On January 29, a lieutenant from the Sheriff's Office observed two individuals attempting a burglary at a residence in Cutten. The suspects ignored commands to stop and fled in their vehicle. The lieutenant pursued them northbound on Walnut Drive but ended the chase in a school zone for public safety reasons. A "be on the lookout" alert was issued for the suspects.
An hour later, deputies located the vehicle on Broadway Street in Eureka and initiated another pursuit. The car sped southbound on Elk River Road and was seen by a citizen on Berta Road. Deputies found the vehicle and its occupants on Valley Road. Augustus Allen Gibbens, 20, of Blue Lake, who was confirmed to be on active parole, fled into nearby woods. Issabella Lillian Malin, 22, also of Blue Lake, was detained immediately.
The search for Gibbens involved cooperation between the Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol with aircraft support, and a K-9 unit from Eureka Police Department. Gibbens was eventually found walking along Valley Road in Eureka and taken into custody at Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF). He faces charges including attempted burglary under PC 664/459, evading peace officers (two counts) under VC 2800.2, driving without a license under VC 12500(a), probation violation under PC 1203.2(a), and obstructing/resisting public officer under PC 148(a)(1).
Malin was arrested and booked into HCCF with charges of first-degree burglary under PC 459/461(a), obstructing/resisting public officer under PC 148(a)(1), probation violation under PC 1203.2(a), and accessory after the fact under PC 32.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or use their Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
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