Exactly what he wanted

His name in lights
◼ TIMES-STANDARD EXCLUSIVE: Jailhouse interview with Ezra Williams; suspected armed robber ready to begin sentence
”It was hella fun while it lasted,” said Williams. “But I have a family -- I knew I couldn't keep running forever.”

Williams is due to reappear in court May 13 - tomorrow

◼ Prelim date set for Ezra Williams - TS
Williams is due to reappear in court May 13 for a preliminary hearing

Prelim date set for Ezra Williams

◼ Prelim date set for Ezra Williams - TS
Ezra “Easy” Williams appeared in Humboldt County Superior Court on Monday, and is scheduled to reappear Wednesday for a bail hearing.

Williams, who stands accused of robbing Bank of America and Radio Shack at gunpoint in Eureka before fleeing to Mexico, has been charged with two counts of second-degree armed robbery. He also faces charges of possessing heroin for sale and transporting heroin for sale from a prior arrest.

After his bail hearing, Williams is due to reappear in court May 13 for a preliminary hearing.

EPD NEWS RELEASE

Ezra Williams

On 4-28-2010 at about 7:30 pm, Ezra Williams was transported to the Eureka Police Department, where he was released to our custody. Detectives had an opportunity to speak to Williams. Upon completion of the interview he was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and is being held on $500,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding the string of robberies or Williams is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Section of the Eureka Police Department at 441-4300 or Detective Harpham at 441-4305.

◼ Suspect in Eureka armed robberies arrives at Humboldt County jail

....None of the money from the robberies has been recovered. Harpham said Williams was broke when he was arrested but was driving a Volkswagen vehicle, which he allegedly bought for $2,500 cash.

Williams was in contact with police after he arrived in Mexico. Harpham said he called the suspect, who allegedly hung up on the detective and later called him back from Tijuana.

Harpham said his investigation seems to indicate that Williams fled Eureka on April 7 and was in the Ukiah and Santa Rosa area by the afternoon of April 8. Two of the recent armed robberies, at Sal's Off Broadway bar and Safeway on Harris Street and Harrison Avenue, occurred after Williams is suspected to have fled.

”He wasn't the only one working robberies at that time,” Harpham said....

easy pickin's

◼ Eureka armed robbery suspect Ezra Williams in custody
Ezra “Easy” Williams, named as a suspect in more than a half dozen armed robberies in the Eureka area, is in custody after being arrested Wednesday night in the San Diego area.

The good news is he is in custody, and he didn't get himself shot, and he didn't take any others with him.

Now the question of course is - how long til he is back out on the street?

So, is he behind all these robberies, or are there a bunch of copycats?
◼ Eureka robbery rash worsens; gas station holdup is No. 9 since March 25
An early morning armed robbery of a Broadway gas station in Eureka on Tuesday makes it nine holdups of city businesses in less than a month.

At 12:48 a.m., Eureka police were dispatched to the Patriot gas station on the 1700 block of Broadway, where the store owner and his teenage son reported having been robbed. They told police that a man armed with a handgun and another armed with a knife entered the station and demanded money, while a third man stood guard outside.

The three men fled east on West Wabash. The first is described as a male, possibly Asian between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches tall, skinny, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with a black mask covering his face. The second is 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 8 inches tall, medium build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a black mask. The third was only seen from the back, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and of a similar height and build.

The robbery follows one on Monday afternoon, during which a man demanded OxyContin tablets from an employee of Cloney's pharmacy on Harrison. Seven other armed robberies since March 25 are believed to have been committed by 26-year-old Ezra Williams.

Eureka Detective Ron Harpham said the investigation into that string of robberies is ongoing, and that there is no new information to release.

◼ Eureka armed robbery suspect nabbed at Mexico border; Ezra Williams in custody after reportedly attempting to re-enter U.S.
EPD Detective Ron Harpham said he has been in periodic phone contact with Williams since April 15, and believes the suspect was already in Mexico at that time. He said he thinks Williams was returning to the U.S. on Wednesday to surrender to law enforcement in Humboldt County.
”He knew he had to turn himself in,” Harpham said.

