Authorities search for suspects in Lake County home break-ins

<p>Lake County authorities said a suspected robber armed with a handgun remained at large Wednesday despite an intensive search outside Lakeport a night earlier that included a fixed-wing plane and a helicopter with infrared.</p><p>The suspect disappeared Tuesday afternoon as two alleged cohorts were stopped and arrested after a brief pursuit begun when an Upper Lake resident reported that three intruders in his home had stolen some 30 pounds of marijuana and $4,800 in cash shortly before 1 p.m., authorities said.</p><p>It was the second of two similar incidents in the county Tuesday, both involving trios of men, including one armed with a firearm, breaking into homes in search of cash and marijuana.</p><p>In an earlier case, a Loch Lomond resident was awakened at 5 a.m. by noises in his home and went out to the hallway to find three men in ski masks who quickly overpowered and assaulted him, authorities said.</p><p>Those three suspects all remained at large Wednesday, as well.</p><p>Authorities weren't saying if they suspected a connection between the two cases, but said the Loch Lomond trio stole some money, electronics and a blue Toyota minivan that was found abandoned in the Kelseyville area Wednesday morning. </p><p>No marijuana was found or taken in that case, Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Brooks said.</p><p>Firefighters provided emergency medical aid to the victim, who was later taken to St. Helena Clearlake Hospital for additional treatment of minor injuries, Brooks said. He was not admitted, he said.</p><p>In the Upper Lake case, the suspects left in a Honda Accord that was spotted by sheriff's deputies a short time later on Highway 29 near Lakeport, authorities said.</p><p>A pursuit was launched as the car turned off the highway at 11th Street and Scotts Valley Road. As the pursuit continued, the Accord struck a fence on Riggs Road, but kept going, finally stopping on Martin Street near Keck Road, authorities said.</p><p>Two men in the car were then arrested. They were identified as John Taylor Lawson and Ben Etilo, both 19, of Antiochi. Both were arrested for suspected armed robbery and conspiracy. Lawson also was arrested for suspicion of evading a peace officer, as well, authorities said. Their bail was $50,000.</p><p>A third man fled on foot toward Keck Road, near the spot where a Martin Street resident reported seeing a man running in a driveway with a handgun at 5:22 p.m.</p><p>Deputies, the CHP and Lakeport Police set up a perimeter and brought in police dogs and the CHP helicopter. But they were unable to locate the suspect and called off the search at 7:30 p.m.</p><p>The suspect has not been identified. He was described as a thin, black man about 20 years old, standing about 6-feet tall, wearing blue pants, a white T-shirt and a red hat.</p><p>Anyone who might have information about the investigations is asked to call the Lake County Sheriff's Office at (707) 262-4200.</p>