Humboldt County Sheriff press release:

On 10-16-14, at approximately 11:45 p.m. a Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff driving a marked patrol car near Bear River Casino was flagged down by a citizen. The citizen told the deputy two motorcyclists had been involved in the purchase of multiple pounds of marijuana and just left the area. One of the motorcyclists was carrying a large army duffle bag which contained the marijuana. 

The deputy began checking the area for the motorcyclists. The deputy saw two motorcyclists matching the description provided in the area of Singly Hill Road and the Casino. As the motorcyclists turned onto Singly Hill Road, one of them failed to stop for the stop sign. The deputy attempted a traffic stop on the motorcyclist who failed to stop and who was carrying a large army duffle bag. The motorcyclist was riding a blue Yamaha 2006 motorcycle. Instead of yielding to the deputy, the motorcycle sped off and entered onto southbound US 101. The motorcycle accelerated to over 90 mph. The motorcycle then exited at Palmer Boulevard and then re-entered US 101 northbound with the deputy still pursing it. The motorcycle again accelerated to high speeds, this time accelerating to over 110 mph northbound on US 101. Due to the extreme speed, the deputy terminated the pursuit in the interest of public safety. 

Additional deputies responding towards the area from Eureka saw the motorcycle enter College of the Redwoods parking lot. As the deputies arrived at College of the Redwoods to look for the motorcycle, it again fled the deputies, back onto US 101. The deputies did not pursue the motorcyclist as it traveled southbound on US 101 in the northbound lanes at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic. The deputies lost sight of the motorcycle at Hookton Road where the motorcycle exited the freeway. 

A deputy traveling on Thompkins Hill Road spotted the motorcycle in the 3100 block. The motorcycle was parked and partially covered up with wooden pallets. Deputies and a Eureka Police K-9 searched the area for the rider and did not locate anyone. The motorcycle was impounded and the Sheriff’s Office is following up on leads as to the rider’s identity. 

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.