Crime Never Sleeps
Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel
Lt. Steve Knight of the Sheriff’s Office reports the HCSO has been busy with scoundrels and skullduggery, issuing no less than four releases of mayhem yesterday. We appreciate their efforts of apprehending scofflaws and keeping the public informed of criminal activity in
Humboldt County.
In addition to yesterday’s Gambling with Strangers post (it’s rare when the Sheriff’s Office puts out a 900-word release), HCSO’s Lt. Knight also reported the following incidents:
Carlotta Stabbing
On November 16 at approximately 5 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a stabbing that just occurred in the 19000 block of Highway 36 in Carlotta. When the deputy arrived he met with the 42-year-old male victim at his residence.
The victim was covered in blood and holding his hands over several fresh puncture wounds. The victim told the deputy that Terry Matlock had stabbed him during an altercation.
The victim told the deputy he was inside his residence when Matlock showed up at his home. Matlock demanded to sleep in the victim’s barn which he had on his property. When the victim told him no, Matlock punched him. A fight ensued between the victim and Matlock.
During the fight Matlock stabbed the victim several times. The victim told the deputy he struck Matlock with a metal flashlight during the fight in self defense.
The victim was treated by medical personnel at the scene and transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was treated and released.
A Be-On-The-Lookout was placed for Mr. Matlock. The Fortuna Police Department located Matlock at approximately 7 p.m. at the McDonalds in Fortuna. He was arrested by Fortuna Police for assault with a deadly weapon.
The investigating deputy responded to Fortuna P.D. and met with Matlock, who told the deputy it was self defense. Matlock was transported to a local hospital for head wounds he received from being struck in the head with a metal flashlight by the stabbing victim.
After being treated and released, Matlock was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for the Assault and Violation of Probation. His bail was set at $50,000.
Squatter’s Grow
On November 17 at approximately 5 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen stating there was a bank owned property located at 340 Fox Hill Lane in Fortuna. The citizen told the Sheriff’s Dispatcher there are currently people wandering around on the property that didn’t seem to belong there and now a chain was strung up across the driveway.
When deputies arrived at the residence with the Fortuna Police Department, no one was around. However, there appeared to be an indoor marijuana grow in the residence. Deputies attempted contact with a bank representative, however they were unable to locate anyone.
Deputies sought and obtained a Humboldt County Superior Court search warrant for the residence– and located approximately 300 pounds of processed marijuana hanging and drying in the garage and a shed in the back yard.
Deputies determined the suspect(s) had forced entry into the locked building via a back door and then re-secured it. Deputies are currently following up leads into potential suspects in this investigation.
McKinleyville Armed Robbery
On November 18 at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the victim of a robbery.
The 39 -year-old male told the responding deputies he was at the 76 Gasoline Station on Murray Road in McKinleville ( near U.S. 101) parked to the east of the store. He was standing by his white 2001 Chevy Tahoe when a black male adult came up and asked him for a cigarette.
As the victim reached for a cigarette, the suspect drew a silver colored handgun from his front sweatshirt pocket. The victim believed the gun was a .38 caliber revolver.
The suspect then ordered the victim to drive him to Clam Beach Vista Point on US 101 in McKinleyville. When the victim parked the vehicle the suspect ordered the victim to give him all his cash. After the victim gave the suspect his cash, the suspect struck the victim in the head with the gun, knocking the victim unconscious.
The victim described the suspect as a black male adult, 5’9” tall, wearing a blue sweatshirt and black pants. Deputies checked the area and were unable to locate the suspect.
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Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding these cases– or related criminal activity– is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251, or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
(Posted by Skippy Massey)
