Fortuna Police Arrest Wanted Felon After Three-Hour Standoff
Fortuna Police Department:
Fortuna Police were able to take a wanted felon into custody Monday afternoon after a three hour stand-off. Melvin Matthews, 35, of Eureka surrendered to Humboldt County SWAT team officers after barricading himself inside a garage on the 1800 block of Penn Avenue for over three hours.
Melvin Matthews, 35, of Eureka | FOPD.
A citizen’s tip led Fortuna Officers to a vehicle that had been reported stolen on the 9th of June. The same subject is suspected of being the individual who evaded officers earlier that day by driving his vehicle the wrong way on Thelma Avenue, Ross Hill Road, Fortuna Boulevard, and Main Street.
Matthews was wanted on felony warrants for evading law enforcement and making threats against a police officer, grand theft and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Three other individuals who had been apprehended at the scene were interviewed and released at the scene.
Officers from Eureka Police Department’s K-9 unit, Cal Fire Law Enforcement, Humboldt County Sheriff, and the Humboldt County SWAT team arrived to assist the Fortuna Police Department because of reports that the barricaded individual might be armed.
Fortuna Officers notified neighborhood residents and advised them to either leave, or shelter in place. Penn street was cordoned off at both ends, until the scene was confirmed to be secured, for the protection of the public.
The scene was safely secured by SWAT officers around 4:30 p.m.
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