LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man was arrested Wednesday evening after he allegedly shot at two utility workers who were installing equipment at his home.
Dennis Leroy Cato, 64, was taken into custody for attempted murder, assault with a firearm, criminal threats and negligent discharge of a firearm following the incident, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Brooks.
Just after 5 p.m. Wednesday sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of two utility employees being shot at while working at a residence in north Lakeport, Brooks said.
Deputies went to an address on Oak Park Way in Lakeport where Brooks said two male subjects had taken refuge. The deputies contacted both subjects who explained that they work for North Coast Energy Services, which subcontracts with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. installing energy efficient utilities.
Both men said they received a work order to install several utilities at Cato’s home, which is located in the 3000 block of Hill Road East in Lakeport, Brooks said.
The men had contacted Cato the day before and scheduled an appointment to install the equipment at 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to Brooks.
Both subjects said they arrived at Cato’s residence at the agreed upon time and started installing the equipment. At approximately 5 p.m. they were just completing the installation of a water heater when Cato stepped out onto the front porch and appeared to be somewhat intoxicated, Brooks said.
Cato looked at them and said he was going to shoot them both and went back inside the residence, Brooks reported.
Afraid for their safety, both subjects started to load tools and equipment back into their work van so they could leave. Brooks said Cato came back outside moments later with a handgun and started shooting at them.
As they were running away, one of them fell down and injured his back. Brooks said both men told deputies that they did not know why Cato had shot at them.
Deputies responded to Cato’s home, where he was detained without incident. Brooks said a protective sweep was conducted inside the residence, and a rifle and two handguns were located within close proximity to the front door.
Both of the North Coast Energy Services employees positively identified Cato as the person who had shot at them. Brooks said they also identified one of the handguns – a revolver – as the one used by Cato during the shooting.
When deputies inspected the revolver they noticed spent casings inside the cylinder, Brooks said. Deputies also noticed two bullet holes in one of the van tires, which matched the direction Cato was reported to have pointed and fired the handgun.
Brooks said Cato was arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility, where he was booked.
Cato, whose booking sheet listed his profession as casino dealer, remained in custody on Thursday with bail set at $200,000.
Jail records indicated he is to appear in Lake County Superior Court for arraignment on Friday.