Police investigate reported armed robbery; arrests made for marijuana sales, weapons
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – This week the Clearlake Police Department made arrests during the course of an investigation into an armed robbery involving marijuana.
On Tuesday at 8:45 p.m., Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 16200 block of 32nd Avenue for a reported robbery in progress, according to Det. Ryan Peterson.
The reporting party told the police department that two black male adults were holding three Hispanic male adults at gunpoint at a house. Peterson said the man reporting the incident said he was located at the intersection of 32nd Avenue and Boyles Avenue watching the residence.
As the officers arrived, they observed a Cadillac sedan begin to leave the residence. Based on the circumstances, the officers conducted a high risk stop on the vehicle, Peterson said.
From the traffic stop, Peterson said 18-year-old William Hutton and 23-year-old James Deshawn Celestin Willis, both of Clearlake, were detained. During a search of the vehicle, a .357-magnum handgun was located inside.
The officers proceed to the residence and conducted a protective sweep in search of potential victims and suspects. Peterson said officers located 52-year-old Jose Belem Cuevas of Clearlake and several other subjects inside of the residence. They also saw in plain view marijuana packaged for sale.
Through the investigation, Peterson said it was determined that the two black males were from out of the area. They were brought to the residence by Willis to purchase marijuana from Cuevas.
During the transaction, the two black males displayed guns and robbed the two of approximately 25 pounds of processed and packaged marijuana. The two black males then fled the area in a white unknown type vehicle at a high rate of speed, Peterson said.
Based on the investigation and statements from the subjects involved, Peterson said Cuevas was arrested for possession of marijuana for sale and Willis was arrested for the violations of carrying a loaded firearm in public and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle. The remaining marijuana located in plain view in the residence was seized and later determined to have a combined weight of approximately 28 pounds.
The Clearlake Police Department is continuing to seek leads in this case and anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Mauricio Barreto at 707-994-8251, Extension 507. Callers may remain anonymous.
The Clearlake Police Department reminds citizens that Proposition 64 does not allow the sale of cannabis or cannabis product by private unlicensed persons, and that conducting such illegal activity leads to the potential risk of violent crimes.