Full Notification

Public Information Release
September 18, 2015
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


A traffic enforcement stop conducted by a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy has resulted in one arrest for a residential burglary during a State of Emergency, the recovery of an unreported stolen vehicle, possession of burglary tools and entering a closed disaster area.

On September 17, 2015 at approximately 9:05 pm, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the evacuation area of Loch Lomond on a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The deputy contacted the driver and solo occupant, who was identified as 25 year old Jeremiah Patrick McGinnis of Cobb. McGinnis was wearing black pants and there was a black sweat shirt on the rear passenger seat. During the stop, the deputy determined the driver’s side of the SUV had just been painted white and black because the paint was still wet to the touch. The deputy further determined the SUV’s steering column ignition had been punched, and the deputy saw numerous hand tools and flashlights on the vehicle’s floorboards. McGinnis admitted painting the driver’s side of the Jeep, so it would resemble a law enforcement vehicle and he would be able to travel within the closed disaster area.

A records check revealed the vehicle’s registered owners lived in the 10000 block of Seigler Canyon Road in Lower Lake. This area is under a mandatory evacuation order and is located approximately 3/4 mile from a manned road closure. McGinnis admitted taking the SUV and other property from a residential garage located on Seigler Canyon Road. Deputies later checked the unoccupied premises of the vehicle’s registered owners and discovered evidence of a recent residential burglary.

While searching the vehicle, the deputy located a box of live ammunition, a flat screen television; a DVD player, an air rifle, an air pistol, and a drill, all of which he suspected were stolen. The deputy also located a box of spray paint, a crate filled with aerosol can solvents and a box of matches in the rear cargo area.

McGinnis is currently on summary searchable probation in Lake County for a drug offense conviction. He was arrested for theft and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, burglary during a state of emergency, first degree burglary, entering a closed disaster area, possession of burglary tools and being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.

McGinnis was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. His bail is currently set at $300,000.