The massive search continues for 35 year old Aaron Basler in Mendocino County, wanted for 2 murders...
Basler is wanted in the murder of Jere Melo, and has also been connected to the murder of Matthew Coleman earlier in August...
Reports state the Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Alllman as saying there is now a warrant for Basler for the Coleman death in addition to being wanted for the Melo death...
This story has broke across the US to the east coast...and onto some soapbox blogs (Huffington Post for example)...
While it was reported in the initial reports that it was a marijuana grow that Melo was investigating for the timber company, but what was actually found was about 100 opium poppies, as verified by MCSO Lt Kurt Smallcomb on the KZYX 6 Pm News...but this aspect has not been updated in the far flung press...
Although SO Lt Smallcomb said he doesn't want the media to use the word "MANHUNT" because it IS hunting season and the goal of the MCSO is to take Basler into custody unharmed, and that the word "manhunt" might imply otherwise...
Residents are encouraged to view the photo's, lock their doors, and report any suspicious activity, and do not make contact with this wanted person.
One news paper says: (and they have 2 DIFFERNT photo's)
A disturbed Fort Bragg man being sought in the Saturday slaying of City Councilman Jere Melo is now also wanted in the Aug. 11 shooting death of land steward Matthew Coleman, based on evidence from the two crime scenes, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
Another paper says:
MCSO spokesman Kurt Smallcomb said his office suspects Aaron Bassler, 35, of shooting Melo Au.g 27, and has now obtained an arrest warrant in connection with the shooting death of Matthew Coleman on Aug. 11 "based on evidence collected at both murder scenes."
The MCSO is being assisted by officers and agents from the Fort Bragg Police Department, Willits Police Department, Ukiah Police Department, CalFIRE, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, California Fish and Game, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshall's Office, United States National Guard and the local timber industry in their search.
And according to listener supported KMUD-FM news dept:
According to a news release from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, dated September 2, 2011- (this report updates two recent murders in Mendocino County):
On August 11, 2011, Matthew Coleman was shot and killed in a remote area located near the 44000 block of North Highway One (1) near Westport, CA. On August 27, 2011, Jere Melo was shot and killed in an area approximately six (6) miles east of Fort Bragg, CA. Both victims were shot and killed while conducting duties related to their forestry management profession. Mendocino County Sheriff's Detectives are continuing to collect evidence, speaking with witnesses and conferring with both the California Department of Justice Forensic Laboratory analysts and the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office...
2 photo's of the suspect are at the KMUD-FM web site...and you can also listen to the past 6 PM Newscasts in the Archive section...
Another listener supported radio station with a 6 PM News is KZYX, which IS streamed LIVE (but not Archived)
HERE is the full text of the press release issued by the MCSO Lt Kurt Smallcomb:
On August 27, 2011, Jere Melo was shot and killed in an area approximately six (6) miles east of Fort Bragg, CA.
Both victims were shot and killed while conducting duties related to their forestry management profession.
Mendocino County Sheriff's Detectives are continuing to collect evidence, speaking with witnesses and conferring with both the California Department of Justice Forensic Laboratory analysts and the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office.
Based on evidence collected at both murder scenes during this ongoing investigation, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for Suspect Aaron Bassler in connection with the shooting deaths of victims Matthew Coleman and Jere Melo.
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office personnel,with the assistance of officers and agents from the Fort Bragg Police Department, Willits Police Department, Ukiah Police Department, CalFIRE, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, California Fish and Game, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshall's Office, United States National Guard and the local timber industry are continuing their search efforts in an attempt to apprehend Suspect Aaron Bassler.
sources: Press Democrat Ukiah Dialy Journal KMUD-FM KZYX-FM MCSO
Basler is wanted in the murder of Jere Melo, and has also been connected to the murder of Matthew Coleman earlier in August...
Reports state the Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Alllman as saying there is now a warrant for Basler for the Coleman death in addition to being wanted for the Melo death...
This story has broke across the US to the east coast...and onto some soapbox blogs (Huffington Post for example)...
