Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 3, 2020, at about 11:50 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol near the intersection of Highway 96 and Highway 299, in Willow Creek, observed a vehicle reported stolen out of Oregon in the parking lot of the Willow Creek Library.   

Upon further investigation, deputies learned that a witness had observed two subjects exit the vehicle and walk toward Creek Side Park. Deputies located the two subjects, later identified as 26-year-old Preston Leigh Allen and 30-year-old Maria Jesus Calderon-Diaz, at Creek Side Park.

While searching the vehicle, deputies located mail addressed to Calderon-Diaz and shaved keys. During a search of Calderon-Diaz and Allen, deputies located over 17 grams of methamphetamine, metal knuckles and ammunition.

Calderon-Diaz was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)), possession of a stolen vehicle (PC 496d(a)), conspiracy to commit a crime (PC 182(a)(1)), possession of a controlled substance (HS 11377(a)), possession of burglary tools (PC 466) and false identification to a peace officer (PC 148.9(a)).

Allen was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)), possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)), possession of metal knuckles (PC 21810), prohibited person in possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)), conspiracy to commit a crime (PC 182(a)(1)), possession of a controlled substance (HS 11377(a)) and possession of burglary tools (PC 466).

Anyone with information regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.