Humboldt Co. Sheriff Press Release: On 02-25-2012, approximately 9:00 p.m. a Humboldt County Sheriffs deputy was patrolling in the McKinleyville are when he saw a male whom he recognized as Brian Lee Balke, 33 years, of McKinleyville, enter a video store at the corner of Central Avenue and Sutter Road, McKinleyville. The deputy knew Balke was wanted and had a “No Bail” Felony arrest warrant for possession of Concentrated Cannabis.

Balke saw the deputy and immediately began to flee from the deputy on his bicycle. The deputy followed Balke in his patrol car across Central Avenue. Balke crashed on his bicycle and then ran away from the deputy, who chased him on foot. Balke attempted to hide from the deputy under a pickup truck behind a nearby store. The deputy caught Balke and arrested him on the warrant.

After arresting Balke the deputy learned Balke had just stolen several items from a nearby Safeway grocery store. The deputy located those items in Balkes’ possession, along with a half ounce of marijuana bud, a syringe and other drug related items. Balke was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the warrants, besides new charges of burglary, theft with a prior conviction, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana and violation of probation.