The B&J Market and Ace Hardware in Manchester.
Manchester, California is one of the small coastal towns in Menocino County. It is near the Point Arena lighthouse and Manchester State Park, south of Fort Bragg and north of Gualala. Right along Highway 1, near the post office and elementary school is the S & B Market, a combination general store and Ace Hardware. Yelp fans call it the “quintessential small town General Store, having everything from hardware to beer to ice cream”. It is located in a building called “Sjoland Square”.
On Wednesday, July 23, a young man visited the S & B Market and purchased 3 boxes of ammunition. While he was there, he apparently stole cash and other personal items from some of the employees. According to the Mendocino Sheriff’s Department, deputies investigating the incident were able to identify the suspect as 26-year-old Aaron Rudd of Gualala. Rudd is a past convicted felon, and it was learned that he has an active parolee-at-large warrant out of the state of Connecticut. A “be-on-the-lookout” was issued to area law enforcement while the DA’s office reviewed the case.
Rudd was arrested in Gualala on Highway 1.
Last Wednesday, August 20, Deputies conducted a normal traffic stop in Gualala along Highway 1, and found Rudd was the driver of the car, with another male passenger along. Rudd was detained for the outstanding warrant, and his car was searched. They found a loaded .40 caliber handgun stored under the driver’s seat, along with metal knuckles, and some of the items reported stolen from the market.
Aaron Cameron Harter Rudd was arrested and booked at the Mendocino County Jail on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of metal knuckles, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, Additional charges for the suspected burglary will likely be added as well, and Connecticut authorities notified of his incarceration. Bail was set at $25,000.
