LAKEPORT >> Two Sonoma County men, Larry Robert Neil Hunter, 52 and Paul Owen Albini, 47 both appeared with counsel at the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport, waiving their rights to a preliminary examination.
Both men are charged with Grand Theft (value exceeding $400) and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
The charges stem from an August incident when Hunter and Albini were allegedly found with a number of items stolen from bulldozers being used to contain the Clayton Fire.
Clearlake officers responded to a burglary call made Wednesday, Aug. 17. Officers traced the suspects through shoe prints near the bulldozers. According to police reports, the two were found with a chainsaw, a handheld GPS and other items taken from United States Forest Service vehicles. Firefighters also identified the suspects.
Judge Andrew Blum presided over the Preliminary Examination, which was waived and consented to by the Court and the People. Deputy District Attorney Alan Upton was present in court with the matter being set for an Arraignment on an Information Sept. 20 at 8:15 a.m. in Department Four.
Both Hunter and Albini are in custody and ordered to be present.
