“Immediate response times can be tough for local law enforcement officers given geographical challenges. State Parks rangers and CDFW wardens are sworn peace officers who can assist their local law enforcement partners when needed. We thank them for their public safety and law enforcement service.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
MENDOCINO – On October 24, 2024, at approximately 12:25 p.m., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 12000 block of Alderwood Road in Mendocino for a reported domestic violence incident that just occurred. A woman, 37, reported that she had been attacked, choked, and threatened with a firearm by her ex-boyfriend Riordan Wilhelmi, 41, of Mendocino, while attempting to drop off personal property after a recent break-up.
Because responding deputies were 30 miles away, additional resources from allied law enforcement agencies responded to assist. California Highway Patrol officers, California State Parks rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens arrived at the location within minutes to help secure the scene.
The victim advised dispatch that she had managed to flee the location to a safe area in the town of Mendocino. She reported the suspect’s mother was still at the scene of the occurrence, and she had been assaulted and injured as well. Neither the victim nor the suspect’s mother requested medical attention for their injuries.
Once at scene, deputies discovered that Wilhelmi had barricaded himself inside his one-room studio attached to the garage at the address. With the assistance of CHP, State Parks and CDFW providing a safe perimeter, deputies attempted to make contact with Wilhelmi at the front door to the studio. After several attempts to make contact with Wilhelmi, deputies attempted to enter the studio and discovered the door had been barricaded and secured shut. Due to the report of a firearm being involved and the violent nature of the altercation, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team responded.
While awaiting the arrival of SWAT personnel, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office detectives authored a search warrant for the residence to search for evidence related to this investigation and to arrest Wilhelmi. Wilhelmi’s mother was interviewed as a part of this investigation and denied being a victim or witness of any crimes.
Upon the arrival of SWAT personnel, Sheriff’s deputies developed a plan to force entry into the studio in order to safely arrest Wilhelmi. After several minutes of attempted negotiation and requests for Wilhelmi to exit the studio peacefully, a window to the studio was breached in order to allow a tactical drone to enter the structure and observe the interior of the room for potential threats or officer safety hazards.
The drone pilot was able to observe Wilhelmi inside the room, and SWAT operators immediately began giving verbal commands for Wilhelmi to exit the studio. Wilhelmi exited the structure through the barricaded front door and was safely taken into custody without injury or further incident.
Wilhelmi was later transported to the Mendocino County Jail in Ukiah where he was booked for the following charges: 273.5 PC – Domestic Battery, 422 PC – Criminal Threats, 245(a)(1) PC – Assault with Deadly Weapon, 594(b)(1) PC – Vandalism with damages over $400, 148(a)(1) PC – Delaying / Obstructing an Officer, and 1203.2 PC – Violation of Probation. Wilhelmi is being held on a no-bail status due to him violating the terms of his probation.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the California Highway Patrol, California State Parks, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife for their assistance with this investigation.
