Man Confronted by Store Employee for Alleged Theft Assaults Two, Says MCSO

This is a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Markas Capskis

On 02-24-2023, at approximately 6:57 PM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a report of a physical altercation near the store entrance of Keith’s Market located in the 76000 block of Highway 162 in Covelo, California.

During the investigation it was learned a person, later identified as Markas Capskis, had entered Keith’s Market and had stolen some items. Outside the store, Capskis was confronted by an employee and a Samaritan who were attacked by Capskis who was armed with a glass bottle of alcohol.

Capskis physically assaulted the employee and the Samaritan however Capskis was ultimately subdued by the employee. Unfortunately, Capskis was able to escape before Deputies arrived on scene.

Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate Capskis.

During this time, Deputies began getting additional calls involving other crimes that had been discovered.

During their investigation, it is suspected that prior to the Keith’s Market incident, Capskis had been walking south in the 79000 block of Highway 162, where Deputies received reports of vandalized businesses, a possible arson at the Round Valley Health Clinic and multiple reported burglaries.

On 02-25-2023 at about 11:00 AM, Capskis was located in Covelo and placed under arrest for the following crimes which included robbery (212.2(C) PC), assault with a deadly weapon (245(A)(1) PC), criminal threats (422 PC) elder abuse (368(B)(1) PC, felony vandalism (594(B)(1) PC) and violation of felony probation (1203.2 PC) all related to the Keith’s Market incident.

Capskis was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $50,000.00 bail.

Deputies are continuing to conduct follow up investigations into the other reported crimes and are working closely with the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority arson investigator in an attempt to determine the cause of the fire at the Round Valley Health Clinic.

A special thanks to the Round Valley Tribal Police Department for assisting in locating Capskis.