PREVIOUSLY: Fracas in Garberville’s Veteran’s Park Leads to Three Arrests and Injuried Deputies

Injured deputy.

From left to right: Arrested suspects Marie Burhart, Justin Dalton Jones, Robert Dale Irwin.

Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Press Release: (see more info here in an earlier post)

On 09-27-2012, approximately 2:45 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a fight in progress in the area of Veteran’s Parks, the corner of Redwood Drive and Thomas Lane, Garberville. Two deputies responded to the scene arriving a few minutes later. Upon arriving at the scene a citizen pointed out a male walking northbound through the park, indicating he was the suspect causing the disturbance. Deputies saw the suspect, later identified as Justin Dalton Jones, 20 years old from Whittman, Arizona walking away from them quickly. Jones was yelling incoherently and walking into and across traffic on Redwood Drive, Garberville with no regard to traffic which had to stop suddenly to avoid hitting Jones. Deputies chased after Jones who walked onto a large concrete porch area of the Tiger Lily Bookstore, Redwood Drive, Garberville.

The deputies followed Jones into the patio area of the book store where they contacted him. Jones showed obvious signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Deputies attempted to calm Jones down, who was very agitated, was clenching his fists and was yelling unintelligible words while pacing back and forth. When they thought they had calmed him down enough to take him into custody a deputy reached out and grabbed Jones’ arm attempting to arrest him for being under the influence. Jones immediately pulled his arm away and began flailing both his arms, and charged the second deputy. The second deputy deployed a Taser on Jones, but the Taser had no effect. Jones continued to charge the second deputy and attacked him. Jones attempted to grab and pull the Taser away from the second deputy. Jones was tackled by the first deputy and both deputies and Jones went to the ground. They again attempted to Taser Jones, which still did not work. Deputies were finally able to place one handcuff on Jones who continued to fight with them. Jones then turned onto his back and grabbed one of the deputies in a bear hug fashion. Jones, who was wearing heavy boots, was kicking the other deputy in the chest and face. The citizen who initially pointed out Jones as the one causing the disturbance came to the deputy’s aid by holding Jones feet. This allowed the deputy not being held in a bear hug to access his portable radio and call for emergency backup. Another citizen also came to the deputies’ aid, and grabbed Jones around the neck in a choke hold fashion.

Jone’s girlfriend, Marie Burkhart, 21 years old from Costa Mesa , California, who was nearby watching came to Jones aid and started attacking the citizen who was holding Jones by the neck, trying to get him to let go of the one deputy. With assistance of the two citizens, the deputies were finally able to handcuff Jones. Four California Highway Patrol Cars arrived on scene about this time to assist. Burkhart was then arrested by one of the deputies with the assistance of a California Highway Patrol Officer for interfering with a policeofficer and being under influence of a controlled substance. She also resisted arrest when they attempted to take her into custody.

Meantime a crowd of nearly 40 people had gathered to watch what was occurring, and one subject in the crowd, identified as Robert Dale Irwin, 24 years old from San Jose, Ca. was taken into custody the California Highway Patrol on scene for attempting incite a riot and obstructing a police
officer.

Both deputies received abrasions from the fight, but did not require medical treatment. Jones was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital where he was medically cleared and treated for a small cut.

He was then transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Jones admitted to ingesting LSD and told the deputies Burkhart also ingested LSD. Jone’s bail was set at $25,000.00.

Burkhart was also booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. She was released on her own recognizance.

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.