Sheriff: Willits man arrested, suspected of driving stolen truck

An 18-year-old Willits man suspected of driving a stolen truck and having burglary tools was arrested by Mendocino County sheriff’s deputies, the Sheriff’s Office reported Wednesday.

The arrest followed a traffic stop of a Ford pickup because the vehicle was missing registration tags. A deputy found that the driver of the truck, Christopher France, had a suspended driver’s license, that the truck’s license plate belonged to another vehicle and that the truck had been stolen, officials said.

A search of the truck turned up two daggers hidden near the driver’s seat, a machete and a meth pipe, as well as a pair of rubber gloves and a large set of keys, according to the sheriff’s report. Deputies suspected the gloves and keys were used for committing burglaries.

France was arrested on suspicion of possessing the stolen truck and burglary tools, as well as having a dagger and drug paraphernalia. A 23-year-old Willits woman with France was arrested on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia and being under the influence.

They were booked into the Mendocino County Jail following Sunday’s arrest. France’s bail was set at $15,000, and the woman was released to appear in court.