From the Eureka Police Department:

On December 19, 2014, at approximately 4:45 a.m., Officers from the Eureka Police Department were dispatched to the 4900 block of Lundblade Drive on a report of a suspicious subject seen in the area. A resident, on their way to work, observed a male subject with a backpack walking in the neighborhood. The resident notified our dispatch center and stayed on scene to assist officers in locating the subject. Officers located the subject and detain him. The subject was identified as Jerrad Rishard Lafayette (26 years old Eureka resident). Lafayette was found to be on searchable probation for narcotic and theft related offenses.

Officers conducted a search of Lafayette’s person and the backpack he was carrying. The Officers located three (3) screwdrivers in his pant’s pockets and located a pair of bolt cutters, a glass punch, wire cutters, a file kit with files, crowbars and other various tools in the backpack.

Lafayette admitted to the Officers that he went to this neighborhood to break into vehicles. At this time Officers are unable to determine if Lafayette actually broke into any vehicles in this neighborhood. It appears his intended criminal behavior was thwarted by the observant resident.

Lafayette was arrested for possession of burglary tools, public intoxication, and probation violation. Lafayette was transported and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

The Eureka Police Department asks that any citizen who resides in this area, and discovers their vehicle has been broken into contact us and make a crime report. EPD would also like to commend the resident for being observant and recognizing a suspicious activity/person, contacting us with all the pertinent information, and then assisting our Officers with locating the suspicious person. Your actions likely kept your neighbors and others in your community from being victimized. Job well done and Thank You!