PREVIOUSLY:

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From the Arcata Police Department:

On February 12, 2019 at approximately 3:00 PM, officers from the Arcata Police Department responded to the 2900 Blk of Woodland Ct for the report of two residential burglaries.

Officers were able to obtain video surveillance from a residence that captured a late model red Chevrolet truck leaving the area. The driver was identified as a white female adult, approximately 40 years of age with long light colored hair.

Wheatley.

Following the burglaries, a press release was issued by the APD with images of the involved vehicle and suspect. Investigators were contacted by Fortuna Police Department and Crescent City Police Department investigators who reported similar burglaries in their jurisdictions involving a similar vehicle and suspect. Investigators ultimately connected the suspect to burglaries in Brookings Oregon, Medford Oregon, Fortuna and Crescent City. Through this collaborative effort, the suspect was identified as 39-year-old Julia Wheatley of Arizona and the vehicle was identified as a rental vehicle. Wheatley had been accompanied by an accomplice in some of the burglaries and he was identified as Danny Light, 48 of Arizona.

Light.

Through the use of an automated license plate reader mounted to an APD patrol car, the vehicle was positively identified as being parked at an Arcata hotel the night prior to the burglaries on Woodland Ct. The hotel was contacted and based on video surveillance from the hotel lobby, Wheatley was positively identified as having checked into the hotel the night prior to the burglaries.

The involved red Chevy truck was registered to a rental corporation and ultimately returned to the rental company at the San Francisco airport. Miscellaneous property was left inside, including items taken from the Woodland Ct burglaries.

Investigators connected Wheatley and Light to numerous burglaries in Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. A multi-state warrant was issued for the duo.

On 02/18/2019, Light was taken into custody in Glenn County following a vehicle pursuit with the Highway Patrol. Light and Wheatley were suspects in several theft related cases in Colusa and Glenn Counties. Stolen property was recovered from Light’s vehicle following the pursuit, including items stolen during the Woodland Ct burglaries.

Additional stolen property from numerous burglaries was linked to the pair after being pawned at a number of pawn shops including stores in Eureka and Redding.

On 02/28/2019, Wheatley was taken into custody in Belton, Texas on numerous theft and burglary charges.

Through the partnership of investigators from five states, the assistance of Arcata businesses, community member and the use of high-tech law enforcement equipment, Light and Wheatley’s crime spree was ended.