Family dispute in Potter Valley ends with armed robbery and arrest

The following is a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in court and all persons described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

On 08/20/2024, at approximately 8:34 a.m., officers from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to contact the victim of a possible theft in the Potter Valley area.

Officers arrived on scene and made contact with the 46-year-old female victim. They learned that the woman was involved in a domestic dispute with her boyfriend, identified as 55-year-old Mark Edward Anastasiou.

During the argument, Anastasiou stole the woman’s loaded gun and pointed it at her face. Anastasiou then stole numerous items belonging to the woman, including the gun and a cell phone, while continuing to point the loaded gun at her.

Officers searched the area and located a vehicle matching the description of Anastasiou’s vehicle parked along Eel River. Officers made contact with Anastasiou as he sat in the vehicle and noticed a glass methamphetamine pipe in plain view.

The vehicle was searched and the woman’s stolen loaded firearm and cell phone were found.

It was decided to prohibit Anastasiou from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Anastasiou was eventually arrested for 245(a)(2) PC (Assault with a Firearm), 211 PC (Robbery), 487(D)(2) PC (Aggravated Larceny of a Firearm), 25850(C)(6) PC (Carrying a Loaded Firearm While Not Owned), 29800(a)(1) PC (Possession of a Firearm by a Felon), 30305(A)(1) PC (Possession of Ammunition by a Felon), and 11354(a) HS (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia).

Anastasiou was subsequently taken to the Mendocino County Jail where he was held on $150,000.00 bail.