Full Notification

Public Information Release
January 15, 2016
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


On January 14, 2016 at approximately 9:30 pm, a deputy was patrolling the Clearlake Oaks area. The deputy observed a gray Chevrolet Impala idling in the middle of the road in the 100 block of Schindler Street. A records check of the vehicle revealed that it was reported stolen.

The deputy contacted a male subject sitting in the front passenger seat, which he identified as 41 year old Matthew Alan Labrash of Lakeport. He also contacted 35 year old Fred Ralph Pearl of Upper Lake, who was at a nearby residence. Pearl admitted being the owner and the driver of the vehicle. Pearl said he purchased the vehicle from a female for $5,500. He was unable to provide a telephone number or any additional information concerning the female or any paperwork showing he was the current owner of the vehicle. The deputy noticed the vehicle was a 2015 model in new condition and that it was registered to a rental company in southern California. When the deputy asked Pearl if he suspected the vehicle might be stolen, Pearl replied that he thought he just got a great deal.

A second deputy arrived on scene to assist with the investigation. During a pat search of Labrash, one of the deputies located a glass methamphetamine pipe concealed in one of his socks. While the deputies were standing at the passenger side of the vehicle talking to Labrash, they could smell the strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle.

Inside the trunk of the vehicle deputies located a black plastic trash bag which contained four separate bags of processed marijuana. They also located a clear one gallon bag in the center console which also contained processed marijuana. In the back seat of the vehicle beneath a child’s booster seat, the deputies located a red rubber tray which contained a large amount of concentrated cannabis. The deputies located and seized a total of 3.5 pounds of processed marijuana and 2.38 pounds of concentrated cannabis from inside the vehicle and 2.2 grams of methamphetamine from the glass pipe.

Labrash claimed ownership of all the marijuana located in the vehicle and said it was for his personal use. The deputy asked why he was riding around with such a large amount of marijuana in the vehicle and Labrash stated “No comment.”

Labrash was arrested for possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Pearl was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and for committing a felony while out on bail. Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked on the aforementioned charges.