Man shot in pot robbery in Covelo

<p>Three Southern California men were in custody Monday, suspected of trying to kill a Covelo man during a marijuana robbery.</p><p>The victim remained hospitalized Monday in an out-of-county hospital in critical condition, suffering from gunshot wounds.</p><p>Two of the suspects were arrested Sunday morning in Willits and a third, who had escaped officers initially, was found Sunday night at a Willits casino, Mendocino County sheriff’s Capt. Kurt Smallcomb said.</p><p>Deputies were called to the Chicken Ridge neighborhood east of Covelo at about 9 a.m. Sunday about a possible shooting. They found a male resident suffering from serious injuries from gunshot wounds, Smallcomb reported. The man was flown by helicopter to the hospital.</p><p>A description of three men seen leaving the area and their car was broadcast to neighboring law enforcement agencies.</p><p>Willits police officers spotted the car at about 10:10 a.m. and stopped the vehicle. One man ran and was later arrested at the casino.</p><p>Deputies arrested Darvel Blackwell, 27, of Los Angeles, Clifton Jacobs, 26, of Los Angeles and Marquis Walker, 23, of Valencia on suspicion of attempted homicide, robbery and conspiracy.</p><p>Their bail was set at $250,000 each.</p><p>The three had apparently gone to the home for a marijuana sale, investigators said. What occurred at the home remained under investigation Monday, Smallcomb said, and no further details were released.</p><p>Smallcomb said the investigation may turn to Southern California and additional suspects. He declined to release any information about the victim, saying he feared for the man’s safety.</p>