...If Harpham is correct that Williams left town on April 8, it seems the last robbery he could have committed in the area was at Sal's Off Broadway bar in the early morning hours of April 8.
Williams had been considered armed and dangerous, and there was some question if he would surrender peacefully if tracked down by law enforcement. According to EPD, Williams had stated to an acquaintance that he would not go to jail and would “go out gangster style,” although others reportedly told police Williams wanted to get caught. Police said they believed Williams may have been using methamphetamine and heroin, which may have accounted for the differing statements.

According to Humboldt County court records, Williams has a trio of convictions on his rap sheet, all for petty theft, with two occurring in 2005 and another in 2008. He was also arrested March 17 on suspicion of possessing heroin for sale and transportation of heroin for sale. He posted bail after the arrest, and Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Wes Keat said earlier this month that his office was seeking an arrest warrant on charges stemming from that incident.
________________
Robberies investigated in connection with Ezra Williams:
March 25: Radio Shack on Myrtle Avenue at 9:30 a.m. (Williams booked on this case)
March 27: Texaco gas station on Broadway in the early-morning hours
March 31: Performance Fuels on Broadway at 1:40 a.m.
April 6: Madsen Realty on Christie Street at 10:49 a.m.
April 6: Bank of America on F Street at 2:11 p.m. (Williams booked on this case)
April 8: Sal's Off Broadway bar on Albee Street at 2:30 a.m.
April 12: Safeway on Harris Street and Harrison Avenue at 10:45 p.m.
Editor's note: Williams was booked in two cases noted above, the Radio Shack and the Bank of America robberies. The rest remain under investigation.

REWARD OFFERED

◼
Reward offered for info leading to Eureka armed robbery suspect's arrest
A Eureka resident has started a reward fund to help spur citizen tips to help the investigation into a recent string of robberies that have hit businesses close to his home.

”I know all these stores,” said Rex Bohn. “I shop in some of them -- that was my grocery store that was robbed.”
Bohn has put up $1,000 through the Eureka Police Department and is encouraging other community members to contribute funds to act as a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspect Ezra “Eazy” Keith Williams, 26. Williams is suspected of committing seven armed robberies throughout Eureka in the past few weeks that have targeted stores, gas stations, a bank and other businesses...

”I worry this is going to escalate, not that it hasn't already escalated, into shooting,” he said...

The robbery spree
March 25: Radio Shack on Myrtle Avenue at 9:30 a.m.
March 27: Texaco gas station on Broadway in the early-morning hours
March 31: Performance Fuels on Broadway at 1:40 a.m.
April 6: Madsen Realty on Christie Street at 10:49 a.m.
April 6: Bank of America on F Street at 2:11 p.m.
April 8: Sal's Off Broadway bar on Albee Street at 2:30 a.m.
April 12: Safeway on Harris Street and Harrison Avenue at 10:45 p.m.

Armed robberies continue Update: REWARD OFFERED

◼
Reward offered for info leading to Eureka armed robbery suspect's arrest
A Eureka resident has started a reward fund to help spur citizen tips to help the investigation into a recent string of robberies that have hit businesses close to his home.
”I know all these stores,” said Rex Bohn. “I shop in some of them -- that was my grocery store that was robbed.”
Bohn has put up $1,000 through the Eureka Police Department and is encouraging other community members to contribute funds to act as a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspect Ezra “Eazy” Keith Williams, 26. Williams is suspected of committing seven armed robberies throughout Eureka in the past few weeks that have targeted stores, gas stations, a bank and other businesses
◼ Eureka armed robbery spree continues; Safeway robbed at gunpoint -- police name suspect in seven holdups

...Most recently, (Ezra "Eazy") Williams is alleged to have held up the Safeway on Harris Street and Harrison Avenue. Humboldt County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Brenda Godsey said deputies received a call at about 10:45 p.m. Monday stating that a white male adult dressed in all dark clothing and wearing a black ski mask approached a cash register at the store and brandished a handgun.

