Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Jan. 26, 2022, at about 11:45 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Samoa Beach parking lot in Samoa for the report of a robbery.

Deputies contacted an uninjured adult female victim at the beach. The victim told deputies that she was returning to her parked vehicle at the beach when she heard glass breaking and then found an unknown male suspect rummaging through her vehicle. When the victim confronted the suspect, the man brandished a knife at the victim and demanded her purse. The suspect stole the victim’s wallet and then fled the area in a late 1990s / early 2000s white four-door sedan.

The suspect is described as a white male adult, approximately six feet tall, with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and a white face covering.

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.

Community members are urged to use caution when recreating at our local beaches. Leave nothing of value inside your vehicle when parked at local beaches or trails.

Following the “leave nothing” model, community members should:

1. Keep the interior of your vehicle “showroom” clean. Always remove valuables from inside your vehicle. NEVER leave purses, bags, briefcases and wallets inside your vehicle unattended.
2. Think twice when storing valuables in your trunk. If your vehicle is equipped with a trunk release button on the inside, car prowlers can easily access your vehicle’s trunk space. While “hiding” items in your trunk may reduce the chance for your vehicle to be a target, the action will not completely protect you from theft.
3. Remove garage door openers, key cards, and house, work or car keys from your vehicle.
4. Always lock your vehicle, even if you are home. In public places, it may be tempting to leave your vehicle windows down to avoid vandalism. However, this puts you at even more risk, leaving vehicle registration and insurance information accessible to anyone nearby and increasing your chances of falling victim to identity theft, burglaries at your home and vehicle theft.
5. Ensure your car insurance covers glass damage and consider installing a more sensitive car alarm system.

If you come across a crime in progress, for your safety, do not confront the suspect, but call 9-1-1 immediately.