From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On 04-19-2012, approximately 3:00 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office received a call from a local cab company advising they kicked a man and woman out of a cab in the area of Hoover and Myrtle Avenue, Eureka because they were fighting in the cab. The cab had picked them up from a nearby bar. When a deputy arrived in the area he located a male matching the description provided by the cab company, however there was no female in the area.
The deputy contacted the male, identified as Lawrence Jay Olson, 26 years old from Eureka who was intoxicated. Olson denied being in any altercation with a female. The deputy offered Olson a ride home, which he accepted. The deputy began to pat search Olson for weapons prior to putting him in the patrol car to give him a ride home, at which time Olson admitted he had a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun in his back pocket. Olson was then arrested for possession of a concealed handgun. After Olson was placed into the patrol car, a female appeared and began arguing and yelling at Olson while he was in the back of the patrol car.
A second deputy arrived at the scene about this time. The female was also under the influence of alcoholic beverages. When the deputies told the female to step back, she stood in front of the patrol car as the deputy with Olson in the car attempted to drive him to jail. The female was arrested at this time for public intoxication and interfering with a police office officer. She was identified as Jennifer Cheri McClaren, 25 years old from Eureka, she was transported to jail in a separate patrol car.
When the deputy transporting Olson arrived at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, Olson kicked out the back window of the patrol car.
Olson was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of carry a concealed firearm, felony vandalism and public intoxication. His bail was set at $25,000.00.
McClaren was booked and released on her own recognizance after she sobered up with charges pending for interfering with a police officer and public intoxication.
Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539. Humboldt County Drug Task Force can be reached at 707-444-8095. If you live in the City Limits of Eureka the Eureka Police Problem Oriented Policing Unit can be reached at 707-441-4373.