Crime News — April 6, 2026
Arrests for weapons and drugs at a Fort Bragg motel, illegal encampment and gang-related parole violations in Ukiah, and a window-smashing spree in Manchester
Two men arrested at Fort Bragg motel on weapons, drug sales charges
Two Mendocino County men were arrested late Saturday following a compliance check at a Fort Bragg motel that uncovered a loaded firearm, suspected narcotics and items associated with drug sales, authorities said.
Deputies with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Fort Bragg Police Department conducted a Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS) compliance check around 10:42 p.m. April 4 on Charles Gielow III, 49, of Albion, who was reported to be staying at the Oceanside Inn on North Main Street.
When law enforcement arrived, they found the motel room door ajar. They detained Gielow, Charles Blunt, 39, of Fort Bragg, and a third person without incident. The third person was later released without charges. Authorities determined Blunt was on probation in Mendocino County.
During the contact, deputies said Gielow removed his shorts and kicked them aside. A search of the clothing revealed a loaded pistol. According to investigators, Gielow is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior convictions.
A search of the room uncovered items commonly associated with narcotics sales, including a digital scale, plastic baggies, fentanyl test strips, Narcan and drug paraphernalia. Deputies also located approximately 76 grams of suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin, based on initial testing.
Authorities said metal knuckles found in the room belonged to Blunt.
Gielow was arrested on suspicion of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, violating PRCS, possession of controlled substances for sale, possession of drugs while armed, and conspiracy. He was booked into the Mendocino County Jail and is being held without bail.
Blunt was arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled substances for sale, violation of probation, possession of metal knuckles, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy. He was also booked into the county jail and is being held without bail.
The investigation is ongoing.
Ukiah Man Arrested for Illegal Encampment, Trash
A Ukiah man was arrested Saturday after authorities said he failed to clear a large illegal encampment and accumulation of trash that created health and safety hazards along North State Street, according to a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office began receiving reports on March 26 of a sizable encampment in the 2000 block of North State Street, prompted by a nearby resident who said the site and its waste were visible from her property.
Following additional complaints, deputies contacted the occupants over several days, including 33-year-old Michael Menke of Ukiah. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Menke acknowledged he was on the property without permission and was given repeated warnings and instructions to remove his belongings and properly dispose of the trash. Authorities said he did not comply.
Deputies estimated the site contained more than 10 cubic yards of personal property and garbage, producing a foul odor and posing potential health and safety risks. Items observed included soiled bedding, clothing, food waste, plastic garbage bags, aerosol cans, lighter fluid labeled as extremely flammable, and a methamphetamine smoking device.
On April 2, deputies issued a final notice requiring the area be cleared by April 4. When they returned that day, authorities said the items remained and had been moved in a way that obstructed a public walkway along North State Street.
Menke was arrested on an unrelated warrant and, during an interview, admitted the items belonged to him. He said he had not removed them despite prior notice, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators determined the situation constituted unlawful accumulation and disposal of waste and maintaining a public nuisance under California law. Menke was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on those charges, along with the outstanding warrant for allegedly possessing a controlled substance with two or more prior convictions. Bail was set at $15,000.
The Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority was contacted to assist with removing the debris.
Anyone with information related to this incident is requested to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.
Ukiah man arrested for parole violation tied to gang-related restrictions
A Ukiah man on state parole was arrested April 4 after Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies said he violated conditions related to gang affiliation during a compliance search.
Deputies contacted Alexis Navarrete, 24, around 7:40 p.m. in the 2000 block of South State Street while conducting a parole search connected to a recent assault investigation, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said Navarrete is on active parole through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for a prior conviction of shooting at an inhabited dwelling. As part of his parole terms, Navarrete is prohibited from possessing clothing or items associated with gang affiliation and is classified as a gang offender.
During the search, deputies reported finding items consistent with gang-related paraphernalia in areas under Navarrete’s control. Based on those findings, deputies determined Navarrete was in violation of his parole conditions.
Navarrete was arrested without incident and booked into the Mendocino County Jail. His parole agent authorized a hold, and he is being held without bail.
Manchester man arrested after reported window-smashing spree
A Point Arena man was arrested April 2 after Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a person breaking vehicle windows with a metal pipe on Rancheria Road.
Deputies were dispatched around 7:24 p.m. to the 21400 block of Rancheria Road after a caller reported a man, identified only as “Randy,” was actively smashing windows. The suspect was also reported to be associated with a black vehicle.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they were flagged down and directed to an unmarked driveway. There, they observed a man walking away from a black sedan and later found him hiding in nearby bushes. Authorities identified him as Randy Pike Jr., 34, of Point Arena, who is on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS).
Because Pike had been reported to be armed with a metal pipe and was also attempting to hide, deputies drew their Tasers and ordered him to the ground. He was detained without further incident.
A search of the vehicle Pike was seen leaving uncovered drug paraphernalia used to ingest methamphetamine, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies also reported finding numerous beer cans in and around the vehicle. Pike admitted to drinking alcohol throughout the day, a violation of his PRCS terms.
While being transported to the Mendocino County Jail, Pike began to lose consciousness and told deputies he had ingested an unknown substance. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital and later medically cleared before being booked into jail.
Pike was booked on suspicion of violating PRCS and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The reported vandalism remains under investigation.