Willits man held on armed robbery charge

A Willits man who last year was arrested in connection with a Mendocino County slaying is now being held in the Lake County jail, suspected of armed robbery.

Sidney Lewis Freeman, 25, is suspected of robbing at knifepoint two girls and a woman at the Regency Inn Motel in Lakeport Saturday evening, according to the Lakeport Police Department.

The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot. Several hours later, police arrested Freeman.

Freeman and his brother, Jeremy Jason Freeman-Britton, in May 2014 were arrested in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Rosalena 'Belle' Rodriguez in Covelo. The Mendocino County District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute Freeman. DA spokesman Mike Geniella declined to provide information about the case.

Britton pleaded guilty to the murder and was sentenced to 19-years-to-life in prison.

Freeman also has prior arrests for failing to appear, marijuana sales, battery, giving false information to a peace officer and probation violation, according to the Lakeport Police Department.

He is being held in the Lake County jail on $150,000 bail.