Originally published as a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release –
“On 06-29-2021 at 12:56 A.M. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were on routine patrol in the 7700 block of North State Street in Redwood Valley, California.
The Deputies observed a red Pontiac with no license plates being operated on the road. The Deputies performed a traffic stop on the Pontiac and contacted the two occupants.
The driver was identified as being Nathan Ruptak from McKinleyville, California. The Deputies conducted a records check of the occupants and learned the passenger was on active CDC parole.
The Deputies had Ruptak and the passenger exit the vehicle in order to safely perform a search of the vehicle.
The Deputies located a bag containing suspected morphine pills. The Deputies continued their search and located a pair of metal knuckles inside the vehicle.
Through their investigation, the Deputies developed probable cause to believe the suspected morphine pills and the metal knuckles were unlawfully possessed by Ruptak.
Ruptak was arrested for 21810 PC (Felony – Possession of Metal Knuckles) and 11350 HS (Misdemeanor – Possession of Controlled Substance/Narcotic).
Ruptak was booked into the Mendocino County Jail, to be released after the booking process on zero bail pursuant to COVID-19 bail schedule set forth by the State of California Judicial Council.
