Eureka Police Department press release: 

On 03/02/17, at about 11:33 PM, Eureka Police Department officers were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person at a business on the 200 block of ‘J’ Street. The reporting party advised a male subject had blocked his security cameras. Furthermore, the subject appeared to be the same individual observed the previous night committing a burglary while riding a bicycle in the Old Town area.

 

The first officer arrived in the vicinity a short time later and located the suspect in an alley walking quickly away from the business. The officer detained the suspect, Ronald Anthony Owen, without incident. Owen was found to be in possession of various burglary tools and the same skull mask he was seen wearing the night prior.

During the ensuing investigation, officers discovered Owen used a can of spray paint previously stolen from the same victim to obstruct the business’ surveillance camera. He then cut the lock securing the business’ detached shed, entered the shed and left the stolen spray paint can inside it. It appeared Owen was apprehended before being able to steal any new items.

Owen (age 35 of Eureka) was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on numerous charges including burglary (felony), vandalism, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, prowling/loitering for the purpose of committing a crime, and probation violation.

In addition to numerous other prior local arrests, Owen was arrested by EPD during the early morning hours of 7/27/16 for theft and probation violation. This was after Owen was caught stealing items at a closed business near the West Washington Street city lot where he had been staying at the now defunct temporary overnight homeless sleeping area.