UPDATE: Suspect in Boonville Armed Robbery Located, Arrested in New York
UPDATE (Fri. December 16, 2022) — The Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release earlier this week that the primary suspect in the case has been identified as 22-year-old Matias Tomas Vietto.
Investigators learned that Vieto was in hiding in New York and had plans to return to his home country of Argentina.
After an arrest warrant was secured, New York authorities intercepted Vietto at the airport and took him into custody. He is set to be extradited to Mendocino County.
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The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into a recent armed robbery in Boonville.
Investigators are seeking the identity of the suspect in the alleged armed robbery of Mi Esperanza Market on the afternoon of Friday, December 9.
According to a media release by the Sheriff’s Office, the suspect — possibly an adult male — entered the business with a facial covering and a handgun, and left on foot with around $20,000.
Though authorities responded to the call within minutes, the suspect had fled and was not located during a canvas of the area, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Video surveillance later obtained from the store reportedly shows the suspect clearly pointing a weapon at the cashier as they enter, and motioning for the cashier to be quiet as they approached the counter.
Due to the investigation being active and ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office is declining to release further details.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tipline at 707-234-2100 or the WeTip Anonymous Crime Reporting Hotline at 800-782-7463.
