Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release:

On 07-18-2015, at about 2:20 A.M., the Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls from citizens residing on Samoa Ct. in Samoa, Ca. They reported that a male subject wearing a sweatshirt and shorts, had been caught trying to break into residences in the area. The subject had since jumped a fence and was thought to still be in the area. Deputies responded to investigate.

When Deputies arrived they began searching the area, and one of the Deputies located a subject matching the description. The subject was riding away from an address on North Bayview Ave., on a Razor Scooter. When the Deputy attempted to contact the subject, he fled on the scooter. The Deputy pursued the subject on foot. The subject dropped the scooter and began running from the Deputy. The Deputy was able to apprehend the subject a short distance away.

The subject was identified as Derek Johnson, 20, of Fortuna, Ca. Deputies were able to confirm Derek was the same person who was seen trying to break into residences in the area. They were also able to confirm the Razor scooter Derek had was stolen from a residence on North Bayview Ave. Deputies learned Derek had multiple current probation records, including a Formal Felony Probation for burglary, as well as a Summary Probation for theft.

Derek was booked into the Humboldt County Jail for possession of stolen property, resisting or delaying an officer, and violating the terms of his probation. 

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case 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.