MENDOCINO CO., 7/1/26 — A Covelo woman and a man who was with her were arrested last week after an alleged attempted murder and robbery with a rifle that malfunctioned, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
Shortly after 11 a.m. Friday, Mendocino County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 23600 block of Biggar Lane in Covelo for a report of an assault, the Sheriff’s Office said. The victim was contacted and reported being assaulted by his roommate, who allegedly pulled the trigger of a rifle that malfunctioned and did not fire, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Abigail Sanchez-Santos, 39, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, attempted robbery, kidnapping and criminal threats on Friday. Benito Temis-Cortes, 31, was allegedly with Sanchez-Santos and was arrested on suspicion of possession of an assault weapon, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Sanchez-Santos had allegedly entered the victim’s room, hit him with the butt of the rifle and attempted to take his belongings before moving him outside, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Sanchez-Santos allegedly threatened to kill the victim and after the gun malfunctioned when the trigger was pulled, the victim was able to escape the property and contact law enforcement. Emergency personnel treated the victim, who had superficial injuries, sheriff’s officials said.
The Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the residence where the alleged attack occurred and called out instructions for Sanchez-Santos to come out, and she surrendered peacefully.
Sanchez-Santos and Temis-Cortes were arrested after deputies served a search warrant and found an assault weapon, which was identified by the victim as the firearm used during the alleged assault.
Sanchez-Santos is being held in Mendocino County Jail on $1,050,000 bail. Temis-Cortes was released on his own recognizance, meaning he promised to appear at future court dates.