Antioch trio arrested in Willits – All three have extensive histories
Caroline Kendzior, Claude Turman, and John Ruybal Jr., Mendocino County booking photos
A woman and two men from Antioch, in the Bay Area’s Contra Costa County, were caught by Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies in Willits after they were seen taking mail from a roadside mailbox.
Where Ridgewood Road meets Eastside Road in Willits
According to the Sheriff’s office, they received a call Tuesday, October 27 at about 3 pm reporting a vehicle on rural Ridgewood Road, near Eastside Road, in southeast Willits. The caller said the occupants had taken mail from a box along the side of the road, and provided a description of the car. Responding deputies found the car, and pulled them over in an “investigative stop.”
When the deputies spoke to the woman driving, they immediately detected the strong odor of marijuana seeping from the interior of the car. They identified the three people inside as Caroline Florence Kendzior, 51, Claude A. Turman, 48, and John Lawrence Ruybal Jr., 40, all from Antioch. A quick records check showed that Turman had two no-bail warrants from Contra Costa County out on him from a past arrest for possession of a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Turman had been arrested a year prior, on October 14, 2014 by Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies for possession ammunition and burglary tools, and on October 11 by Livermore Police for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. In July of that year he was also charged with possessing a controlled substance, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a hypodermic syringe, along with a probation violation.
Available records going back ten years show that Turman was arrested for violating his existing parole in August 2005 . In March of 2007 he was charged with prowling on private property, and in September 2008 he was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, and riding a bike in that condition. Records show at least five arrests in 2010 on drug charges including possession and intoxication, burglary, and vandalism, along with parole violations. He had at least four arrests in 2011 on drug and paraphernalia offenses.
In 2012 he faced more drug charges, along with a September arrest for burglary, possessing burglary tools, a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy. He had two more drug related arrests in 2013 prior to his more recent charges.
Available records going back to 2008 show John Ruybal was charged that year for driving on a suspended license, and possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia. He was arrested in April of 2009 for another suspended license charge, and for theft of utility services. He faced drug possession and a probation violation in December that year. Then in March of 2010 he was charged with grand theft, burglary, possession of stolen property, and probation violations.
He was charged with driving under the influence in December of 2013, and once again with grand theft, burglary, and possession of stolen property in September 2014. More recently, on August 30 of this year, he was arrested by Oakland Police at an apartment in the Arroyo Viejo area and charged with grand theft, burglary, possession of stolen property, and embezzlement of a rented vehicle. Details of that curious charge were not available. Two days later Alameda police charged him with a DUI.
Caroline “Carrie” Kendzior does not have as extensive a record as her two compatriots, but she faced some serious charges as well. In August of 2010 she was arrested for vehicle theft, possession of a dangerous weapon, burglary tools, and a controlled substance. Then in April of 2013 she was charged with cultivating marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia. She did, however, earn her Bail Agent’s license in June of 2014, to work for Antioch Bail Bonds on Spaulding Street.
After identifying the three occupants and detecting the presence of marijuana smoke, the deputies conducted a more thorough search of the car. They found an assortment of drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, and of course marijuana. They also located a firearm and several pieces of mail from local addresses. The car also held tools useful in prying open stubborn doors and locks.
All three were arrested and booked at the Mendocino County Jail. Caroline Kendzior was charged with possession and transportation of a controlled substance, possessing stolen property, a firearm while in possession of controlled substances, and possession and transportation of controlled substances for sale. Her bail was set at $35,000.
Claude Turman was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon and while possessing controlled substances, and for his outstanding warrants. He is being held without bail due to the warrants, and will be transferred to Contra Costa County to face their charges.
John Ruybal was charged with possession of stolen property, a controlled substance for sale, burglary tools, and for violating probation. His bail was set at $25,000.
