Tuesday’s Gualala Attempted Home Invasion Investigation Nets 1,900 Pounds of Cannabis— One Person of Interest Identified

On 01-18-2022 at approximately 2:45 p.m., the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from a person who reported they were a victim of a physical assault and were currently at a residence in the 45000 block of Seaside School Road in Gualala, California. 

The reported victim described multiple subjects that were currently on his property armed with firearms, one of which firearms was identified as an AR-15 rifle.  The reported victim identified “Yuri” as a subject who was trying to kill him. 

Law enforcement officers with the California Highway Patrol and California State Parks responded following a request for assistance from responding Deputies.  A reverse 9-1-1 was issued to alert nearby residents to shelter in place. 

While responding, Deputies received updated information that the reported victim escaped and was now in the 38000 block of Old Stage Road in Gualala. 

It was reported a friend to the reported victim was still inside the residence with the armed subjects, and the current state of his welfare was unknown. 

At approximately 4:07 p.m., Deputies and an officer with the California Highway Patrol arrived on scene (Seaside School Road) and began to approach the residence on foot. 

During that approach and from a distance, Deputies observed a male subject wearing white pants and a black hooded sweatshirt running away from the residence towards Old Stage Road.  As Deputies further approached the residence they observed another male subject who was compliant with Deputies and he was detained. 

As additional law enforcement arrived on scene, a perimeter was established to secure the scene and law enforcement entry was made inside the residence to search for any possible victim(s).  No other persons were located and Deputies initiated an investigation into the reported incident.   

During the course of the investigation, Deputies determined the location was being utilized for an unlawful/non-permitted cannabis cultivation and was an apparent factor to the reported physical assault and persons reported to be present on the property. 

Deputies sought and served a search warrant at the location for any evidence having a nexus to the reported assault and the cannabis cultivation. 

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During the service of that warrant, Deputies located and seized approximately 1,900-pounds of processed cannabis.

Deputies and California State Parks Law Enforcement personnel continued a search of the area throughout the night for any other involved parties without success. 

Deputies identified a person named Yuri Andrade as a person of interest. 

No arrests were made and this investigation is ongoing.  No further details are available for public release at the present time.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would request that anyone that has information concerning this incident and/or knows the identity of those involved, to call 707-961-2421 and reference case number 2022-01419.