Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Oct. 29, 2022, at about 8:26 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a local hospital for the report of an assault that had occurred earlier that evening in the Willow Creek area.

At the hospital, deputies contacted a 22-year-old male victim, who was being treated for moderate injuries, and the suspect, 23-year-old Dante Blade Rhoades, who was being detained by Arcata Police Department officers.

Rhoades.

During their investigation, deputies learned that the victim was working at a gas station on the 39000 block of State Highway 299 when he observed Rhoades shoplift from the store. The victim reportedly confronted Rhoades about the shoplifting and a physical altercation occurred between the two. Following the assault, Rhoades and the victim were transported separately to the hospital. At the hospital, Rhoades reportedly began causing a disturbance, prompting law enforcement response.

Rhoades was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of battery with serious bodily injury (PC 243(d)).

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.