Armed men allegedly hold five hostage, steal money, marijuana
About 4 p.m. on Sept. 19, four armed men held five victims at gunpoint, including a six-year-old child, while demanding money. According to a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release, Deputies responded to the Black Oak Ranch, located in the 49000 block of N. Highway near Laytonville, to a report of an armed robbery. Because of the nature of the call, additional law enforcement personnel from the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Mendocino County InterAgency SWAT team also responded to assist with the incident.
On arrival, law enforcement personnel met with the victims and learned that two days earlier, Tyler Bagliere, 28, of San Jose, and his father Louis Bagliere, 73, of San Jose, and two other men identified as Lathiaro White, 26, of Oakland, and Anthony Watson, 30, of San Jose, went to the location armed with firearms. The men held a number of victims at gunpoint while demand money. “A firearm was discharged at or near the victims during this incident. The suspects later left the property after stealing approximately 20 pounds of marijuana, and stated they would return in two days,” said the press release.
On Sept. 19, Tyler Bagliere returned to the same property with three other men who were later identified as Christopher Stewert, 30, of San Jose, Deangelo Villalona, 25, of San Jose, and an unidentified adult male. Stewert and Villalona were armed with firearms and the unidentified suspect reportedly discharged a firearm at or near the victims while demanding payment from them. The victims at the scene were identified as three men from Redwood City, Fremont and San Rafael; one woman from San Rafael; and a six-year-old female child from San Rafael. All were held at gunpoint for several hours.
“During the continuing investigation, law enforcement personnel stopped a van that was attempting to leave the area. Louis Bagliere, Lathiaro White, and Anthony Watson were located in the van along with multiple assault rifles equipped with largecapacity magazines and a loaded handgun,” stated the press release. “Evidence was located at the scene of the robberies that corroborated the victim’s statements regarding the incidents.” During the investigation, it was determined that none of the victims were injured during either incident.
The following suspects were arrested for the listed charges in relation to this investigation:
Tyler Bagliere: Armed robbery in concert, assault with a deadly weapon, felony child endangerment, and criminal threats.
Lathiaro White: Armed robbery in concert, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, and being armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Anthony Watson: Armed robbery in concert, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, and being armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Christopher Stewert: Armed robbery in concert, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, and being armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Deangelo Villalona: Armed robbery in concert, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, and being armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Louis Bagliere: Armed robbery in concert and criminal threats. Louis Bagliere was cited and released during this investigation due to per-existing medical conditions.
Investigators with MCSO requested a bail enhancement on the other arrested suspects, which was granted for a no-bail status. Tyler Bagliere, White, Watson, Stewert, and Villalona were transported to the Mendocino County Jail where they were ultimately held on a no-bail status.
There was another unidentified adult male suspect who was not apprehended during the investigation. The suspect reportedly fled the area on foot and was not located until the next day. According to a follow up press release, on Sept. 20 at approximately 12:45 p.m., and MCSO deputy was informed that citizens in the 50400 block of N. Highway 101 near Laytonville had located and detained a man fitting the description of the outstanding suspect.
Deputies responded and after an investigation, they determined the man, identified as David Lee Edmonds, 40, of San Jose, was the wanted suspect. He was taken to Adventist Health Howard Memorial hospital for medical clearance and then transported to Mendocino County Jail.