Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Joseph Allan Edison Grenz Booking Photo | Humboldt County Correctional Facility

On Feb. 25, 2023, at about 8:30 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Highway 101 and Palmer Boulevard, near Fortuna, for the report of a carjacking.

Deputies contacted a 38-year-old female victim, who had sustained minor injuries as a result of this incident. The victim told deputies that she and a friend were parked in a dirt lot near the Highway 101 off-ramp when a suspect vehicle occupied by two people pulled alongside of her. The passenger of the suspect vehicle, identified by the victim as 24-year-old Joseph Allan Edison Grenz, reportedly exited the vehicle, forcibly removed the victim and then fled with her vehicle. During their investigation, deputies learned that Grenz also had outstanding warrants from the state of Missouri.

The following day, February 26, just after 6 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies located the stolen vehicle unoccupied in the area of Palmer Boulevard and Page Way. Continuing their investigation, deputies responded to a residence associated with Grenz on the 500 block of Summer Street in Fortuna. The Fortuna Police Department responded to assist. After commands for Grenz to exit the residence, Grenz peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody.

Grenz was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of fugitive from justice (PC 1551(a)) and carjacking (PC215(a)).

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Fortuna Police Department for their assistance with the apprehension of Grenz.

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.