DFG Wardens Cite Lobster Stealing Suspect

Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens cited a man for allegedly taking lobsters from others’ traps and returned the lobsters, including undersized lobsters, to the sea.

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Two wardens on a small boat patrol off Dana Point harbor Saturday night observed a small boat with no lights pulling commercial lobster traps out of the water. When the wardens approached the 12-foot boat with four men aboard and announced themselves as law enforcement, one man threw a line with a commercial lobster buoy back into the water.

After an investigation wardens cited 42-year old Yanwu Li from Rowland Heights (Los Angeles County) with four Fish and Game violations: disturbing a commercial lobster trap belonging to another person, fishing for lobster without a lobster report card in possession, possession of undersize lobster and fishing without a valid fishing license. The three other men are still suspects and may be charged at a later date.

“The California Department of Fish and Game will aggressively pursue and arrest any individuals stealing from commercial lobster traps,” said DFG Lt. Eric Kord. “Theft from these traps directly takes from the salaries of commercial fishermen, and puts the lobster fishery at further risk since many trap robbers take anything they find from the traps, including undersized lobsters.”

DFG has forwarded the citation to the Orange County District Attorney to file charges. Each count carries penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

“Commercial fishermen spend thousands of dollars on vessels, permits, trap gear, and bait to try and make a living off the lobster fishery each season,” said Rodger Healy, a commercial lobster fisherman and president of the California Lobster and Trap Fishermen’s Association. “Those stealing from lobster traps completely circumvent the lobster fishery management system and involve themselves in the illegal take of a valuable resource.”

California spiny lobsters are crustaceans that are common from Point Conception to Baja California. Lobster season generally opens the first Saturday in October through about March 15 and is carefully monitored and regulated. California spiny lobsters are slow-growing animals that biologists estimate take as long as seven years to grow to legal size. Fishermen must have a valid California fishing license with an ocean stamp, a lobster report card and a lobster gauge to measure for proper size.

Two Menlo Park Men Arrested for Spotlighting Deer

Media Contact:
Patrick Foy, DFG Law Enforcement Division, (916) 651-2084

California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens have arrested two Menlo Park men on poaching charges for shooting a deer after temporarily blinding it with a light.

In the early morning hours of Sep. 16, Warden-Pilot Gavin Woelfel was flying a DFG aircraft looking for poachers with a night vision device. He noticed two men driving slowly down a remote US Forest Service (USFS) road in the darkness while shining a light out the windows of their truck. They appeared to be spotlighting, which is when poachers shine a light into deers eyes at night. The bright light causes the deer to freeze, making it an easy shot.

From his airplane, Warden Woelfel watched two men exit the vehicle and one fire his rifle at an object off the side of the road. The man then walked off the road and fired his rifle a second time before returning to his vehicle and driving off.

Warden Woelfel monitored the vehicle as it drove back to the Dry Oak Campground in the Mendocino National Forest. Wardens Michael Pascoe, Patrick Freeling and Timothy Little, along with USFS Law Enforcement Officer Christopher Magallon, were called to the scene. When they arrived at 3:25 a.m., they located the suspects pickup and made contact with its occupants, including driver Cecundino Angel, 50, his son, Rogelio Angel Quevedo, 21, and another juvenile son. The cab of the pickup was found to contain two rifles, one pistol and a large flashlight.

Meanwhile, DFG Lt. Loren Freeman responded to the site of the shooting, where he located a freshly killed doe.

Both of the older suspects ultimately admitted to spotlighting deer and Angel admitted to killing the doe. One of the rifles in Angel’s possession was found to be stolen out of Washington.

Angel was arrested and booked into Mendocino County jail on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, spotlighting, shooting big game at night and waste of game. USFS Officer Magallon also issued Angel a citation for littering, an unsafe campfire and other assorted federal violations.

The older son, Quevedo, was cited for spotlighting and shooting big game at night.

Homewood Bear Poaching Investigation Continues

Media Contact:
Pat Foy, DFG Law Enforcement, (916) 651-2084 

Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens continue to investigate the death of a bear shot and found dead on a Lake Tahoe beach near Homewood on July 30. 

The investigating warden determined the bear was shot at close range and that the type of injury sustained by the bear is indicative of a wound that would bleed severely, leaving obvious evidence at the location where it was shot. 

The investigating warden thoroughly searched, but did not locate blood or evidence that a firearm was discharged on any of the properties surrounding the beach where the bear was found dead. Wardens continue to follow up on other leads, including many tips from the Tahoe community, and hope to resolve the case as soon as possible.

DFG appreciates public interest in this poaching crime and understands the depths of emotions it has stirred. However, rumors, false information and Internet postings that encourage citizens to take matters into their own hands have the potential to complicate this ongoing investigation.

“Residents of Homewood have every right to be outraged about this bear’s death,” said DFG Capt. Brian Naslund. “As much as we want to bring this poacher to justice, we cannot prove a poaching crime with hearsay and rumor.” 

A final report will be submitted to the Placer County District Attorney for consideration, once the investigation has concluded. 

Anyone with specific information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the bear shooter is encouraged to call DFG’s CalTIP at (888) 334-2258. Callers may remain anonymous.