While it was reported in the initial reports that it was a marijuana grow that Melo was investigating for the timber company, but what was actually found was about 100 opium poppies, as verified by MCSO Lt Kurt Smallcomb on the KZYX 6 Pm News...but this aspect has not been updated in the far flung press...
Although SO Lt Smallcomb said he doesn't want the media to use the word "MANHUNT" because it IS hunting season and the goal of the MCSO is to take Basler into custody unharmed, and that the word "manhunt" might imply otherwise...
Residents are encouraged to view the photo's, lock their doors, and report any suspicious activity, and do not make contact with this wanted person.
One news paper says: (and they have 2 DIFFERNT photo's)
A disturbed Fort Bragg man being sought in the Saturday slaying of City Councilman Jere Melo is now also wanted in the Aug. 11 shooting death of land steward Matthew Coleman, based on evidence from the two crime scenes, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
Another paper says:
MCSO spokesman Kurt Smallcomb said his office suspects Aaron Bassler, 35, of shooting Melo Au.g 27, and has now obtained an arrest warrant in connection with the shooting death of Matthew Coleman on Aug. 11 "based on evidence collected at both murder scenes."
The MCSO is being assisted by officers and agents from the Fort Bragg Police Department, Willits Police Department, Ukiah Police Department, CalFIRE, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, California Fish and Game, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshall's Office, United States National Guard and the local timber industry in their search.
And according to listener supported KMUD-FM news dept:
According to a news release from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, dated September 2, 2011- (this report updates two recent murders in Mendocino County):
On August 11, 2011, Matthew Coleman was shot and killed in a remote area located near the 44000 block of North Highway One (1) near Westport, CA. On August 27, 2011, Jere Melo was shot and killed in an area approximately six (6) miles east of Fort Bragg, CA. Both victims were shot and killed while conducting duties related to their forestry management profession. Mendocino County Sheriff's Detectives are continuing to collect evidence, speaking with witnesses and conferring with both the California Department of Justice Forensic Laboratory analysts and the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office...
2 photo's of the suspect are at the KMUD-FM web site...and you can also listen to the past 6 PM Newscasts in the Archive section...
Another listener supported radio station with a 6 PM News is KZYX, which IS streamed LIVE (but not Archived)
HERE is the full text of the press release issued by the MCSO Lt Kurt Smallcomb:
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office
Press Release
(Title of Crime/Incident) 187PC - Murders
Press Release
(Title of Crime/Incident) 187PC - Murders
Report Number:
11-1856 and 11-2000 Coroner Number:
Crime/Incident:
187PC - Murders Location:
North Coast Mendocino County - Fort Bragg/Westport, CA Whenate:8/11/11 and 8/27/11Time:1000 Victim Info : Name AgeStreet Address City, StateVictim #1: Matthew Coleman44Albion, CAVictim #2: Jere Melo69Fort Bragg, CASuspect Info: Name AgeStreet Address City, StateSuspect #1: Aaron Bassler35Fort Bragg, CA Written by: Captain Kurt Smallcomb Synopsis:On August 11, 2011, Matthew Coleman was shot and killed in a remote area located near the 44000 block of North Highway One (1) near Westport, CA.On August 27, 2011, Jere Melo was shot and killed in an area approximately six (6) miles east of Fort Bragg, CA.
Both victims were shot and killed while conducting duties related to their forestry management profession.
Mendocino County Sheriff's Detectives are continuing to collect evidence, speaking with witnesses and conferring with both the California Department of Justice Forensic Laboratory analysts and the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office.
Based on evidence collected at both murder scenes during this ongoing investigation, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for Suspect Aaron Bassler in connection with the shooting deaths of victims Matthew Coleman and Jere Melo.
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office personnel,with the assistance of officers and agents from the Fort Bragg Police Department, Willits Police Department, Ukiah Police Department, CalFIRE, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, California Fish and Game, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshall's Office, United States National Guard and the local timber industry are continuing their search efforts in an attempt to apprehend Suspect Aaron Bassler.
sources: Press Democrat Ukiah Dialy Journal KMUD-FM KZYX-FM MCSO
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