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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 9, 2020, at about 6:30 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 1800 block of A Avenue in McKinleyville for a burglary in progress.

A neighbor of the residence contacted law enforcement after seeing a suspicious subject entering the home, which the neighbor knew to be unoccupied at the time. When deputies arrived on scene, they located two male suspects, 40-year-old Jason Edward Balke and 43-year-old Gale Anthony Crook Jr., inside the residence. Balke and Crook Jr. attempted to flee from the residence upon deputy contact.

The two men were quickly detained and found to be in possession of a burglary tool.

Balke was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of felony burglary (PC 459/461(a)), resisting arrest (PC 148(a)(1)) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)(2)).

Crook Jr. was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of felony burglary (PC 459/461(a)) and possession of burglary tools (PC 466).

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the observant neighbor who notified law enforcement regarding the suspicious activity. A Neighborhood Watch can be a powerful tool used to help protect your neighbors and community. To learn more about forming a Neighborhood Watch in your community, visit https://humboldtgov.org/2102/Neighborhood-Watch.

Anyone with information about 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.