MENDOCINO CO., 8/7/17 — A man was shot to death Sunday in Navarro, and a suspect is in custody, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said. The victim’s name has not been released.
Michael Jay Saner, 58, of Navarro was arrested after a short manhunt and booked into the Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of murder. Deputies said the victim, a 55-year-old man, died of a shotgun wound. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the two men knew each other and had previously been roommates. Investigators said the killing may have stemmed from a property dispute or personal conflict.
Deputies were called around 7 p.m. Sunday to a reported shooting in the 2700 block of Sea Biscuit Drive. Medical personnel responded, but the victim was dead when deputies arrived.
Witnesses at the scene provided deputies with information about Saner and his vehicle, prompting a two-hour manhunt. Additional tips were called in during the search. Around 9:20 p.m., deputies found Saner in his vehicle at Chapel of the Redwoods Baptist Church in Comptche and took him into custody without incident.
Sheriff’s detectives and an investigator from the district attorney’s office responded to the scene and are continuing the investigation.
DATE: “August 7, 2017“
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number: 2017-22811
Crime/Incident: 187(a) PC [Murder]
Location: 2700 Block Sea Biscuit Drive, Navarro Ca.
Date of Incident:
08-06-2017Time:6:52 PM
Victim(s): Adult Male, 55 years of age, Navarro CA
Suspect(s): Michael Jay Saner, 58 year of age, Navarro CA
Written By: Detective Sergeant Andrew Porter
Synopsis: On August 6th, at approximately 6:52 PM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a reported shooting that occurred in the 2700 Block of Sea Biscuit Drive, in the Rancho Navarro sub division of Navarro.
Responding deputies arrived and found medical personnel staging in the area. Deputies entered the scene and found the victim, a 55 year old male, deceased from a possible gunshot wound.
Witnesses at the scene identified 58 year old Michael Saner, of Navarro as the suspect and his description and vehicle information were broadcast county wide. The Sheriff’s Office received several tips, including one from local emergency medical personnel who had responded to the call. The tip indicated that a vehicle matching the suspects vehicle had been seen in the area of Flynn Creek Road traveling towards Comptche.
A Mendocino County Sheriff’s Detective as well as patrol deputies who were responding to the original scene checked the area of the Redwood Church in the 31200 Block of Comptche Ukiah Road and located the suspect vehicle. The suspect was located inside his vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect was subsequently booked in the Mendocino County Jail for homicide. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Detectives assisted by an Investigator from the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation.
The victim and suspect were known associates and may have been involved in a dispute over property ownership.
Any persons with knowledge of this case are encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Approved by: Lieutenant Shannon Barney
Here is a blow by blow of events as they happened from our colleague at Mendocino Sports Plus, who followed the events on the scanner yesterday evening:
And here is the post in which the arrest occurs: