Fort Bragg search 'going until something breaks'

FORT BRAGG — The search for Aaron Bassler, who is wanted on suspicion of murder in two North Coast slayings, continued in the vast forests east of Fort Bragg Saturday morning.

Patrol cars came and went from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Fort Bragg substation, which was closed to the public but busy with activity at the start of the long holiday weekend. A large navy blue sport utility vehicle left the station carrying officers wearing camouflage.

"We're still searching for him, they're still actively doing it," said Sergeant Mike Dygert.

Dygert could not say how many deputies and officers were continuing the search. More than two dozen have been out in the rugged terrain searching for clues since last Saturday, when Fort Bragg councilman and long-time forester Jere Melo was reported shot.

Bassler, 35, is now also a suspect in the Aug. 11 slaying of Matthew Coleman, 45, in a remote section of ranchland north of Westport. Dygert said he did not know what evidence was found to connect Bassler to Coleman's death.

"Things are going until something breaks," Dygert said. "That's the way it goes."

— Cathy Bussewitz