Humboldt Sentinel

Warren Sloan wanted in slaying of 19-year-old woman

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The suspect in the brutal killing of a 19-year-old in Fairfield last month was nabbed today in Fortuna.

Warren Herman Sloan III, 40, was reportedly in the Fortuna area after skipping town following the alleged stabbing in his hometown on March 31. The Fortuna Police Department worked with law enforcement in Fairfield, as well as with the United States Marshall’s Office, to locate Sloan.

At about 5:30 p.m., a patrolman observed Sloan walking along the 500 block of South Fortuna Boulevard. After he began walking towards the Six Rivers Motel, the cop made contact with Sloan and arrested him without incident.

Sloan is accused of causing the death of Cheynah Watson, originally from Brookings, Ore. Hers was the sixth homicide in Fairfield this year.

Deceased man identified as Jacob Newmaker

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

An early-morning phone call about a disturbance of the peace led to an altercation with police and the ultimate demise of a young Fortuna man today.

Jacob Robert Newmaker, 26, was pronounced dead at Redwood Memorial Hospital after he was transported there to be treated for a gunshot wound at the hands of an unnamed Fortuna Police Department officer.

It all started at about 6:10 a.m. when the FPD responded to the 1100 block of Angel Heights Drive on a call involving a male suspect who was allegedly under the influence  and banging on the reporting persons’ door and windows.

Upon responding, the cops were told that the subject had left the area on bicycle, and law enforcement caught up to the man in the area of Vista Drive and 11th Street. At first attempting to flee, the man supposedly became physically combative with the responding officer, who unsuccessfully tried to subdue him with a taser, according to a press statement by chief Bill Dobberstein.

The FPD side of the story concludes with the arrival of a second unit, who allegedly witnessed the subject continue to be physically combative. Verbal commands, control holds, pepper spray and baton strikes were all used, but were apparently ineffective, and in a violent struggle the subject grabbed one of the cops’ batons. When the subject was about to strike the officer with his own nightstick, the other cop fired his gun at the man, later identified as Newmaker.

Life saving measures were attempted and the subject succumbed to his injuries a short while later at the hospital.

Humboldt County’s Critical Incident Response Team was activated and an investigation is underway with assistance from FPD, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, Humboldt County Sherriff’s Office, Eureka Police Department and Arcata Police Department. Further assistance was provided by the Rio Dell Police Department, Cal Fire and Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department.

Nine candidates, only one seat

By Gabriele Fellows
Humboldt Sentinel

The spirit of democracy was alive and well Thursday night almost 300 miles from Sacramento.

A Congressional Candidate Forum was held at the Fortuna High School gym on March 1st where prospective office seekers spoke their peace to a zealious crowd of individuals.

A total of nine ambitious souls from all walks of life are vying for the freshly formed 2nd Congressional district which now includes Marin and parts of Sonoma County near the coast.

The California Redistricting Commission combined the 1st and 6th districts due to the retirement of Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey.

Properly aligned on stage facing a crowd of voters from all demographics, each candidate briefly introduced themselves and spoke about their diverse experience.

Four questions were posted to each candidate with a one minute window for response. Questions were provided ahead of time to help elicit succinct answers.

More than half of the candidates are from the Marin area and either hold political offices or are well healed elements of the private sector.

Randi Barton, 23, also a felon in possession of ammo

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A man stumbling into Fortuna City Hall with a bleeding stab wound led to the arrest of a young woman on the south end of Fortuna this morning.

At approximately 11:03 a.m. this morning, an unnamed 57-year-old victim came to the front counter of the Fortuna Police Department holding the right side of his neck, which was gushing blood.

According to an FPD release, the victim, whose name was withheld, said he’d been stabbed in the neck by 23-year-old Randi Elizabeth Barton, who he cohabitates with at a home on the 3400 block of Rohnerville Road.

While FPD detectives immediately provided first aid, they questioned the victim, who turned over a knife blade with the handle broken off, the implement that he had supposedly been stabbed with. He was later treated and released from Redwood Memorial Hospital.

