UPDATE: Eureka police have arrested a suspect in the case of a man “lit on fire” near the 400 block of A Street on July 12. “Through extensive investigation, Eureka Police detectives identified 60-year-old Vaughn Pernell Jones as the suspect,” an EPD press release states, noting that Pernell was arrested on a warrant for attempted […]
arson
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Suspect in Garberville Motel Arson Arrested
A 30-year-old suspect was arrested early this morning on suspicion of arson in connection with a Monday afternoon fire at the Sherwood Forest Motel on the 800 block of Redwood Drive in Garberville that caused an estimated $750,000 in damage, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Spencer Reuben Jordan was taken into custody just […]
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Chico Man Convicted of Murdering Couple in SoHum
A Chico man was convicted Monday of double murder and other charges in connection with the shooting deaths of a couple at a marijuana farm in Southern Humboldt. “Because he committed multiple murders, a ‘special circumstance’ under California homicide law, Mr. Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole,” a Humboldt […]
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Spate of Fires Sparks Arson Concerns
Early in the morning of Sept. 19, firefighters responded to four suspicious fires in the Franklin K. Lane Grove just north of Phillipsville. “CalFire Law enforcement is investigating these incidents,” CalFire Battalion Chief Paul Savona said, noting there has been “an increase in fire activity in the Phillipsville-Redcrest area. “The community is advised to be […]
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Sheriff’s Office Asking SoHum Residents to ‘Keep an Eye Out’ for Arson Activity
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after receiving “several calls” regarding possible arson activity in Southern Humboldt around Wilder Ridge Road and Dutyville, according to a Facebook post. “Local fire departments have located multiple trees with burn scars and evidence indicating someone is trying to light trees on fire in […]
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Arcata Arson Suspect Arrested
A man suspected of setting a fire at the Intermodal Transit Facility in Arcata Sunday was arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of arson. According to an Arcata Police Department release, Brandon Jay Childers was identified using surveillance video. The 28 year old was located near the scene of the fire. The amount of damage caused […]
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UPDATE: 6 p.m. Pilot Car Available Today, Travelers Asked to ‘Be on Time’
UPDATE: A pilot car will be available at 6 p.m. today. Those looking to travel the Highway 96 stretch between Weitchpec and Hoopa are asked to: “Be on time and ready to go.” PREVIOUSLY: The Mill Creek Fire interagency management team announced today that the noon pilot car will not be running today between Hoopa […]
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Arson Suspect Arrested After Allegedly Barricading Victims Inside Home
A Myers Flat man is being jailed on suspicion of arson of an inhabited structure, false imprisonment and threats to commit a crime. According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday Michael Jay Merriman, 66, allegedly became angry with his neighbors in the area of Orchard Way and Boy Scout Camp Road when they declined […]
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No Apparent Link in Cases of Homeless Men Awaking to Flames
The recent incidents set exactly one week apart in Arcata and Eureka appeared remarkably similar at first: Homeless men sleeping on the steps of a building waking up to flames. One was severely injured while the other managed to get out of his sleeping bag before getting burned. Police department officials in the two cities […]
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UPDATE: Fitness Center Fire Investigated as Arson
UPDATE: An arson investigation is underway after investigators determined the fire that destroyed a McKinleyville fitness center being built by the Big Lagoon Rancheria was human caused, resulting in $3.3 million in damage. The building under construction on Betty Court was burned to the ground in the early morning blaze on Oct. 23. Surrounding structures […]
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Arson Suspected in Summer Street Fire
Humboldt Bay Fire investigators suspect arson was the cause of a blaze Saturday that destroyed a home in the 800 block of Summer Street, and has forwarded the case onto the Eureka Police Department. Chris Emmons, a battalion chief with Humboldt Bay Fire, declined to discuss the specifics of how his department deemed the fire […]
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Arson Suspected at Unlicensed Dispensary
Fire broke out before dawn in an Arcata residential neighborhood Monday, and firemen responded to discover the burning home was really a medical marijuana dispensary with a growing operation. And, they believe it was intentionally set ablaze. Arcata Fire District Battalion Chief Sean Campbell said a call came into the department at about 5:15 a.m. […]