”He demanded that (the cashier) empty her register,” Godsey said. “She complied, and put money in a plastic grocery bag.”

Godsey said the suspect -- who a witness later identified as Williams...

Williams appears to be becoming more brazen in his alleged activity, as he first targeted a business early in the morning, then moved on to robbing some gas stations in the early morning hours, before finally robbing a bank and a grocery store. Law enforcement has also said that Williams did not wear a mask when allegedly robbing Sal's Off Broadway bar on April 8.

”He's really had a string of success, so success breeds success (in his mind),” Capron said. “Probably another factor in this, with someone this brazen, is I would suspect you have some sort of drug abuse involved.”

According to Humboldt County court records, Williams has a trio of convictions on his record, all for petty theft, with two occurring in 2005 and another in 2008. He was also arrested March 17 on suspicion of possessing heroin for sale and transportation of heroin for sale. He posted bail after the arrest, and Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Wes Keat said his office is currently seeking an arrest warrant on charges stemming from the arrest...

Williams is a white male adult, 26 years old, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and several tattoos, including one on his neck that reads “outlaw” and is accompanied by skulls. He also has a one-inch scar on his forehead.

He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to law enforcement. According to an EPD press release, Williams stated to an acquaintance that he will not go to jail and will “go out gangster style.” However, others who know the suspect have reportedly told police he wants to get caught.

In a previous interview with the Times-Standard, Harpham said police believe Williams may be using methamphetamine and heroin, which may account for the differing statements....

Harpham said detectives believe all the Eureka robberies are linked because of the physical description of the suspect and his mannerisms while committing the crimes.

”He kind of does a lot of the same things and says a lot of the same things,” Harpham said, before noting the suspect's slight stature. “If you had six different robberies done by six different white males, the likelihood of them all being 5 foot, 6 inches is almost nil.”

Harpham said there have also been consistencies in the firearms used in the robberies, as well as the clothing worn by the suspect. He said he expects EPD may have also found a lead in the case Monday with the arrest of one of Williams' close friends. He said he was preparing to serve a search warrant on the friend's vehicle.

”It appears there is evidence in that vehicle that ties (Williams) to at least one of the robberies,” Harpham said....

◼ Eureka man arrested as person of interest in robbery spree
After (Jamie Delos) Jeffery was detained, officers found 3 grams of tar heroin, a digital gram scale, syringes and a large amount of cash on his person. During a search of his car, officers found more syringes, drug-smoking paraphernalia, a small quantity of heroin, unlawfully possessed prescription medications, numerous small baggies and apparent pay/owe notes further indicating drug sales activity, according to the press release. Officers also located possible evidence in the vehicle related to the armed robbery spree, but EPD did not release details on this evidence.

Jeffery was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County jail, where he was booked on suspicion of possession and transportation of heroin for sale, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and hypodermic syringes, being under the influence of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license, according to the press release.

EPD is still looking for Ezra “Eazy” Keith Williams, 26, who is wanted in connection with the multiple armed robberies in Eureka. Anyone with information about Williams' whereabouts should call the EPD at 441-4044.

UPDATED: Have you seen this man?

◼ TS - Sixth robbery in alleged spree leads to suspect ID
Eureka police are searching for a suspect in an armed robbery today, and believe he may also have been involved in a spree of five other recent armed robberies.

Witnesses and police have identified the suspect as Ezra Williams, 25, seen in this photo from a prior arrest.

Williams allegedly entered the Sal's Off Broadway Sports Bar on Albee Street at about 2:30 a.m., and pointed a gun at a female employee, and tied her up in front of witnesses. The man did not attempt to disguise his identity, according to a press release.

Investigators consider Williams a suspect in other robberies, including at Bank of America and Madsen Realty Tuesday, according to the press release.

Williams is allegedly armed with a handgun, and is considered dangerous. According to police, he has stated in the past he will not go to jail and will “go out gangster style.

