From the Eureka Police Department:

On 08/05/15 at about 7:19 a.m., an officer with the Eureka Police Department observed a male attempting to push a couch on a trailer over a cement barricade towards a camp near the foot of Del Norte Street.

The Officer made contact with the male who stated he found the free couch near the corner of 6th and Broadway and borrowed his friend’s trailer so he could transport it. The Officer ran the VIN on the trailer and determined it was registered to a sporting goods store near 5th and A Streets in Eureka.

Eureka Police Dispatchers made several calls and were able to make contact with the responsible for the sporting goods store. The responsible party responded to the scene and determined that the trailer had been stolen from their business.

Due to the time delay between the officer making contact with the male and determining the trailer was stolen, officers had to allow the male to leave. The identity of the male is known and charges for possession of the stolen trailer are pending.