Deputies recover stolen items from Ukiah burglary
According to case information released by the LCSO, on Wednesday March 17 at approximately 8 AM, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were contacted by the Ukiah Police Department. The Ukiah Police Department had been called regarding a burglary that had occurred in the City of Ukiah and the victim had located one of the stolen items in an unpopulated area on Fulton Road in Lucerne.
The deputies went to the location on Fulton Road where they found a Keystone travel trailer that was not hooked to any utilities. The deputies talked with two occupants of the trailer, John Wesley Buckhanan, 37, of Ceres and Rochelle Ellene Slaybaugh, 32, of Ceres. A records check showed Buckhanan had a felony arrest warrant out of Stanislaus County related to stolen property and was placed under arrest for the warrant.
According to law enforcement, further investigation also revealed that that travel trailer was reported stolen out of Stanislaus County. Deputies searched the trailer and surrounding area and found numerous tools that were reported stolen by the victim in Ukiah. The victim from Ukiah was able to come to the Fulton Road location, identify the items that were stolen, and recover them. Deputies also found a short barreled shotgun, a handgun, and ammunition for various guns, miscellaneous rifle parts, burglary tools, and small amounts for Heroin and Methamphetamine.
Buckhanan was taken to and booked at the Lake County Jail on charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Stolen Property, and Possession of Controlled Substances. Buckhanan remains in custody related to his warrant and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Slaybaugh was arrested and taken to the Lake County Jail where she was booked on the charge of being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance.
The Sheriff’s Office is also requesting the District Attorney seek additional charges against Slaybaugh for Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of a Short Barreled Shotgun, and Possession of Controlled Substances. Due to zero bail rules she was not able to be held on these charges.
Sheriff’s Detectives will be attempting to identify victims for additional items that were recovered and believed stolen. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to take a moment when you purchase items to document serial numbers. This can be easily done by taking a photo or video with a cell phone. This will assist law enforcement with identifying and returning property if it is unfortunately stolen.