Mendocino County Authorities Locate, Arrest Man Suspected of Attempted Murder
“Since 01-14-2024, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies have made continued efforts to locate and arrest Michael Jones at multiple locations in the greater Fort Bragg area, City of Fort Bragg, and the Willits area.
On the afternoon of 02-22-2024, Jones was observed operating a vehicle on a property in the 29000 block of Highway 20 near Fort Bragg, CA. When Deputies arrived and attempted to contact Jones, he immediately fled on foot into the woods and was not located at that time. A search of the vehicle that Jones was driving was conducted and a loaded sawed-off shotgun was located. A report was taken for 29800 PC (Felon in Possession of a Firearm), 30305 PC (Felon in Possession of Ammunition), 33215 PC (Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun), and 148 PC (Resisting Arrest) and was forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
During the evening of 04-03-2024, Deputies attempted to stop a pickup associated with Jones in the 800 block of Coast Street in Willits, CA. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Rachael Hunt (age 38 from Fort Bragg, CA), was aware that Jones was wanted and she assisted Jones by driving the pickup into an area where he could make an easier escape on foot to elude capture. Deputies gave chase to Jones but were unable to arrest him that night. Hunt was arrested for a local felony warrant, and additional charges of 32 PC (Aiding a Wanted Person), 11377 H&S (Possession of a Controlled Substance), and 11364 H&S (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia). Hunt was transported and booked into county jail, where her bail was set at $30,000.
On the afternoon of 04-09-2024, Deputies developed information that Jones was staying at a residence in the area of the 22000 block of Eastside Road in Willits, CA. A search warrant was approved to enter the residence at the location to apprehend Jones. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Deputies and allied Law Enforcement Officers went to the property to serve the warrant and arrest Jones. As law enforcement personnel were entering the property, Jones fled on foot from a travel trailer. Sheriff’s Office canine “JET” was deployed and after a short distance, Jones surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. During the search incident to arrest, Jones was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Jones was transported and booked into county jail for 3056 PC (Parole Hold Warrant), 11377 H&S (Possession of a Controlled Substance), and 148 PC (Resisting Arrest). Due to Jones’s parole status, he is being held without bail.
All cases, including the original attempt murder case from January of 2024, have been forwarded to the Mendocino County District Attorney for prosecution.”
