 and 16, Sgt. Tim Hobbs reported.
The Clearlake Police Department (CPD) had 10 to 15 law enforcement officers specifically patrolling the area, and had help from a multitude of local and state personnel as well.
“With their help we were able to provide a highly visible law enforcement presence in the evacuated area,” Hobbs said in a media release.
Five tried to run away from officers, and one attempted to escape in a vehicle, Hobbs reported. They were all charged with resisting arrest.
Four were also driving with a suspended license, three had narcotics and two had burglary tools. Additionally, at least two suspects had prior burglary convictions.
Since the time the evacuation was lifted the CPD has yet to receive any burglary reports in the evacuated area.
Below is a list of arrests:
• Mark Matheson, 58, was arrested for driving with a suspended driver’s license and displaying false registration tabs.
• Jordan Nagel, 22, was arrested for an arrest warrant.
• Shawn Hammond, 47, was arrested for an arrest warrant.
• Sarah Simpson, 23, was arrested for an arrest warrant and possession of a narcotic controlled substance
• Michael Row, 31 was arrested for being in a closed disaster area and resisting arrest after he fled from officers on foot.
• Sarah Ashely, 24, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area and resisting arrest after she fled from officers on foot.
• Gregg Dumper, 51, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area and resisting arrest after he fled from officers on foot during a traffic stop.
• David Ramirez, 54, was arrested for an arrest warrant.
• Joshua Smith, 33, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area, possession of burglary tools and violation of parole. Smith is on active CDCR parole for burglary.
• David Favors, 43, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area.
• Michelle Wicor, 57, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area.
• Calvin Cotter, 27, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area.
• James Gauthier, 52, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area.
• Jamie Athas, 46, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area.
• Lathina Decosta, 23, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area and possession of a controlled substance.
• Jeremiah Wertz, 31, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area, possession of a controlled substance for sales, felon in possession of tear gas, carrying a concealed knife and driving with a suspended driver’s license.
• Robert Wilcox, 46, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area, evading in a motor vehicle, resting arrest and driving with a suspended driver’s license.
• Jessica Fowler, 28, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area and resisting arrest after she fled from a vehicle during a traffic stop.
• Chris Montoya, 50, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area and violation of probation
• Jonathan August, 25, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area.
• Bradley Thorstenson, 26, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area, and violation of probation. Thorstenson is on active felony probation for burglary.
• Juan Sanchez, 24, was arrested for being in a closed disaster area and resisting arrest after he fled from officer on foot.
