Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On January 29, 2020, officers with the Eureka Police Department (EPD), working under the Joint Agency Fugitive Apprehension (JAFA) team MOU, conducted a warrant sweep operation in the greater Eureka Area and at one location in McKinleyville.

The JAFA team is designed to be a collaborative effort among the MOU agencies to provide personnel to assist in warrant sweep operations. JAFA is managed by EPD with the assistance of the probation department for reimbursement under the funding outline.

Our goal is to conduct a warrant sweep operation every 1 or 2 weeks throughout Humboldt County.

Erickson and Sack

During this operation, two fugitives were located and arrested.

  • Lorenzo Erickson (50): He was arrested on a felony no bail warrant for domestic violence. His newest warrant was issued in January of 2020 but the case stems from a 2016 investigation. He was also arrested and booked on a fresh charge of possession of controlled substance (Suboxone) without a prescription.
  • Sammy Sack (43): He was arrested on 7 misdemeanor warrants for vehicle theft, 4 counts of driving while suspended, providing a false name to a Peace Officer, possession of methamphetamine and possession of heroin. When officers attempted contact with Sack he fled out his bedroom window and was apprehended in the back yard by members of the JAFA team. While being transported to jail, Sack asked the transporting officers if they were the fugitive apprehension team and they kindly informed him they were.

Top, L to R: Cruz, Gerner, Chaney; Bottom: Suarez, Elias

Six others remain outstanding after the operation:

  • Ureil Jimenez-Dionicio (29): wanted for assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury and resisting arrest
  • German Cruz (26): wanted for domestic violence and DUI
  • Carnell Garner (45): wanted for domestic violence and vandalism
  • Elias Roberto (24): wanted for domestic violence, DUI, and violating a restraining order
  • Travis Chaney (36): wanted for vandalism
  • Sergio Suarez aka Alvaro Martinez (45): wanted for DUI

The JAFA team will continue ramping up their efforts over the coming months and will cover much of the County in search of those with outstanding warrants. This is a great opportunity if you have outstanding warrants to turn yourself in to your local police department. In some instances, you may be able to receive a citation and new court date and avoid a trip to jail. Voluntary compliance, on your terms, is better than being arrested at work or possibly with your family at home.

If you believe you may have a warrant for your arrest you can check with your local law enforcement agency or with Humboldt County Superior Court, 421 I Street, Eureka, 707- 445-7256.

If you know the location of a suspect with an active warrant and would like to report that to the JAFA team please contact EPD’s Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Sergeant Greg Hill at 707-441-4355.