Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Aug. 21, 2023, at about 12:05 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a gas station on the 39000 block of State Highway 299 in Willow Creek for the report of an assault.

Deputies contacted a 73-year-old male victim who had sustained minor injuries as a result of the assault. The victim told deputies that he was outside of the gas station when he was approached by the suspect, 37-year-old Chase Andrew Fullerton. Fullerton reportedly asked the victim for change. The victim declined and Fullerton then reportedly punched the victim in the head prior to fleeing the property.

Deputies located Fullerton walking on Sunset Lane near Village Way. He was taken into custody without incident.

Fullerton was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of elder abuse (PC 368(b)(1)) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)), in addition to warrant charges of vandalism (PC 594(b)(1)). 

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.