May
27, 2002
By
Mark Hedges, The Daily Journal
Ukiah Daily News
An arson fire burned the Ukiah Cannabis Club Saturday morning, causing
extensive damage and blackening neighboring structures as well. A
man who told The Daily Journal he was upset with the Ukiah Cannabis
Club, claiming club members owed him money for the crop of marijuana
he grew for them, was arrested at the scene.
The
flames spread into the attic of the Forest Club, and the China Chef
and North State Cafe also sustained smoke damage.
It
was around 9 a.m. when Ukiah Police officers responded to a silent
burglary alarm at the pharmacy of Millie Lehrman at 247 N. State St.
While it maintained a very low profile, the pharmacy is generally
known as the contact site for the Ukiah Cannabis Club.
The
first officer on the scene saw the front door had been forced open,
but was barricaded shut again with a TV set, and there was smoke coming
from the interior.
The
officer called for the Ukiah Fire Department to respond. The officer
and store manager entered the business and began extinguishing a small
fire, when they heard a male voice in the back of the store.
They
called for the individual to come out from the back, but he refused,
so the officer and manager waited at the door for additional officers
and firefighters to arrive.
The
man in the back of the store, later identified as William Howard Ryan,
51, of Willits, telephoned UPD dispatch, saying he was armed and that
he would shoot anyone coming to get him.
Officers
and firefighters heard muffled shots from the interior of the store.
The building was surrounded by Ukiah Police officers, Mendocino County
sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol officers.
Ryan
ultimately attempted to flee out the rear of the store, where he was
taken into custody.
Firefighters
from the Ukiah Fire Department, Ukiah Valley Fire District, and California
Department of Forestry then extinguished the flames inside the building
and prevented the destruction of surrounding buildings. Ukiah Police
detectives and Ukiah Fire Department personnel investigated the area,
which had extensive fire damage.
Additional
assistance was provided by CHP aviators, CDF law enforcement, and
California Department of Fish & Game officers. Two off-duty UPD
officers also responded to handle incoming calls for service while
the on-duty officers were working this crime scene.
A
spokesman for the fire units that battled the blaze said the Cannabis
Club was "wiped out."
Ryan
was arrested on charges of arson, burglary and possession of hashish.
He was interviewed by The Daily Journal just days ago when he claimed
he was going to sue the Ukiah Cannabis Club for the money he says
he is owed.
Some
witnesses said they saw Ryan enter the building with what looked like
grenades strapped to his body. There were also reports the suspect
carried a weapon, though that was not corroborated by police.
A
spokesperson for the Forest Club said the bar would be closed for
a short time only.
