Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On October 4, 2020, at about 1:40 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the 2100 block of Central Avenue in McKinleyville attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle after observing multiple vehicle code violations.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 64-year-old Cindy Lou Crews of McKinleyville, failed to yield to deputies and a pursuit ensued at speeds of 35-45 miles per hour. Deputies pursued Crews approximately 2 miles, during which time Crews turned her vehicle and drove head-on towards a patrol vehicle, almost causing a collision. Crews continued the pursuit into the parking lot of a business on the 1700 block of Central Avenue, at which time deputies, fearing for the safety of pedestrians, blocked Crews’ vehicle utilizing patrol vehicles. As Crews again attempted to flee, she struck a patrol vehicle prior to stopping her vehicle. Crews failed to comply with deputy requests to exit the vehicle. After multiple commands to Crews to exit, deputies forced entry into Crews’ vehicle. Crews continued to physically resist deputies and she was placed under arrest after a brief struggle. During a search of Crews’ vehicle, deputies located a loaded firearm.

Crews was treated by emergency medical services on scene for minor injuries and then was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (PC 245(c)), resisting arrest (PC 69), carrying a loaded firearm in a public place (PC 25850(a)), evading a peace officer (VC 2800.2) and fleeing a peace officer (VC 2800.4).

No deputies were injured and there were no serious damages to patrol vehicles involved in this incident.

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.