News

A person of interest in the homicide of an 84-year-old Campton Road resident found dead in his home May 20 has been arrested on unrelated charges, the Eureka Police Department reports.

Wesley Lee Starritt, 22, was arrested by an EPD Problem-Oriented Policing Unit detective following a traffic stop May 26 while other investigators were watching his residence, which is also located on Campton Road. Starritt, who EPD reports is also a person of interest in two recent stabbings, was booked into the Humboldt County jail on suspicion of unrelated charges, including violation of probation, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

A search warrant was served at Starritt’s Campton Drive home and additional evidence collected, according to a news release.

Roger Mitchell “Mitch” Clark was found dead in his home by a relative. An autopsy conducted on May 23 confirmed his death was a homicide, EPD reports. The specific cause and details of his death are not being released at this time to “protect the integrity of the investigation,” the release states.

“Detectives are actively working to build their case. No arrest for Clark’s murder has been made at this time,” the release states. “However, we feel confident we have our suspect now in custody and that an arrest for murder will soon be made. Further details will be forthcoming following Starritt’s anticipated arrest for murder and other serious offenses.”

Read the full EPD release below: 

On May 20, 2020, at about 7:38 p.m., Eureka Police Department officers responded to the 4000-block of Campton Road for the report of an elderly male found deceased in his residence by a relative. Upon arrival, officers found 84-year-old Roger Mitchell (“Mitch”) Clark deceased, alone in his home. It was immediately evident that Clark had been murdered.

EPD Detectives and Evidence Technicians responded to process the scene. On May 23rd, an autopsy was performed on the victim. To protect the integrity of the investigation, the specific cause and details of death are not being released at this time but it was confirmed as a homicide. Search warrants have been served and evidence collected from the scene is being sent to a forensic laboratory for expedited DNA analysis.

Detectives have since canvased the neighborhood, interviewed dozens of known associates, and met with other local agencies, including the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, to review the case.

On Tuesday, May 26th, EPD Detectives identified a strong person of interest in this homicide and two other recent stabbing cases. 22-year-old Eureka resident Wesley Lee Starritt was arrested by an EPD Problem-Oriented Policing Unit Detective following a traffic stop later that evening as other investigators surveilled his residence.

He was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on unrelated charges including violation of probation, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and other offenses. A search warrant was executed at his Campton Drive residence and additional evidence collected.

Detectives are actively working to build their case. No arrest for Clark’s murder has been made at this time. However, we feel confident we have our suspect now in custody and that an arrest for murder will soon be made. Further details will be forthcoming following Starritt’s anticipated arrest for murder and other serious offenses.