Law enforcement responded to their home and arrested Barton without incident. She was transported to Humboldt County jail and booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a cohabitant likely to produce great bodily injury, violation of her probation, possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Chris Mell led Sheriff’s Deputies on a high speed chase earlier this week

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

With the crucial assistant of a canine, an escaped parolee and his alleged accomplice are spending the night in the clink.

Fortuna resident Christopher Glen Mell, 30, had evaded the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office in a vehicle earlier this week, and the convicted felon was also suspected of illegally possessing a firearm.

At about 4:20 p.m. today, a Fortuna Police Department detective received a tip from the Rio Dell Police Department concerning this wanted suspect, suggesting that he was at a home located at 129 Basayo Village in Fortuna.

Uniformed FPD patrol officers, along with FPD Investigation Unit detectives responded to the residence, and immediately noticed movement within a bedroom of the residence, although verbal contact with the occupants could not be established. Just afterwards, a motorist arrived at the apartment complex and told police he had responded there at Mell’s request to transport him.

With the aid of state parole agents, RDPD and HCSO deputies, law enforcement secured a perimeter around the apartment, while FPD called in sergeant Jason Kadle, their K-9 handler, to bring in ‘Zorro’ to find Mell, and after getting permission over the phone from the apartment tenant to enter, officers attempted to contact Mell at the front door.

Still refusing to communicate with the police, the officers made several verbal commands — as did their K-9 dog, whose barked notifications of his “intent to enter” apparently motivated the occupants to announce themselves and surrender, according to a press statement by sergeant Aaron Starcher.

First to be arrested was 25-year-old Fortuna resident Angela King, who was wanted on a felony arrest warrant; soon afterwards, Mell came forward and was taken into custody without further incident. Both were transported to county jail.

“When law enforcement agencies are willing to come together, share information and provide mutual aid the outcome is generally positive for the communities in which we serve,” Starcher stated. “With the assistance of each of these allying agencies we were able to make the city of Fortuna a safer place tonight and do it in a manner that was the safest for our officers. The implementation of the K-9 program at the Fortuna Police Department has once again proven to be an effective resource for our officers with assisting them I the apprehension of potentially dangerous suspects.”

Pimnunihus Cennabe of Siskiyou County had been hiding in remote locations

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A routine patrol near a service station led local police to crack a case which had frustrated state authorities for over three years.

On Wednesday at about 8 p.m., the Fortuna Police Department’s Brian Taylor was working uniformed patrol near the Chevron Gas Station on Main Street when he contacted a male subject who he identified as wanted fugitive Pimnunihus Cenname — a man listed as a high escape risk individual who was considered to be armed and dangerous.

The 32-year-old’s identity was confirmed as a wanted parolee out of Siskiyou County, who had been convicted of first degree robbery and was sought by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since November of 2008. Taylor took the suspect into custody without incident and took him to county jail.

According to an FPD release, Cenname told law enforcement that he had been on the run and had eluded capture by staying in remote locations since 2008.

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.

Fortuna Police surround, arrest Dwayne Fields

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel 

Fortuna Police Department personnel arrested a wanted fugitive in the midnight hour this morning after a brief stand-off.

At about 12:40 a.m. today, FPD cops contacted a subject who provided them with what allegedly turned out to be a false name. Investigators determined this identity mismatch after following up on the given name and a description of the subject’s tattoos, which lead the FPD to determine his true identity as Dwayne Fields, a parolee at large who is subject to immediate arrest due to his release status.

FPD personnel proceeded to converge at a residence on the 500 block of 14th Street, where Fields was located in a locked bedroom. The cops told Fields that the home was surrounded and that his surrender would be required. After about three minutes, the wanted fugitive surrendered to the FPD without incident.

Fields was booked into county jail on charges of giving a false name to a police officer, in addition to his outstanding parole warrant.

At-large parolee Jason Johnson caught with meth, meds, paraphernalia

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel 

A Eureka man who allegedly committed grand theft auto was hauled back to the county seat and booked into the county lockup after he was caught fleeing through Fortuna this morning.

Jason David Johnson, 27, was taken into custody by Fortuna Police Department personnel after a brief pursuit on southbound Highway 101. FPD was alerted to a stolen car which Johnson was allegedly driving at about 6:50 a.m. this morning — evidently the Eureka-area victim had just jump-started their vehicle and was putting away jumper cables when the vehicle was stolen.

