Suspected Gang Member Wanted for Attempted Murder Arrested on Mendocino Coast

A suspect in a Santa Rosa attempted homicide with ties to Ukiah and Lake County was arrested late Friday night, July 6, 2024, after a dramatic vehicle pursuit and foot chase along the Mendocino Coast.

A press release issued by the Fort Bragg Police Department said 21-year-old Nathan Little Bear Hoaglin Junior known frequent both Clearlake and Ukiah, was apprehended by Fort Bragg police officers at approximately 10:16 PM on July 5, 2024, following a DUI investigation that led to a high-speed chase.

Officers had initially contacted Hoaglin and two passengers in a vehicle at Pomo Bluffs Park. Suspecting the driver was under the influence, officers attempted to initiate a DUI investigation. Hoaglin, however, fled the scene, prompting a pursuit down Highway 1.

The chase ended near Lansing Street in the town of Mendocino when Hoaglin lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a stationary traffic device on the Jack Peters Creek Bridge and then into an oncoming vehicle. All three occupants fled on foot.

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deputies, already in the area to assist, joined the search. Hoaglin was located and arrested on the 45000 block of Main Street in Mendocino. His passengers, Diego Ceja Sandoval, 19, of Ukiah, and a 16-year-old male from Coyote Valley, were also apprehended later that night.

No injuries were reported from the vehicle collision. The suspect vehicle was completely disabled, and all three suspects sustained minor injuries from jumping off the Jack Peters Creek Bridge while fleeing from officers. They were medically cleared before being booked.

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A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded unregistered handgun with a high-capacity magazine.

Hoaglin, who was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) and had a felony warrant for attempted homicide and gang participation in Santa Rosa, was booked into Mendocino County Jail on multiple charges, including evading a peace officer, child endangerment, conspiracy to commit a felony, carrying a loaded firearm in public, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident.

Sandoval was booked for carrying a loaded firearm in public, conspiracy to commit a felony, and resisting arrest. The juvenile was booked into Mendocino County Juvenile Detention Center on similar charges, including public intoxication.

The arrest comes after Hoaglin was identified as a suspect in a February 18 shooting in Santa Rosa. Hoaglin allegedly shot a 26-year-old man in the shoulder during an argument in the 500 block of Barham Avenue. The incident was believed to be gang-related.

Santa Rosa police had issued a warrant for Hoaglin’s arrest, considering him armed and dangerous. The Santa Rosa Police Department Gang Crimes Team is continuing to investigate the attempted homicide.

“This was an example of the outstanding partnership we have with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and all our allied agencies,” said Fort Bragg Police Chief Neil Cervenka. “Working together as a team, we successfully located and arrested an alleged gang member wanted for attempted homicide, considered armed and dangerous, and recovered an illegal firearm. This started with officers doing good, proactive police work, protecting our community.”

Anyone with information on the Mendocino incident is encouraged to contact Sgt. De Leon of the Fort Bragg Police Department at (707) 961-2800 ext. 214. Tips related to the Santa Rosa case can be directed to the SRPD Gang Crimes Team at 707-543-4021 or through their online Tip Line.

It must be stated that the charges have not been proven in a court of law. In accordance with the legal principle of the presumption of innocence, any individual described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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