Fortuna Police Dept. Press Release - On December 29, 2011 at approximately 4:20 PM, a detective with the Fortuna Police Department’s Investigation Unit received a tip from the Rio Dell Police Department that a wanted subject was currently within a residence located at 129 Basayo Village, Fortuna.

The caller identified the subject as Christopher Glen Mell (age 30) of Fortuna. Mell is on active parole for weapons related charges and is currently listed as a PAL (Parolee at Large) for failure to check in with his Parole Agent. Mell is also currently wanted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department for a vehicle pursuit and suspicion of a felon in possession of a firearm.

After receiving the information, uniformed patrol officers along with detectives of the Fortuna Police Department responded to the residence in an attempt to contact Mell. Upon arrival, officers immediately noticed movement within a bedroom of the residence and verbal contact with its occupants could not be established. Moments later a motorist arrived at the apartment complex and advised officers that he had responded there at Mell’s request for transportation.

With the assistance of State Parole Agents, Officers of the Rio Dell Police Department and Deputies of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, staff was able to secure a perimeter around the apartment. Fortuna Police Departments K-9 handler, Sergeant Jason Kadle, and K-9 “Zorro” were called on scene to be utilized in the apprehension of Mell. After gaining permission via phone from the apartments tenant to enter, officers attempted to contact Mell at the front door of the apartment.

After several verbal commands from the officers and notifications from the K-9 of their intent to enter, the occupants of the residence began to announce themselves within the residence. The first subject detained was identified as Angela King (age 25) of Fortuna, King was found to be currently wanted on a felony arrest warrant. Moments later Christopher Mell announced himself within the residence and was taken into custody without further incident. Both Mell and King were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

“When law enforcement agencies are willing to come together, share information and provide mutual aid the outcome is generally positive for the communities in which we serve. With the assistance of each of these allying agencies we were able to make the city of Fortuna a safer place tonight and do it in a manner that was the safest for our officers” said Fortuna Police Department Sergeant Aaron Starcher. “The implementation of the K-9 program at the Fortuna Police Department has once again proven to be an effective resource for our officers by assisting them with the apprehension of potentially dangerous suspects”. The Fortuna Police Department would like to thank everyone who assisted in this effort.