UPDATE, 11:15 a.m. : 

The Subaru Outback was recovered this morning around 8 a.m. in Arcata by the CHP. It was unoccupied and no suspects have been identified at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4060.

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ORIGINAL POST:

From the Eureka Police Department:

On 01-08-2019 at about 5:50 pm, officers of the Eureka Police Department responded to a parking lot at the 1500 block of 5th Street for the report of a stolen vehicle that had just occurred. The victim had parked her white 2002 Subaru Outback (CA License Plate number 4ZSU884), leaving the engine running and went into a nearby business.

Shortly thereafter, an unknown suspect entered the victim’s vehicle. The victim ran outside and attempted to stop the suspect from leaving, by jumping on the hood of the vehicle. The victim quickly fell off the vehicle as the vehicle sped away.

The victim described the suspect as a black male adult, 20 years old, dark hair, wearing a black hoody with black and red lettering on it. Officers immediately began searching the area. Officers quickly located the vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 101, near Airport Rd. As an officer pulled in behind the vehicle, it began making erratic lane changes and accelerated. A short pursuit ensued. By the time the vehicle had reached Bayside Cutoff, speeds had reached in excess of 90 mph. Due to totality of the circumstances and the safety to the public traveling on the roadway, the pursuit was terminated.

Based on the investigation, it appears that numerous persons witnessed the incident, but left the area prior to the arrival of officers. The Eureka Police Department urges these witnesses or anyone else with information concerning this case to contact Officer Nunez at 707-441-4060.

The Eureka Police Department would also like to remind citizens to turn off their vehicle’s engine and secure their vehicle, if the vehicle is going to be left unattended. Unsecured and running vehicles are an easy target for thieves.