Full Notification

Public Information Release
April 9, 2014
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


The ongoing investigation into a burglary which occurred in February has resulted in the arrests of two Lower Lake men.

On February 16, 2014 it was reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that a residence on Big Bear Road in Lower Lake had been burglarized. The homeowner / victim had been at a local hospital with her husband, who passed away at the time of the burglary. The case drew notoriety in the local press and on social media.

The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit has been actively investigating the case since it was reported. Detectives were able to gather multiple statements from various neighbors in the area and served search warrants at two Lower Lake residences. A neighbor located some of the drawers to a jewelry box which had been taken during the burglary. The drawers were thrown off a bridge on Big Bear Road. Another neighbor told detectives that one of the suspects had admitted to participating in the burglary and was laughing as he explained how he kicked in the front door. Through the investigation detectives were able to recover a ring and a bracelet belonging to the victim. They were also able to identify two suspects responsible for the theft.

On April 7, 2014 arrest warrants were issued by the Lake County Superior Court for the two suspects. They are identified as 50 year old Patrick William Mullen and 26 year old Randy Hopper, both of Lower Lake. On April 8, 2014 detectives located and arrested Mullen and Hopper for their warrants. They were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Both are currently still in custody and their bail is set at $50,000.00 each.

The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit is still attempting to locate and recover stolen property taken from the burglary. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 263-2690.