From the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:

Suspect(s): 

  • Ryan Joseph Maxstadt, 27 years of age, San Jose CA 
  • Amanda DelValle, 24 years of age, Ukiah CA

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In preparation for the holiday season, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office began an anti-mail theft campaign throughout Mendocino County.  Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies, working in cooperation with United States Postal Inspectors and numerous private citizens began an intensive surveillance program, specifically targeting thefts of mail on rural mail routes.

On 12/20/2016 The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding theft of mail from a witness on Robinson Creek Road in the rural area of Ukiah.  Deputies received a description of the suspects and the suspect vehicle.   Deputies initiated an investigation and located one package of mail, stolen from Robinson Creek Road, in a residence located in the 2200 Block of South State St, the home of Amanda Delvalle. 

Delvalle was arrested for possession of stolen property, violation of probation, conspiracy and mail theft.  Deputies continued to investigate and developed a second suspect as well as a detailed description of the suspect vehicle.   

Deputies learned Ryan Maxstadt was the driver of the vehicle which was seen committing mail theft.  The vehicle also matched the description of a vehicle which had been involved in a pursuit with the Ukiah Police Department over the weekend.  A records check revealed Maxstadt had felony warrants for his arrest out of the bay area. 

After identifying Maxstadt Deputies coordinated efforts with officers from the Ukiah Police Department and began searching for the suspect vehicle in the greater Ukiah area.  Around 7:20 PM a Ukiah Police Sergeant located the vehicle near Talmage Rd and Hastings Rd.  Ukiah PD attempted to initiate a stop and the vehicle fled the area and a pursuit ensued, North bound on Highway 101.  Officers from the California Highway Patrol were summoned and took control of the pursuit on Highway 101.  

K-9 Unit “Ruddick.” Photo: MCSO.

After the vehicle pursuit ended Mendocino County Sheriff’s K-9 Ruddick was deployed to track and apprehend the suspect.  Ruddick quickly picked up the suspect’s track and located the suspect approximately 100 yards north of the vehicle in a creek bed, in the 1100 Block of South Main Street in Willits.

The suspect refused to comply with the orders of deputies and refused to show his hands.  K-9 Ruddick was deployed and the suspect was bitten multiple times.  K9 Ruddick held the suspect in place until such time Deputies could take him into custody.   

Maxstadt was taken to the Howard Memorial Hospital where he was treated for injuries from the K-9 deployment. Maxstadt was booked into to the Mendocino County Jail on multiple charges related to the pursuit and the shooting at the CHP Officers during the pursuit.  In addition the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Detective Unit will be seeking charges of conspiracy, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, identity/mail theft and violation of probation against Maxstadt. He is currently held without bail. 

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens who assisted in this investigation, and to remind members of the public who have rural delivery mail boxes to remove your mail daily.  If you are going to be gone, contact the United States Postal Service for a stop delivery to your mail box and to report any suspicious vehicles or persons who might be involved in mail theft.