MENDOCINO Co., 10/27/17 — A late night weed robbery in Brooktrails led to a dramatic chase through Willits and the arrest of three young men from Indiana — one additional suspect remains at large. The three suspects, Michael Deangelo Taylor, 24, of Split Rock, IN, Diontae Stephvon Wright, 24, also of Split Rock, and Christopher Deuane Bradford, 24, Indianapolis, IN, allegedly robbed the residents of a house in the 23600 Block of Primrose Rd. in Brooktrails. According to the victims the the men robbed them of their cannabis, and forced them into a closet, at gunpoint. Law enforcement was contacted, after the robbers had left, and a chase ensued, with three suspects caught in different parts of Willits. About 20lbs. of weed were found in their car. They were booked on charges of kidnapping and armed robbery.
Additionally Hugo Mercado, 24, also of Indianapolis is suspected of participating in the crime and remains at large.
Here’s the press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:
DATE: “October 27, 2017”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number: 2017-31567
Crime/Incident: 209(b)(1) PC [Kidnapping]; 211 PC [Robbery]; 12022.5 (a)(1) PC [Armed with a firearm in comission of a felony.]
Location: 23600 Block of Primrose Drive, Willits. Ca
Date of Incident: 10-27-2017
Time: 1:24 AM
Victim(s): 1) Sally Ann Gurule, 64, Willits Ca
2) Van Slagle, 39; Willits, Ca
3) Justin Slagle, 44 Willits, CaSuspect(s): 1) Michael Deangelo Taylor, 24 year old male, Split Rock Indiana
2) Diontae Stephvon Wright, 24 year old male, Split Rock Indiana
3) Christopher Deuane Bradford, 24 year old male, Indanapolis Indiana
4) Hugo Mercado 24 year old, Indianapolis IndianaWritten By: Detective Sergeant Andrew Porter
Synopsis: On October 27th at 1:24 AM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were summoned to a residence in the 23600 block of Primrose Drive (Brooktrails) Willits, for a report of an armed robbery. The victims reported that 3 African American Male adults, driving a “Burnt Orange” Jeep SUV had robbed them at gunpoint, forced them at gunpoint into a closet, and stole marijuana from them.
As Deputies were responding, they passed a similar vehicle as it was coming onto Sherwood Road traveling towards the City of Willits. Police officers from the Willits Police Department located the vehicle, and attempted to stop it. The vehicle fled and a vehicle pursued ensued. Several suspects exited and fled from the vehicle on Center Valley Road near Bray Road, and the vehicle continued on to where it stopped in the area of South Lenore and Creekside Court in Willits, where the 2 additional suspects fled on foot.
One suspect, Diontae Wright, was apprehended in the area of the end of the pursuit, hiding in a back yard shortly after the pursuit by Willits Police Officers and Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies. A second suspect, Michael Wright, was apprehended in the 1000 block of Center Valley Road by a Willits Police Officer.
The vehicle was searched and one firearm, as well as evidence of another firearm was located, along with approximately 20 pounds of bud marijuana. While the investigation was ongoing, a Willits Police officer located a third suspect near Walker Road on Highway 101. This suspect provided a false name, and was ultimately identified as 24 year old Christopher Bradford of Indianapolis Indiana.
After further investigation, all three suspects were arrested and booked in the Mendocino County Jail. All three were charged with kidnapping, robbery, and being armed with a firearm while committing a felony. Bradford was found to have a felony warrant from Indiana for possessing a stolen firearm. The Indiana arrest warrant identified Bradford as “Armed and Dangerous”. Their bail is set at $275,000.
A fourth suspect, Hugo Mercado, was identified as being involved, and he has yet to be located. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Detectives will be seeking an arrest warrant for Mercado.
Any persons with knowledge of this case, please contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at 707-463-4086 or call the Tip Line at 707-234-2100.
Approved by: Lieutenant Shannon Barney
