MCSO: Covelo man arrested on weapons violations
On Saturday at about 4: 05 p. m., Mendocino County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 24000 block of Foothill Boulevard in Covelo, where a man had allegedly brandished a firearm at two people in the area, the Sheriff’s Office reported in a press release Monday.
While responding to the location they were advised the suspect was possibly Tiny Lewwolf Whipple, 23, of Covelo, who left the scene in a silver four- door sedan traveling toward downtown Covelo. Deputies were familiar with Whipple and later located him sitting in the driver’s seat of a silver Nissan Altima in the 76000 block of Main Street.
As the deputies walked up to the vehicle, they noticed an AK type firearm with a large capacity magazine between Whipple’s body and the center console. Whipple appeared to be sleeping but had his hand in his waistband.
Deputies attempted to get Whipple away from the firearm while giving him verbal commands. Whipple began resisting and physically fighting with the deputies, the MCSO stated.
Deputies got Whipple into handcuffs and began to walk him to the patrol vehicle, when he again began resisting causing himself and the deputies to fall to the ground.
Deputies were again able to gain control of Whipple and he was placed into a patrol vehicle. During the incident, two deputies sustained scrapes and bruising, causing one of them to seek minor medical attention.
Deputies were advised Whipple had two felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. They knew Whipple to be on formal probation with
numerous terms to include submit to search, no firearms or ammunition, and obey all laws.
A search of the vehicle revealed the AK type firearm which was found to fire in both semi automatic and full automatic modes. The large capacity magazine was found to be empty and an empty box of 7.62 ammunition was found under the seat.
In a passenger area compartment they found a small zip-lock bag with a white crystalline substance, suspected to be methamphetamine.
Whipple was transported to the hospital for a medical clearance prior to being taken to the Mendocino County Jail.
Whipple was booked into the Mendocino County Jail for 29800(A)(1) PC ( Felon possessing a firearm), 32625 PC ( Possess/ Transport a machine gun), 69 PC (Resist Law Enforcement with violence), 1203.2 PC ( Violation of probation), two felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant.
Whipple was to be held on the above charges in lieu of $250,000 bail.
The charges of 417(A) (2) PC (Brandishing a firearm), 11377(A) HS ( possession of a controlled substance), and 11350(A) HS ( possession of a controlled substance) were forwarded to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office for review of potential filing of charges.