Press Release
February 7, 2012

On February 4, 2012 at approximately 3:45 pm the Susanville Police Department responded to the 400 block of Alexander Ave for a report of suspicious persons. Upon arrival, the officer learned that someone had forced entry into a vacant home and started a fire by placing a broom on the kitchen stove. The officer retrieved a fire extinguisher and put the fire out, minimizing the fire damage to the kitchen stove. During the course of the investigation, officers received a description of the two male subjects that had entered the residence a few moments prior to police arrival.

A Cal-Fire law enforcement officer in the area located two male juveniles just a few blocks from the scene who matched the description provided by witnesses. The two male juveniles, age 15 and 16 of Susanville, were later identified by witnesses as the suspects.

The boys were subsequently arrested for residential burglary, vandalism and attempted arson. They were booked into the Lassen County Juvenile Hall and will be held pending a court appearance.

The case has been referred to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Tom Downing
Police Captain
 

Press Release
February 7, 2012

On February 3, 2012 at approximately 2:30 pm the Susanville Police Department responded to the 300 block of N. Gilman St. for a report of a residential burglary. Upon arrival, officers learned that someone had forced entry into the residence within the past few hours. While in the house the suspect stole some jewelry and prescription medication. Through the course of the investigation on scene, officers collected evidence and witness statements that would possibly identify the suspect.

At approximately 4:00 pm on the same day, an alert Susanville Police Officer observed a male subject walking in the area of the 500 block of N. Roop St. who matched the description of the suspect. The officer also noticed that the subject had an injury that was consistent with the evidence located at the scene. Upon contact with the subject, identified as Travis James Dangler age/23 of Susanville, the officer located stolen property upon Dangler from the burglary.

Dangler was subsequently arrested for residential burglary, possession of stolen property and a parole violation. He was booked into the Lassen County Jail for the above charges and will be held without bail due to the parole violation.

“If it wasn’t for the witness statements and the officer’s keen observations, this case would not have been resolved so quickly. We appreciate the support of the community and their willingness to share valuable information with us.”

The case has been referred to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Tom Downing
Police Captain
 

Press Release
January 24, 2012

On January 23, 2012 at approximately noon the Susanville Police Department responded to Main St. (S.R. 36) in front of Lassen High School for a vehicle versus pedestrian collision.

Through the course of the investigation we learned that a seventeen year old Susanville boy, driving a 1998 White Ford Ranger, was stopped in the westbound #2 lane of Main St. for a red light at the pedestrian light in front of Lassen High School waiting for the light to turn green.

Once the light turned green, he started to proceed when a sixteen year old Susanville boy attempted to beat the traffic light and ran out in front of the vehicle from the north curb. The driver of the vehicle was unable to see the pedestrian and collided with him. The pedestrian received minor abrasions to the left elbow and complained of right ankle pain. He was transported to Banner Lassen Medical Center by SEMSA for evaluation.

Pedestrians wishing to cross Main St. are urged to use the traffic signal appropriately and to not cross the roadway when the traffic light prohibits it. Please be cautious when crossing any roadway.

Tom Downing
Police Captain
 

Press Release
January 24, 2012

On January 23, 2012 at approximately 1:40 pm the Susanville Police Department responded to Main St. (S.R. 36) at the intersection of Johnstonville Rd., and the Wal-Mart entrance for a vehicle collision.

Through the investigation on scene, officers were able to learn that Betty Jean Vickroy age 82 of Susanville, driving a 2002 Tan Chevrolet Blazer and traveling westbound on Main St. attempting to make a left turn in the Wal-Mart parking lot, when she was struck in the intersection by Dale Richard Pierce age 84 of Standish, who was driving a 2004 White Buick sedan and traveling eastbound on Main St., through the intersection.

Both parties complained of pain associated with the collision and were transported to Banner Lassen Medical Center via SEMSA ambulance for evaluation.

