The following is a press release from the 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 12/01/2024 at approximately 11:54 PM, a concerned citizen contacted the Ukiah Police Department (UPD) to report a subject was actively shoplifting from the Express Mart at 390 East Gobbi Street. The citizen told UPD Dispatch that he and the employee had recovered the stolen property, however the suspect, later identified as a 15-year-old male from Ukiah was arguing with the employee.
During the UPD Officer’s response it was further reported that the suspect was physically assaulting the employee. Officer’s arrived on scene and located the male suspect on the south sidewalk of East Gobbi Street, just south of the business. Officers detained the suspect due to the report of him being involved in a crime and actively fighting with the employee.
Through the UPD Officer’s investigation it was determined that the suspect had entered the business and was observed placing items into a backpack. As the suspect attempted to exit the store, the employee told him to show him what he had inside of his backpack, and to return the stolen items. The suspect refused to return the items and fled on foot exiting the store. The employee and citizen followed the suspect and took a hold of the suspects backpack pulling him back inside of the store. The business’ video surveillance footage showed the suspect strike the employee with his right fist in the face two times, then swung his backpack containing a metal weight and pruning shears, striking the employee in the head.
When UPD Officer’s first arrived, they observed that the victim was sitting down inside of the business holding his head, and he stated that he didn’t feel well. It should be noted that the victim had visible redness on the top of his head. Due to the victim being struck in the face multiple times and a blunt object, the UPD Officer requested that medical respond to treat the victim. Medstar Ambulance arrived and ultimately transported the victim to a local hospital for further treatment.
Based on the UPD Officer’s investigation it was determined that the suspect used physical force to commit the shoplift, which classifies as a robbery (Felony). Additionally, the UPD Officer determined that a deadly weapon was used (metal weight/pruning shears) to assault the victim, which classifies as an assault with a deadly weapon (Felony).
The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall to be booked for the listed offenses.
As always, UPD’s mission is to make Ukiah as safe a place as possible. If you would like to know more about crime in your neighborhood, you can sign up for telephone, cellphone, and email notifications by clicking the Nixle button on our website; www.ukiahpolice.com.
Fuckin kid going to grow up to be America’s Most Wanted, and I saw no benefit in Prop 36 yet so what’s up with that??
UPD doesn’t keep people safe. They react after people are hurt, if they have time.
There is a big difference.
Ukiah gets more dangerous every day.
In Ukiah LE is more dangerous than anyone else walking the streets.
Sounds like you libs daddies us doing prison time lol. No moral values ever learned so sad.
Store employees putting hands on someone outside of the store and dragging them back in is possibly assault and battery on the kid. Don’t play cops and robbers if you’re not a cop. It might upset you to see something like stealing but that doesn’t give you the right to go hands on. That’s how you get clobbered by a backpack full of heavy shit. You’re just an employee not Rowdy Roddy Piper.
All thumbs down represent ignorance of civil rights laws.