MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The investigation into a burglary at a local school has led to the arrest of a Napa County woman.
Shellby Gael Dunlap, 21, of Napa was arrested on Saturday morning, according to a report from Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
At 8:25 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, deputies responded to the Lake County International Charter School, located at 15850 Armstrong St. in Middletown, on the report of a burglary, Brooks said.
Brooks said it was reported that the suspect, or suspects, had entered the school and stolen four Dell laptop computers and eight Apple iPads that the school had acquired through a grant.
Detectives assisted patrol deputies with the investigation by conducting followup interviews, obtaining video surveillance and canvassing the area for witnesses and evidence, Brooks said.
Detectives learned that a Twin Pine Casino player card in the name of Shellby Dunlap had been recovered at the charter school, according to Brooks.
Brooks said detectives also learned Dunlap had an arrest warrant out of Napa County for drug-related charges. Detectives provided this information to patrol units requesting they be on the look out for Dunlap.
During the early morning hours of Friday, March 14, a patrol deputy was conducting a walk-through at Twin Pine Casino. Brooks said the deputy observed two handbags near the security booth. The deputy was advised the bags had been left at the casino and had been there for more than 24 hours.
The deputy showed the security officer a photo of Dunlap. The security officer confirmed Dunlap was the person who left the bags, Brooks said.
Brooks said the deputy inspected the bags and observed two Dell laptop computers. The deputy checked the computers, confirming the laptops were two of the four that had been stolen from the charter school.
Sheriff’s detectives continued to conduct followup on the case, Brooks said. Detectives learned that Dunlap had been arrested on March 11 for unrelated drug charges in Sonoma County and was in custody there. Dunlap also had one of the stolen iPads in her possession when she was arrested.
Detectives made arrangements with the Sonoma County Jail to pick up Dunlap, Brooks said. On Saturday, March 15, Lake County Sheriff’s detectives picked up Dunlap and transported her back to Lake County.
Dunlap told detectives she knew the laptops and iPad were stolen, but denied being responsible for the theft, Brooks said.
Dunlap was booked into the Lake County Jail for burglary and possession of stolen property. She remained in custody on Monday afternoon with a $50,000 bail, according to jail records.
Anyone with information regarding the burglary to the charter school is requested to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.