Armed Men Allegedly Pose as Law Enforcement in Attempt to Steal Northern Mendocino Marijuana Crop
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release:
On 07-16-17, at about 2:33 AM, a subject called 911 to report that numerous armed subjects had just come onto his remote, rural property in several vehicles claiming to be law enforcement officers. Based on their appearance and demeanor the subject recognized that they were not law enforcement officers but were actually there with the intent to steal his marijuana crop. The subject fled to call 911, after suspects fired, and he believed that another resident was hiding on the property.
Mendocino County Deputy Sheriff’s were nearby and contacted the subject on Hwy 162, where he described what happened and the vehicles involved. The Deputies drove to the property where they encountered a truck matching one described by the victim. Upon seeing the deputies the vehicle attempted to flee, driving just out of sight and stopping. Deputies subsequently searched the vehicle, locating firearms and stolen property, but no suspects.
The other resident was located, unharmed, and said that he had been contacted at the house by 5-8 men wearing ski masks, armed with firearms, claiming to be law enforcement officers. These subjects questioned the victim at gunpoint about the location of valuable items and people on the property and forced him into a truck, threatening to shoot him if he did not comply. The subject was robbed of his personal belongings and forced to assist the suspects as they stole marijuana plants. The subject was released when the suspects drove away.
Hernandezsanchez and Nunez | MCSO (A photo of the third suspect was not available)
Deputies at the scene requested the assistance of the Mendocino County Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT) to assist in searching the wooded remote area for the armed suspects.
At about 11:00 AM three suspects were located and arrested without incident. All three suspects, Daniel Hernandezsanchez, Matthew Sturges, and Alejandro Nunez were lodged at the Mendocino County Jail for the listed charges with bail set at $150,000.00. The incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is requested to call (707) 234-2100 or e-mail to crimetip@mendocinosheriff.
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