The following is a press released from Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On 01-11-2021 at approximately 5:21 PM, a Deputy from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a reported vehicle burglary in progress at an address in the 3500 block of North State Street in Ukiah, California.
Upon arrival, the Deputy contacted the reporting party who advised he owns a truck repair business at the location. The business owner reported seeing two subjects inside of a pickup that was dropped off for repairs. The business owner contacted the vehicle owner to confirm he had not sent anyone to get items out of his vehicle, and he stated no one should be inside of his vehicle.
The business owner provided descriptions of the two male subjects. The Deputy, with the assistance of officers from the Ukiah Police Department, located two male subjects matching the description in the area.
An in-field lineup was conducted, which positively identified the two males as the same subjects who were seen inside of the pickup.
Further investigation was conducted, which revealed the locked vehicle had been broken into, and it appeared the subjects were attempting to “hot wire” the pickup. The dashboard had been damaged and loose wires had been cut in the area of the pickup’s ignition. There were various tools and other items left in the pickup which did not belong to the owner.
The first subject was identified as Mason Harris. Harris was found to be on pretrial court ordered release for second degree burglary with search terms.
The second subject was identified as Patrick Schuetz. Schuetz was found to be on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS-County Parole) with search terms. A search of Schuetz’s belongings revealed several tools commonly used in the commission of burglaries.
Harris was ultimately placed under arrest for Attempted Vehicle Theft (664/10851(a) CVC), Second Degree Burglary (459/460(b) PC), and Conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC).
Schuetz was ultimately placed under arrest for 3455 PC (Violation of County Parole), Second Degree Burglary (459/460(b) PC), Conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC), and Possession of Burglary Tools (466 PC).
Both subjects were transported and booked into the Mendocino County Jail.
In accordance with the COVID-19 emergency order issued by the State of California Judicial Council, bail was set at zero dollars for both subjects and they were released after the jail booking process.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the officers from the Ukiah Police Department for their assistance with this case.
