MARIPOSA COUNTY – One man has been arrested and others remain at large after a Mariposa County family was tied up and robbed at gunpoint yesterday, according to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 8:45 am, the Mariposa County Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a residence in the Mount Bullion area of Mariposa County.
The caller reported that several men had entered their home brandishing a shotgun and a handgun, tied up the occupants of the home, including three juveniles. and made off with upwards of 25 pounds of proceeded marijuana, cash and guns.
The homeowners were able to identify one suspect as Buddy Dustin, 25, of Los Banos, informing Mariposa County Sheriff detectives that Dustin had lived at the home with them in the past. Detectives then initiated a “Be On the Lookout” for Dustin, to the surrounding counties and law enforcement agencies.
The Los Banos Police Department was able to locate Dustin at a home in Los Banos and detained him until Mariposa County Sheriff personnel arrived.
Buddy Dustin was arrested and booked into the Mariposa County Adult Detention Facility, charged with four felonies, including Robbery in the First Degree, Kidnapping, Robbery and First Degree Burglary. His bail is currently set at $100,000.
Due to the relationship between the suspect and the victims, this does not appear to be a random act, says the Sheriff’s Office. The incident remains under investigation, and more search warrants will be issued in an effort to pursue additional suspects. Further details will be released as the investigation continues.
It is not known at this time if the robbery victims were in compliance with Mariposa County’s medical marijuana ordinance.
