Eureka Police Department press release: 

On December 11, 2020, at about 8:30 PM, a uniformed Eureka Police Department (EPD) officer  was conducting foot patrol at the Humboldt County Library (1313 Third Street). The officer  saw Mario Marcel Garcia (age 40 years) and another male subject engaged in suspicious behavior possibly associated with narcotics sales at the library. The officer recognized Garcia,  with whom he’d had numerous past law enforcement related contacts.  

The officer requested a local wants and warrants check on Garcia. EPD Dispatch advised Garcia had  an outstanding, no bail felony warrant for his arrest. The officer attempted contact with Garcia who  walked away from the library eastbound along Third Street. As a second officer (EPD sergeant) arrived on scene to assist, the first officer attempted to contact Garcia again near the intersection of  Third/P Streets. Garcia fled from the officer northbound on P Street.  
As Garcia was fleeing from officers, he was observed reaching towards the waistband area of his  pants. The first pursuing officer saw the handle (grip) of a handgun protruding out of Garcia’s  waistband, at which time he radioed that Garcia had a gun.  

The officers continued chasing Garcia on foot while ordering him to stop. Garcia jumped over the  embankment at Second/P Streets into the thorny berry bushes below. Garcia resisted all commands  given to him by the officers. Due to Garcia’s active resistance and his failure to comply with  commands to put his hands in the air and to stop reaching around behind him, one of the officers  deployed his TASER at Garcia. 

Garcia was taken into custody a short time later. A loaded handgun was found on the ground  underneath him. While searching Garcia incident to his arrest, officers found a loaded pistol magazine  in Garcia’s back pants pocket that also matched the magazine in the recovered firearm.  

Garcia was transported to the St. Joseph Hospital for medical clearance. Once medically cleared,  Garcia was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for the following fresh violations:

PC 29800(a)(1)- Felon in Possession of a Firearm, PC 30305(a)(1) - Felon in Possession of  Ammunition, PC 25400(a)(2) – Felon with Concealed Firearm on Person, PC 148(a)(1) - Resist or  Obstruct a Peace Officer, and PC 1203.2(a) - Probation Violation. (Case # 20-006864.) 

Additionally, Garcia’s no bail (mandatory appearance) felony warrant for which he also was arrested  was issued for the following offenses:  
PC 12022.53(b) – Firearm Used in Commission of a Felony, PC 422 – Threats to Commit Crime  Resulting in Death or Great Bodily Injury, PC 273.5(a) – Inflict Corporal Injury on Spouse/Cohabitant,  PC 12022.5(b) – Use of an Assault Weapon in Commission of a Felony.  

A later examination of the firearm recovered from Garcia revealed it consisted of a Glock lower (the pistol grip and trigger housing were from a Glock) and a .22 caliber upper conversion kit.  This functionally made the firearm a .22 caliber, full-sized, semiautomatic pistol. There was no  serial number on the firearm. A functions check revealed it was fully operational. 

“This tense, highly dangerous incident is yet another example of the dedication and courage our law  enforcement officers demonstrate every day in service to their communities. They are asked to do what has  become an increasingly difficult job with ever higher expectations and demands placed upon them, yet they  continue to suit up and perform their duties with great professionalism and restraint.” ~Chief Steve Watson