Early this morning, a man wanted for a homicide in Lane County, Oregon, was captured after being happened upon by a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deputy on routine patrol along Highway 128 in Yorkville, California.
A press release issued this morning indicates the suspect, identified as 49-year-old John Kelley from Eugene, Oregon, was discovered alone in a parked vehicle on the side of the road. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Kelley had an outstanding arrest warrant for homicide from Lane County, Oregon.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office had issued a Be on the Lookout (BoLO) for Kelley just yesterday morning. This alert came in response to the discovery of a deceased adult female with suspicious injuries at a residence on Hwy 36, south of Junction City, Oregon.
After authorities identified Kelley as a suspect in the Lane County homicide, a regional officer safety bulletin went across the scanner yesterday warning local law enforcement that a vehicle connected with a homicide suspect out of Oregon had been detected by Flock, a license plate reader located along Highway 101.
Authorities in Lane County had cautioned the community about Kelley, describing him as armed and dangerous. Residents were urged to refrain from engaging with him and to report any sightings to the authorities.
Following his apprehension, Kelley was booked into the Mendocino County Jail. He is currently being held without bail and awaiting extradition to Oregon to face charges related to the homicide case. The vehicle Kelley was occupying at the time of his arrest has been impounded and being processed as evidence.
The following is the press release issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office regarding the arrest:
On 04-25-2024 at 12:31 A.M., a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Deputy was working uniformed patrol in the 31000 block of Highway 128 in Yorkville, California. The Deputy observed a vehicle parked on the side of Highway 128 and contacted the occupant of the vehicle.
The sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as John Kelley, a 49-year-old male from Eugene, Oregon. A records check revealed an active warrant for Kelley’s arrest out of Lane County Oregon for homicide (187 PC). Kelley was ultimately placed under arrest without incident for his out-of-state homicide warrant. Kelley nor any Law Enforcement personnel were injured during the apprehension and arrest.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is currently assisting the Lane County Sheriff’s Office from Oregon with this investigation. The vehicle occupied by Kelley was seized as evidence to be processed at a later date.
Kelley was subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held on a no-bail-status awaiting extradition back to the State of Oregon.
Well there is a situation that could have gone horribly wrong for the deputy in a blink of an eye.Very dangerous times that we are living in to be a lawman in any capacity.
I’m wondering if that asshat played any part in the armed robbery that took place in Hopland a few days ago?
One of several easy escape routes from the scene of that crime would have been Mountain House Road over to Highway 128.
I’m glad hes been caught. Now hopefully he never sees the light of day ever again