UPDATE 9:00P.M. Friday: The Humboldt Co Sheriff Office sent the following request:

 

The above person in the attached photographs have been positively identified as Not suspect Matthew Robert Williams. Williams is still at large. Please remove the above photographs from your media. Thank You.

(Is it wrong of me to be glad I’m not the only one who makes mistakes…?) The photograph has been removed.

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Humboldt County Sheriff’s Press Release:

On 06-15-2012, Matthew Williams was sighted at Walgreens, Harris and Harrison Avenue,  Eureka in the company of two females at approximately 9:25 am. Deputies responded but Williams fled the store prior to their arrival. Williams is still wanted for fleeing from law enforcement in the below case.

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Prior

On 06-11-2012, approximately 2:20 a.m. a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy was driving in a marked patrol car on Walnut Drive, Eureka when he spotted a dark colored Toyota Pickup Truck turning right on Walnut Drive from Home Drive, Eureka without its headlights on. The deputy attempted to stop the Toyota for the traffic violation and the Toyota drove away at a high rate of speed, south on Walnut Drive towards Ridgewood Drive. The deputy initiated a pursuit of the vehicle which drove from Ridgewood Drive onto Elk River Road, Eureka. The deputy followed the vehicle which reached speeds in excess of 80 mph on Elk River Road before it turned onto Pine Hill Road. The vehicle eventually ended up in a Cul-de-sac at which point the driver jumped out of the moving Toyota which crashed through a fence and into thick brush. As the driver got out of the moving vehicle and fell towards the ground the pursuing deputy saw he had a silver revolver on his person with a wooden grip. The weapon fell away from the suspect striking the ground about three feet away from him. The driver stood up and ran towards the weapon and grabbed it, despite the deputy’s commands not to. The suspect then ran from the pursuing deputy who gave chase. The suspect ran to the side yard of a nearby residence where he jumped over a fence. The deputy continued chasing the suspect to the rear of the residence and up onto a deck.

The suspect attempted to enter the residence through the sliding glass door, but it was locked. It should be noted the deputies determined the suspect knew the owner of the residence he attempted to enter. The suspect jumped off the deck and into another neighboring back yard. Deputies and California Highway Patrol officers searched the area for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. The pursuing deputy was able to identify the suspect as Matthew Robert Williams, 20 years old of Eureka. A “Be-on-the-Look” out was placed with local law enforcement.

On 06-11-2012, approximately 7:00 p.m. deputies went to a residence in the 5800 block of Walnut Drive looking for Williams. When deputies arrived at the home, Williams fled out the back door, jumping over fences again. He was last seen wearing shorts, an orange shirt and only had one sock on.

He may have minor injuries from the brush and falls while evading law enforcement. The weapon has not been recovered and is still outstanding.

Matthew Robert Williams is further described as:, 20 years old, 5-11, 160 lbs, strawberry blond hair, blue eyes.

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.