Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 7, 2022, at about 3:04 p.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy was on patrol in the area of O’Neil Lane, in the county’s jurisdiction of Eureka, after receiving multiple reports of a suspicious individual attempting to gain access to residences in the area. The individual was recognized by deputies through residential video surveillance as 39-year-old Melvin Dwayne Matthews Jr., who was known to be wanted by the Arcata Police Department on charges of vehicle theft.

While patrolling the area, deputies located Matthews Jr. outside a residence on the 2900 block of O’Neil Lane. Upon seeing deputies, Matthews Jr. fled into the residence. Deputies contacted the owner of the home, who allowed deputies to search the residence for Matthews Jr. Deputies located Matthews Jr. hiding in a crawlspace in the attic of the residence. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Matthews Jr. was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of vehicle theft (VC 10851(A)).

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.