Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On 10-27-2015 at about 1:45 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a request from Arcata Police Department Detectives to attempt to locate a subject named, Richard Villa Dean age 18, who resides at a residence located in the 300 block of Shoemaker Road, Hoopa. The Arcata Police Department Detectives were requesting the Humboldt County Sheriff’ Deputies to detain Dean for questioning in the homicide death of Anthony Pennucci on 10-25-2015.

When deputies arrived at the residence they saw Dean walking away from them. Deputies attempted to contact Dean, but he ran from their location towards Highway 96. Two deputies pursued Dean on foot as he ran through brush towards Highway 96. Another deputy drove his marked Sheriff’s Office pickup truck around the brush to Highway 96.

As the deputy drove his vehicle onto Highway 96 he saw Dean running next to a gravel road off Highway 96. The deputy yelled at Dean to stop, but he continued to run. From about 30 feet away Dean threw an approximately 6” x 8” rock at the Sheriff vehicle that struck the rear passenger door. The rock caused extensive damage to the vehicle.

The deputy exited his vehicle and was able to run and catch up to Dean. When the deputy got next to Dean, he attempted to strike the deputy with his closed fist. The deputy then placed Dean on the ground to gain control of the situation. While on the ground Dean kicked the deputy in the chest with his foot. After a brief struggle the deputy was able to place Dean’s hands behind his back in handcuffs. The deputy was not injured. The other two deputies then arrived at his location. Dean then made statement to the deputies that he was going to kill them and their families.

A short time later Detectives from the Arcata Police Department arrived on scene and took custody of Dean. (See APD press release).

Dean was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges related to this incident: Felony vandalism, resisting arrest and felony threating a peace officer with violence.

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.

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