During the pursuit, which stretched between the Palmer Boulevard and Kenmar Road exits, Johnson apparently threw 7.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine out of the vehicle, which FPD later collected. Upon searching the vehicle, the cops found an additional 10.6 grams of meth packaged for sale, along with several prescription medications also packaged for sale.

Before being transported to county jail, Johnson was treated at Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna after he admitted to consuming a baggie of meth, according to a release by FPD sergeant Charles Ellebrecht.

As a wanted parolee at large, Johnson is not eligible for bail, and was further booked on charges of possession of meth for sales, possession of prescription meds without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property, transportation of a controlled substance and driving under the influence.

Report only issued by FPD a month later

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

It took the Fortuna Police Department nearly a month to alert the local media and populace regarding a major burglary at the city’s fire station.

Yesterday, the FPD posted notice of an investigation of a Sept. 13 burglary at the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department. According to a release, a suspect allegedly entered the fire station and stole radios, lighting equipment and other emergency equipment. FVFD sources say these items are of great value to the community as they are used in life saving matters and are desperately needed.

FPD has posted surveillance video which can be viewed here: FriendlyFortuna.com/Firedeptburg. They are also asking for an informant to come forward and contact their nationalized crime hotline at (800) 78-CRIME. Callers will allegedly remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.

No arrests expected according to Fortuna police

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A Fortuna child was flown to a Bay Area hospital today following a collision with a vehicle early this morning.

At about 7:50 a.m., Fortuna Police Department personnel responded to the 900 block of Fortuna Boulevard to respond to a reported accident. There they found a sedan which had been exiting the driveway of a local business. According to eyewitness reports, a parent and an 11-year-old child were riding their bicycles south on the northbound side of the street when the vehicle was exiting the driveway. Missing the parent, the vehicle struck the juvenile on the bicycle.

An ambulance responded to the scene, and the juvenile reported a complaint of pain to the ribcage area, according to an FPD release. The juvenile and parent declined medical assistance and transport to the hospital at the scene, instead continuing their bicycle ride, and the driver of the vehicle was also uninjured.

Only later did FPD learn that the juvenile ended up going to the hospital for further evaluation, followed by an airlift to an Oakland-area hospital for treatment of an undetermined internal injury.

The traffic collision is still under investigation, although no arrests or citations are expected to occur in this matter, according to the FPD.

Fortuna Police stumped by Sept. 24 residential burglary

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel 

Fortuna Police Department personnel are asking for information regarding a residential burglary last Saturday.

Sometime in the daytime hours of Sept. 24, according to an FPD release, a forceful break-in occurred on the 200 block of Sunnybrook Drive. In their investigation, law enforcement determined that a large amount of cash and camera equipment was stolen from the residence.

FPD apparently has no further leads in the case, and the department is asking for the public assistance in this investigation, according to a statement by Charles Ellebrecht.

Anyone observing suspicious activity in the area between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday is asked to call FPD detective Tim Dias at 1-800-78-CRIME. Callers to the hotline are supposedly anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.

David Hanna, Chyanne Smith booked on stolen property, drug and weapons charges

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Two Fortuna residents are in county jail today as a result of their arrest in connection with a commercial burglary yesterday.

At about 7 a.m. on Sept. 24, Fortuna Police Department personnel responded to a reported burglary at a business on 12th Street, where law enforcement discovered evidence of a forced entry and several missing computers and other items.

During the course of their investigation, FPD obtained a search warrant for a nearby unit at the Park West Apartments at 137 12th Street. Upon executing the warrant, FPD recovered several of the stolen items and arrested David Hanna, 21, and Chyanne Smith, 20.

Hanna was booked into county jail on charges of burglary, possession of stolen property and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Smith was also booked on stolen property charges as well as possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

“This investigation is still ongoing and we expect more arrests in the near future,” FPD detective Tim Dias stated in a release.

According to a further statement by FPD sergeant Charles Ellebrecht, residents are encouraged to call an FPD WeTip Crime Line to be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 for any assistance in this case. That number is (800) 78-CRIME.