Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 15, 2021, at about 2:39 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 1900 block of B Avenue in McKinleyville for the report of a residential burglary in progress.

According to the reporting party, the victim arrived home and found a man, later identified as 41-year-old Jason Edward Balke, who had forced entry into the residence. Balke reportedly fled the residence and the victim followed while contacting law enforcement.

Deputies located Balke walking in the area of the 1800 block of A Avenue. Upon seeing deputies, Balke fled and a short foot-pursuit ensued. Balke refused to comply with deputy requests to stop and at one point turned toward deputies brandishing a large rock. During this interaction, a deputy deployed a department-issued taser, effectively gaining compliance. Balke did not sustain injuries from the taser deployment. 

Balke was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of burglary (PC 459/461(A)), vandalism (PC 594(b)(1)), resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)) and parole hold (PC 3000.08(c)).

This case is still under investigation.

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.