Early indications appear that a traffic signal violation might be the cause of the collision. Alcohol or drug use does not appear to be a factor. The case is still under investigation.

Tom Downing
Police Captain
 

Press Release
December 20, 2011

On December 17, 2011 at 45 minutes after midnight, officers from the Susanville Police Department responded to the Diamond Mountain Casino for a report of a physical altercation between two men in the parking with possible shots fired. The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office responded and provided assistance as well.

Upon arrival, the altercation had already ceased, and one of the parties had left the scene. Through an investigation, officers learned that Jack Reyes Rios age/29 of Susanville, while in the confrontation, brandished and fired a handgun. Fortunately no one was struck by the firearm.

Subsequently, Rios was arrested on several charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, negligent discharge of a firearm, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was booked in the Lassen County Jail and is being held on $15,000.00 bail.

The firearm used in this case has been located, and the investigation continues. If you have any information about this case, you are asked to contact the Susanville Police Department at (530) 257-5603. You can remain anonymous.

Tom Downing
Police Captain
 

Press Release
December 21, 2011

On December 20, 2011 the Susanville Police Department received a report of an embezzlement by a Bank of America employee. The investigation revealed that a bank teller from the Susanville branch of the bank had withdrawn approximately $60,000.00 from a customer’s bank account over a period of about two months. The victim is an 87 year old Susanville woman who banks with the local branch.

The bank teller, Kristy Lee Olson age/37 of Susanville was subsequently arrested for the theft and booked into the Lassen County Jail on five counts of forgery and financial elder abuse. She later posted the $20,000.00 and is free from custody, awaiting a court appearance.

We thank the Bank of America investigators for their swift action in reporting this case to the police. This should be a reminder to everyone to monitor the activity of your financial accounts.

The case has been referred to the Lassen County District Attorney’s office for prosecution.

Tom Downing
Police Captain
 

Press Release
December 20, 2011

On December 20, 2011 at approximately 2:40 pm the Susanville Police Department responded to Ash St. between Main St. and First St. on a vehicle versus pedestrian collision.

Through the investigation on scene, officers were able to learn that Kelli Ann Williams age/19 of Susanville was driving a 2001 Volkswagon Jetta southbound on Ash St., and collided with a pedestrian who attempted to cross the road outside the crosswalk. The collision caused major injuries to the pedestrian, who was transported initially to Banner Lassen Medical Center, then transferred to Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada for head and lower extremity trauma.

The pedestrian’s status is unknown at the time of this press release, therefore her name is being withheld at this time. The investigation is continuing.

Tom Downing
Police Captain
 

Press Release
November 7, 2011

On October 30, an officer from the Susanville Police Department responded to a runaway juvenile report. The officer later located the juvenile and noticed that she had personal property which matched the suspect description given by a witness in a previous residential burglary case.

After further investigation, officers arrested the 15 year old female from Susanville on charges related to two residential Burglaries and one attempted Burglary.

On November 4 officers arrested two female juveniles ages 13 and 14 who were also charged in the burglaries.

All of the juveniles were transported and booked in the Lassen County Juvenile Detention Facility. The investigation is on-going and the case will be submitted to the District Attorney for prosecution.
 

Press Release
October 26, 2011

On October 26, an officer from the Susanville Police Department contacted two male subjects on foot in the 1700 block of Fifth St.

During the encounter one of the male subjects, later identified as Ernest Elliott Jr., age 24 of Susanville, dropped a backpack and other personal items on the ground and began running. The officer pursued Elliott and was able to take him into custody after a short chase. Upon further investigation, officers located what they believed to be methamphetamine and marijuana in the backpack.

Elliott was arrested and transported to the Lassen County Jail where he was booked for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Paraphernalia and Delaying/Obstructing an Officer. Elliott was also booked on two Lassen County Superior Court warrants for Violation of Probation. Bail was set at $28,125 and the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney for prosecution.