Multiple arrests after armed robbery, car chase in Willits
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WILLITS // On October 27th just before 1:30 AM, Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at a home on the 23600 block of Primrose Drive to investigate a report of an armed robbery.
The victims reported that three men, described as African-American in ethnicity and driving a “burnt orange” Jeep, had shown up, robbed them at gunpoint (including stealing marijuana), and forced them into a closet.
Additional responding deputies passed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle on their way to the scene, and Willits PD officers later located the car and tried to stop it. The suspects fled and a pursued began, with multiple suspects jumping out of the car and trying to flee on foot on Center Valley Road.
The vehicle continued for a while, eventually coming to a stop in the South Lenore area, where two more suspects fled on foot.
One man, identified as 24-year-old Diontae Wright, was arrested after being found hiding in a backyard. A second man, identified as Michael Wright, was arrested on the 1000 block of Center Valley Road.
Officers searched the vehicle and discovered a firearm, as well as evidence another, along with approximately 20 pounds of marijuana. During the preliminary investigation, a third suspect, identified as 24-year-old Christopher Bradford, was arrested.
All three have been booked into the Mendocino County Jail on charges of “kidnapping, robbery, and being armed with a firearm while committing a felony.” As it turned out, Bradford had a felony warrant out of Indiana for possession of a stolen firearm and had been classified as armed and dangerous.
All three are in custody on $275,000 bond.
A fourth suspect, whom police identify as Hugo Mercardo, was also identified but remains at large. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies intend to seek a warrant for his arrest.
