Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release:

Weston Riley

On 7/11/2017 around 3:43 PM the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the 23700 Block of Hopper Lane in Covelo related to an assault with a deadly weapon.  Deputies responded to that location and contacted the reporting party, an adult female who said she was a care taker of the property.  The care taker related that the property was owned by Monelle Riley, who was out of state caring for a sick relative.  The reporting party said around 2:00 AM that morning Weston Riley, Monelle’s 22 year old son, arrived at the property demanding the caretaker turn over a vehicle he felt belonged to him.  The caretaker refused to give him the keys to the vehicle and after a brief argument Weston left the property.

Between 3:00 and 3:30 PM Weston returned to the property and again demanded the caretaker turn over the keys to the vehicle.  She again refused and Weston began cursing at her while banging a fist on the door to the residence.  The caretaker became concerned for her safety and telephoned two adult male friends, ages 65 and 53 years of age.  These two men came to the caretaker’s assistance and attempted to convince Weston he needed to leave the property. 

The two men later told Deputies that Weston became angry with them and produced a small handgun and fired two shots at them.  He then ran into a nearby shed on the property and came out carrying a long rifle.  The two men informed deputies that as they were running to their vehicle to leave, Weston fired two rounds from the rifle at them before the gun malfunctioned.  They were able to leave the property, as was the caretaker, with no one being injured.  They told Deputies they thought Weston was still at the property. 

The Mendocino County SWAT Team responded to the location as Weston was believed to still be on the property, perhaps barricaded in one of the structures there.  Numerous attempts to made to contact Weston at the property with negative results.  After a search warrant was obtained the residence and outbuildings were searched but Weston was not located.  It is believed he must have left the property just before the first responding Deputies arrived.

Weston is currently wanted for felony assault with a deadly weapon (firearm).  He is described as a white male adult, 5‘05” tall, weighing approximately 110 pounds.  He was last seen with no shirt, a red hat, and wearing “cut off” blue jean shorts.  His whereabouts are currently unknown.  The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who might know where Weston is to contact the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at (707) 463-4086 or by calling the Sheriff’s Tip Line at (707) 234-2100.