Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Dec. 28, 2020, at about 4:55 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a business on the 38900 block of State Highway 299 in Willow Creek for the report of a disturbance occurring inside.

Upon further investigation, deputies learned that a male suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Thomas William Carlson, had reportedly approached three male victims outside of the business. At some point Carlson and the men became involved in an altercation, during which time Carlson reportedly retrieved a hatchet and began threatening the victims. Carlson then reportedly stole a backpack from the men and fled into the business. The three victims reportedly followed Carlson into the business to retrieve the stolen property, at which time law enforcement was contacted.

Carlson was taken into custody without further incident and was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of robbery (PC 211), assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (PC 245(A)(1)) and criminal threats (PC 422).

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.