- Lake County News reports
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Florida man arrested in connection to Monday robbery; authorities looking for other subjects
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities have arrested a Florida man and are looking for other subjects who they said took part in an early Monday morning armed robbery in Kelseyville.
Rodney Lydell Hutchinson, 38, of Crestview, Florida was arrested later on Monday morning, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
At 3 a.m. Monday, Lake County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call from a female living in 10600 block of Bottle Rock Road in Kelseyville reporting that four male adults broke into her house, fired several shots and took marijuana from the residence, Paulich said.
The woman told authorities that after the robbery the subjects left the area in a white Sprinter-type van and a U-Haul truck. The victim reported that all four males were armed with handguns, Paulich said.
Responding deputies saw a U-Haul truck traveling north on Highway 29 near Highland Springs Road. Paulich said the deputies attempted to stop the U-Haul, but it continued on Highway 29 at 80 miles per hour. The deputies observed items being thrown from the truck in the area of Highland Springs Road.
The pursuit continued across the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff to Highway 20. Paulich said the U-Haul continued east on Highway 20 where officers from the California Highway Patrol joined the pursuit.
The pursuit continued on Highway 20 until it reached the area of the WorldMark Resort in Nice. Paulich said the U-Haul made a U-turn and as it did one of the vehicle’s occupants jumped out and fled towards the lake.
The U-Haul then drove west on Highway 20 turning into the resort. Paulich said the U-Haul slowed in the WorldMark parking lot and two more individuals jumped out, fleeing on foot while the U-Haul was still rolling.
He said the U-Haul eventually stopped after jumping a curb and crashing into a sign for the resort.
Officers pursued the subjects but lost sight of them in the resort. Paulich said officers were able to locate a male subject matching the subject’s description who was hiding under a staircase. The subject ran from the officers, going up to the second story and jumping off the second-story balcony.
Paulich said the male subject – later identified as Hutchinson – continued to run a short distance before surrendering to officers.
When questioned, Hutchinson told officers he was homeless and only ran because he had a warrant for his arrest out of Florida. Paulich said Hutchinson denied being one of the males that ran from the U-Haul.
Officers searched the U-Haul, locating several plastic containers and trash bags containing marijuana, Paulich said.
An officer from the Lakeport Police Department had also responded to assist, locating items that had been thrown out of the U-Haul during the pursuit. Paulich said officers were able to locate handguns, cell phones and gloves.
Hutchinson was arrested and booked at the Lake County Jail on charges of robbery, assault with a firearm, evading, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and conspiracy. Paulich said Hutchinson remained in custody on Tuesday with bail set at $150,000.
The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit responded and continued the investigation, Paulich said.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding this investigation and the identity of the outstanding subjects involved in the robbery to contact Det. Jeff Mora at 707-262-4224.