Tehama County Sheriff’s deputies Friday identified three men suspected in a medical marijuana robbery that left one man dead and led to a high-speed chase and a day-long manhunt. Alan Duane Doulphus Jr., 26, Chase Alan Doulphus, 23, and Roger Bounnhaseng, 31, all of Fresno, are suspected of robbing a medical marijuana grow on the 15000 block of Highway 36, about 12 miles west of Red Bluff, Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said today.
A fourth man is still sought, but it is not known if he was involved in the robbery, deputies said.
During the robbery, Keo Oudone Vannarath, 37, of Redding, was shot. He died a short time later at about 8 a.m. Thursday.
Johnston said Alan and Chase Doulphus and Bounnhaseng went to a Vannarath’s Red Bluff area residence Thursday morning to steal marijuana.
Vannarath, along with two others, were harvesting a crop of medical marijuana when the trio approached, armed with a shotgun, semi-automatic rifle and a pistol, Johnston said.
Deputies said Vannarath was shot as he fled.
Johnston said the suspect trio drove away in a champagne-colored sedan.
Vannarath’s roommates drove him into Red Bluff and rendezvoused with deputies and Red Bluff Police officers at the AM/PM store on North Main Street in Red Bluff, Johnston said. He said Vannarath died despite life saving efforts.
Deputies then sent out an alert to authorities to be on the lookout for the sedan, Johnston said. He said a short time later, the vehicle was spotted by a worker with the California Department of Transportation in a construction zone on Highway 36.
Deputies said a California Highway Patrol officer found the vehicle on Platina Road and a pursuit ensued. The chase reached speeds of more than 100 mph on the road. The vehicle crashed shortly after going onto Clear Creek Road at about 11 a.m., deputies have said.
Johnston said Alan and Chase Doulphus were arrested at the wreck. A large amount of marijuana was found in the car, he said.
Chase Doulphus was taken to Mercy Medical Center for injuries he received in the crash.
Bounnhaseng, the third robbery suspect, and another man who has not been identified, ran away from the wreck.
Authorities then launched a massive manhunt that sent three schools into lockdown and caused the evacuation of landfill workers.
About 5:30 p.m., two people reported seeing Bounnhaseng near Nedra Lane. Johnston said deputies arrived and took him into custody without any struggle.
All three suspects in custody face charges of transporting marijuana, possessing marijuana and felony fleeing, Johnston said. Bounnhaseng and Alan Doulphus were taken to the Tehama County Jail. Chase Doulphus was treated at Mercy Medical Center. He was booked at the jail Friday evening.
Johnston said an open count of murder is also expected as deputies continue to investigate Vannarath’s death.
Deputies said they are still looking for the fourth man, described as black and about 5 feet 9 inches tall. They said he was wearing a red and black shirt and basketball shorts.
Johnston said he doesn’t think the fourth man is connected to the robbery though his role in the incident is unclear.
“We’re working to figure that out,” Johnston said.
Alan and Chase Doulphus have been arrested for possession of marijuana in Fresno, according to county court records. Records also show Bounnhaseng was arrested in 2007 for disturbing the peace.
A week prior to his death, Vannarath had been scheduled to stand trial in Shasta County in December on charges of possessing and cultivating marijuana for sale.
