Category: Crime

“The driver fled on foot and tried to hide in some brush. A Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Handler was one of the pursuing Deputies and provided a loud announcement that he would deploy his K9 partner “Bo”, if the driver did not surrender.”

“Mendocino County Deputies were in the area of Tabor Lane when they observed a vehicle drive across an open field toward a travel trailer located in the open field on Tabor Lane near the intersection of Henderson Lane in Covelo, California. “

“According to a witness, the woman was pumping gas, when three young males drove up in a silver sedan. One of the males physically assaulted the woman. Bystanders intervened. And the males drove away from the station. But, as they were leaving, one pointed a handgun out the vehicle’s window and fired one shot which struck the woman in the leg.”

The suspect then got into a black, newer model, four door, BMW sedan and fled westbound on 4th Street. As the suspect was fleeing in the vehicle, he discharged the firearm several more times.

Samson Musselini Joaquin now faces charges of kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm in connection with the couple’s disappearance.

Traci Bland and Kyle McCartney were said to have been attacked on November 19 after arrival at an Oak Lane property in Covelo. Four days later, two bodies were discovered alongside Hulls Valley Road.