Eureka Police Department News |
Suspected Murder in Eureka May 23rd, 2008 On 05/22/08 at about 11:14 pm the Eureka Fire Department responded to a medical aid call at 1140 4th Street. A 61 year old male was reported to be unconscious from an unknown medical condition. Upon their arrival, EFD located a male subject on the floor with bleeding facial wounds. The subject was not breathing and had no pulse. Medical personnel immediately started life saving efforts, however, the subject was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's ER. The Eureka Police Department was summoned to the scene and an investigation was begun. As a result of the investigation, Rodney Jay Groh (55 years old of Eureka) was taken into custody. Groh was later booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on a charge of suspicion of Murder. He is being held on $1,000,000.00 bail. This is an ongoing case and information will be released as it becomes available. Press Release Courtesy Sergeant Patrick O'Neill Heroin Bust May 21st, 2008
During the first part of May 2008, Eureka Police Officers began an investigation of an alleged heroin dealer in Eureka. The officers developed enough probable cause to seek and obtain a search warrant for two residences, two vehicles, and the subject of the investigation – Michael Robert Neubecker (49 years old of Eureka). In the late afternoon of May 20 2008, Eureka Police Officers, assisted by members of the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, conducted a surveillance of Neubecker’s primary residence. At approximately 8:39 pm, Neubecker was seen leaving his residence on foot. Officers converged on Neubecker and he was detained without incident. Over an ounce of suspected heroin was found in Neubecker’s pocket, packaged for half ounce sales. The investigation led officers to believe that a garage and two near-by residences were involved in Neubecker’s drug trafficking. Sgt. Kay Howden and her K9 partner "Tava" responded to the scene for a narcotics search. During the search, "Tava" alerted officers to the presence of heroin concealed in a small backpack, located in a detached garage. Inside the backpack, officers found 28 ounces of heroin, packaged for sale. A detailed search of Neubecker’s apartment, and one additional residence, resulted in the seizure of numerous items and materials commonly used in the packaging and sales of illegal street drugs. Evidence directly linking Neubecker to illegal drug sales was also found. Neubecker’s girlfriend, Wendy Lee Lunau (47 years old of Eureka), who was present in the apartment at the time of the search warrant service, was arrested for her role in Neubecker’s drug trafficking. The following seizures were made, due to the hard work and investigative diligence of Officers JD Braud, Travis Braud, Chris Silvey, Terry Liles, and Sgt. Bill Nova, - About 29 ounces of heroin, with a conservative estimated street value of $32,000.00 Neubecker was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance and maintaining a residence for the purpose of illicit distribution. Lunau was booked on charges of maintaining a residence for the purpose of illicit distribution. They are both being held on $30,000.00 bail.
Press Release Courtesy Sergeant Patrick O'Neill Purse Snatch Robbery May 6th, 2008 On 04/25/08 at about 8:20 pm the Eureka Police Department received a report of a “purse-snatch” robbery that occurred outside the “Bayshore Mall.” The victim, a 55-year old female, was walking from the mall to her parked vehicle. A subject approached her from behind and took her purse from her hand. He fled on foot with the victim’s purse. Witnesses described the suspect as a male with light-colored hair. He was wearing a black sweatshirt with an imprinted skeleton design. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who knows the identity of the suspect(s) is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department at 707-441-4300. Press Release Courtesy Sergeant Patrick O'Neill Man Causing Traffic Hazard on Broadway Arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine May 3rd, 2008 On May 3rd, 2008 at about 1:18 PM, Eureka Police Officers were dispatched to the 2800 block of Broadway for the report of a male subject walking in traffic and creating a traffic hazard. Officer Ed Wilson and Sergeant Steve Watson responded to the area and located the suspect, Timothy Edward Hansen (age 38), walking northbound along Broadway. The officers observed that Hansen was exhibiting symptoms consistent with being under the influence of a controlled substance, such as methamphetamine. A records check revealed that Hansen was on formal probation for Possession of Stolen Property. During a subsequent search of Hansen’s person and belongings, Officer