Coke, Meth and Cash. Lots of it.

"You know how a lot of us openly wish there was an In-N-Out in Humboldt? Well, if you think about it, we kinda already have one."

◼ LoCo on Facebook
◼ Two Arrested in Eureka Meth Bust, “Both subjects were released due to overcrowding” - LoCo

Larry Gene Blake (53) was contacted and arrested at the scene for Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales. Approximately 6.8 grams of methamphetamine, 1.4 grams of cocaine, scales and packaging were located and seized at the scene.

As the detectives were arriving on scene, a vehicle driven by Alfonso Yanez-Espana (27) drove up to Blake’s residence for an unknown reason. A second Search Warrant was obtained for Yanez-Espana’s vehicle and residence. As a result of that investigation approximately 963.2 grams (2.2 lbs) of methamphetamine and $35,000 cash were located and seized.

Both Blake and Yanez-Espana were transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales. Both subjects were released due to overcrowding.
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Over 2 POUNDS. And out.

William Duane Hillegeist denied release due to public safety concerns

◼ Judge Feeney said that while he acknowledges that Hillegeist is a permanent resident and is sorry to hear about medical hardships, that supervised release request and releasing Hillegeist on his own recognizance was denied due to the following reasons.... - John Chiv/Words Worth

...the new charges included possession of a controlled substance, new offenses were
committed while Hillegeist was out on OR bail and that Judge Feeney had concerns for public safety.

...Judge John Feeney presiding, Jason Sheets for the People and Public Defender Meagan O'Connell for the defendant.

◼ Previously: Duo arrested for stolen property, gunshots fired near Freshwater Park - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ (UPDATING) Reports of Major Law Enforcement Presence in Freshwater (AUDIO) - Lost Coast Outpost

From the comments: ernie branscomb

Is anyone getting tired of these people being turned back loose? He will probably end up killing someone before they put him away for a couple of years.

◼ McKinleyville Man Arrested With Pot, Meth & Heroin - Mad River Union

Shiloh Chase, one of the many repeat offenders or when you should have bail bonds and an attorney on retainer

Press release from EPD:

On 03-01-2014 at about 8:01 am, officers of the Eureka Police Department located a suspicious vehicle at the 1300 block of H Street in Eureka. A records check of the vehicle revealed that it had been reported stolen to the Arcata Police Department on 2-9-2014.

Officers contacted the solo occupant/driver of the vehicle, identified as Shiloh John Chase (36 years old of Eureka). Chase was soon taken into custody for possession of stolen property. A search of his person recovered suspected methamphetamine.

Chase was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on charges of possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and probation violation. He is being held on $25,000 bail.

◼ EPD Cleans Up Two Arcata-Related Situations - Mad River Union
__________________
◼ ...Chase was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on charges of possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and probation violation. He is being held on $25,000 bail. Just a week ago, he had three cases on court calendar...

I picked Shiloh Chase because he has been in trouble in 2010 and before and is one of those names that I remember. There are others. I see them back again time and time on the court calendar. Could have researched more cases and more evidence of drugs being involved. However, he isn't the only repeat revolving door offender. We have many that law enforcement and probation and the court are familiar with that just keep coming back.

While I do think that realignment has affected crime and consequences, Humboldt County had an issue before that. These repeat offenders know every way to scam the system, they beg and plead this time they have learned their lesson, now they will seek therapy, and they will never, again commit a crime.

And attorneys file papers, the alleged criminal doesn't like the result, he/she hires another attorney. The system is set up for these scammers. I could go research the many cases Shiloh Chase and others I recognize have had in the court system for even just the past 5 years.

I am all for consitutional rights and due process but how many times do you have to be arrested and not just for alleged non-violent crimes or petty theft and with drugs? Again, the above questions are not all for situations involving Chase.

How many times do you have to get away scott- free and have the money to hire a private attorney each time before it's enough and you actually have to pay for your crimes?

(This is an excerpt. read the whole thing at the link)

◼ Frequent flier Shiloh Chase gets another slap on the wrist - John Chiv/Words Worth

Four cases for Shiloh Chase were up for Disposition and Rest this afternoon in Judge Feeney's court. Luke Brownfield for the People and Public Defender Heidi Holmquist for Chase.... A few fines, a little jail time. People did not ask for restitution today, reserved for future.... Shiloh looked cool and relaxed before his case was called, after all he knew there are never any real consequences.

Seven pending felony cases for similar crimes. SEVEN.

◼ Fortuna Woman Arrested for Auto Theft, Forgery, More - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost

“Multiple pending matters. She continues to victimize people and businesses….Victims are wanting to see some justice….She is obviously manipulating the system because she is on release and continuing to commit crimes while out on release.”

◼ Auto theft investigation leads to search warrant and arrest - Times-Standard
__________________
Rinse and repeat. But, hey. He WON.

You lose.

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