80-Year-Old Man Arrested for Vehicle Theft and Resisting Arrest After Attempting to Flee Officers by Clambering Over a Metal Gate, Sheriff’s Office Says
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Aug. 27, 2023, at about 4:21 p.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the Ferndale area for the report of a vehicle theft.
According to the victim, an acquaintance, 80-year-old Steven Foster Stiles, had reportedly entered the victim’s home on Upper Bear River Road without consent while the victim was away. Stiles then reportedly stole a vehicle belonging to the victim. While returning to the residence, the victim located Stiles and the vehicle on Wildcat Road.
A deputy responded to the area and located Stiles on foot approximately a quarter mile from the stolen vehicle’s location. Upon deputy contact, Stiles attempted to flee over a metal gate on a private road but was quickly apprehended.
Stiles was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)), possession of a stolen vehicle (PC 496d(a)) and resisting a peace officer (PC 148(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.
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