◼ TS Eureka Police Department continues search for suspect in six armed robberies

The sixth armed robbery in less than two weeks hit Eureka early Wednesday morning, but this time the robber did not disguise himself.

Witnesses and police have identified the suspect of Wednesday morning's robbery as Ezra Williams, 25, of Eureka. Williams allegedly entered Sal's Off Broadway Sports Bar on Albee Street at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, pointed a gun at a female employee, then tied her up in front of witnesses. The man did not attempt to disguise his identity, according to a Eureka Police Department press release.

Investigators now consider Williams a suspect in five other Eureka robberies, said EPD Detective Ron Harpham. It is unclear at this point if there is a connection to the Minor Theatre robbery in Arcata.

The string of armed robberies started last month with Radio Shack on Myrtle Avenue on March 25. Since then, Texaco on Broadway, Performance Fuel on Broadway, Madsen Realty and Bank of America have all been robbed at gunpoint. In some of the robberies, the suspect wore a bandana over his face, according to a press release.

Several factors have led police to suspect Williams committed the string of robberies -- the words the suspect used, his mannerisms, the way he held his handgun and other factors are similar in the six robberies, Harpham said. The suspect's body description has also been consistent as being about 5 foot, 5 inches tall with a slender build.

”For a white male, that's a pretty unique size,” Harpham said....

The Eureka Problem-Oriented Policing Unit arrested Williams in mid-March for allegedly possessing a half ounce of heroin packaged for sale and drug paraphernalia, according to a press release.

And, THANKS to a tip from the comments - why is this guy out on the streets? A little history...
◼ U.S. Marshal’s Office Arrests 16 Fugitives in Humboldt County
Eureka, CA – U.S. Marshal Federico Rocha of the Northern District of California announces the arrest of 16 individuals in Humboldt County during a Fugitive Task Force Operation conducted Monday.

The arrests include:

– Troy Welsch (Hoopa) for violation of parole and failure to register as a sex offender;
– Cedric Hostler (Hoopa) for violation of parole and failure to register as a sex offender;
– Amanda Chenault (Weitchpec) for attempted murder;
– Shana Gatlin (Hoopa) for violation of probation;
– Dana Hawkins (Arcata) for violation of parole and felon in possession of ammunition;
– Tracy Manion (Arcata) for grand theft
– Jason Owsley (Eureka) for violation of parole;
– John Hanley (Fortuna) for violation of parole;
– Terry Matlock (Fortuna) for violation of probation;
– Baekky Gee Khongsaengdao (Eureka) for violation of probation; and
– Erick Skillman (Eureka) for violation of probation

In addition, the Eureka POP (Problem Oriented Policing) Team, while assisting the task force, observed a traffic violation resulting in the arrests of Lee Adams and Ezra Williams, both of Eureka. They were arrested for state drug violations. Authorities seized approximately ½ ounce of black tar heroin packaged for sale and drug paraphernalia from the vehicle.

The Task Force continues to search for David Ramirez aka Luis Carrasco for passport fraud; Delores Sarmiento and Michael McBride Jr., for violation of probation; and Bradley Walker for violation of parole and violation of state sex offender requirements.

Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of these fugitives should call their local law enforcement agency or the U.S. Marshals Office at 707-442-4875.

The U. S. Marshals Northern California Fugitive Task Force is a cooperation of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that conduct fugitive investigations and operations to locate and arrest fugitives. Local agencies that participated in Monday’s operation are the Humboldt County Sheriff Department, Humboldt County Probation Department, Eureka Police Department, Fortuna Police Department, Rio Dell Police Department, Arcata Police Department, Trinidad Police Department, FBI, National Marine Fisheries and State Parole. humboldtonline

Note - no DA Investigators with AR-15s this time.

◼ Fugitive Sweep Results in 16 Arrests in Humboldt County http://www.usmarshals.gov.
◼ Humboldt Herald Thursday, March 18th