Franklin Whilden accused of violating probation conditions
Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel
Fortuna Police Department personnel are asking for public assistance tonight after one of their routine probation search operations resulted in a chase and evasion by a wanted man.
At about 12:30 p.m. today, FPD cops were at the a home on the 3000 block of Church Street conducting their probation search against a resident. Upon arrival, they observed Franklin “Tyler” Whilden, 29, fleeing from the rear of the residence.
After a brief chase through the neighborhood, the suspect managed to evade FPD personnel, and he is currently being sought by police.
According to the FPD in a press statement, they were not at the home to search for Whilden, and the suspect was not a resident of the home they had arrived yet; nonetheless, the cops were well aware that the man was wanted on charges of violating the conditions of his probation, as well as on other warrants.
“Whilden has an extensive criminal history and is currently on several counts of probation in addition to the several warrants,” FPD sergeant Charles Ellebrecht stated. “He needs to be removed from our streets.”
The suspect’s previous criminal record include charges of grand theft, vehicle theft, drug possession and vandalism, in addition to the current charges of probation violation and evading a peace officer.
FPD personnel are asking community members with information on Whilden’s location to contact their Crime Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME. The cops are offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