Wilson located marijuana and an alcoholic beverage—which constituted a violation of Hansen’s probation terms. Hansen was taken into custody for probation violation by Officer Wilson and transported to H.C.C.F. While conducting a more thorough search at the jail, officers found two plastic bindles containing a usable quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine concealed in Hansen’s socks. Hansen was additionally arrested and booked for possession of a controlled substance. Press Release Courtesy Sergeant Steve Watson and Sergeant Pat O'Neill Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure after Incident at Shell Gas Station May 3rd, 2008 On May 3rd, 2008 at around 3:41 PM, Eureka Police Officers were dispatched to 1310 5th St. (Shell Gas Station) for a reported indecent exposure that just occurred outside the business. An employee reported that a male subject had pulled down his pants and exposed his genitals to employees, customers, and passing motorists. While responding to the scene driving eastbound on 5th Street at J Street, Sergeant Steve Watson saw a subject who closely resembled the suspect’s description on the sidewalk near the intersection. The subject, subsequently identified as Ryan James Engebretson (age 30), was acting erratically and energetically crouching/leaping on his hands and knees. Sgt. Watson, assisted by Officers Ed Wilson and Stan Harkness, detained Engebretson, who appeared to also be under the influence of a controlled substance. Engebretson admitted to recent methamphetamine use but he denied exposing himself outside the gas station. A witness was driven to the suspect’s location, who positively identified Engebretson as the suspect. Engebretson, who became increasingly agitated and uncooperative toward officers, was placed under arrest for indecent exposure/lewd conduct and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility without further incident. Press Release Courtesy Sergeant Steve Watson and Sergeant Pat O'Neill ###
Strong Arm Robbery On 3/24/08 at about 9:50 pm the Eureka Police Department received a report of a “strong-arm” robbery that occurred near the bus stop on Myrtle Avenue near the Burre Center. The victim, a 51 year old male, was approached by the two young male assailants. They allegedly punched him about the face and head a number of times causing him to fall to the ground. They fled on foot in an unknown direction with the victim’s backpack. The victim could only describe the suspects as two white male adults in their 20s, both wearing dark clothing, wearing backpacks. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who knows the identity of the suspect(s) is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department at 707-441-4300. Sgt Pat O’Neill 707-441-4300 Press release Courtesy Sergeant Jim Armstrong
Robbery at the Harris Street Shell Station On 3/23/08 at 9:40pm the Eureka Police Department received a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Shell station, 111 W Harris Street. A lone white male adult had entered the station, brandished a knife, and demanded money. The clerk complied with the demands and the robber left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash. He was last seen fleeing on foot southbound on California Street from the Shell station. The clerk was not injured. The suspect is described as a white male adult possibly in his 40s, 5’-10”, 160-180 lbs, wearing a dark puffy coat with a hood. His face was covered by a black stocking cap with roughly cut holes for the eyes and mouth. He was armed with a knife. Anyone who may have witnessed the robbery, or who knows the identity of the perpetrator, is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department at 707-441-4300. Sgt Pat O’Neill 707-441-4300 Press release Courtesy Sergeant Jim Armstrong
Drugs and Guns found during 911 Responce by EPD On March 17, at approx. 0930 hours, officers from the Eureka Police Department responded to an address on Hilfiker Street, for a 9-1-1 call. The caller hung up before dispatch could obtain any details about the emergency. Responding officers attempted to make contact with the occupants of the residence. After several minutes, a woman opened the door, while an adult male stood in the background. The front door, while open a few inches, remained secured by a chain lock. Officers made several requests for the couple to unsecure the chain and open the door, with no compliance. The man turned away from the officers and walked to the doorway of a back room. He looked inside and paused. Officers requested back-up and ordered the man back towards them and the front door. Finally the man complied and opened the door. Press Release Courtesy Sgt. Kay Howden Eureka Police Department |
