CORRECTION: It turns out that one of  the suspects below, Russhia Lee Pittman of Fortuna, gave police a fake name and it fooled them for long enough for them to issue this press release with that fake name, rather than her real one. See here.

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Fortuna Police Department press release:

On Thursday, January 26, 2023 at approximately 8:17 A.M. Officers contacted a known wanted subject in a vehicle in the  Strong’s Creek Plaza area of Fortuna. Fortuna K9 “Blitz” assisted and as a result of the contact and investigation, Officers  arrested three subjects, recovered a loaded stolen Glock 19, 9mm semiautomatic pistol and seized over a half ounce of  Methamphetamine. The three subjects were arrested on the following charges; 

Marco Antonio Alverez (age 31 of Fortuna) was arrested on the charges of, PC 29800(A)(1) Felon in possession of a  firearm, PC 30305(A)(1) Prohibited persons in possession of ammunition, PC 25400(C)(2) Carrying a concealed stolen  weapon, H&S 11370.1(A) Possession of controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm and H&S 11377(A)  Possession of controlled substance.  

Garret Alexandre Gibbs (age 33 of Fortuna) was arrested on charges of, H&S 11377(A) Possession of controlled  substance and PC 1203.2(A) Violation of probation.  

Russhia Lee Pittman (age 40 of Fortuna) was arrested on charges of PC 25400(C)(2) Carrying a concealed, stolen weapon,  H&S11370.1(A) Possession of controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm and H&S11377(A) Possession of  controlled substance.  

In a separate incident, on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at approximately 12:00 P.M. Officers observed a vehicle code  violation on a vehicle in the Riverwalk Drive and Kenmar Road area of Fortuna. Officers initiated a traffic enforcement  stop on the vehicle. Fortuna K9 “Blitz” assisted and as a result of the enforcement stop and investigation Officers arrested  two subjects, seized a loaded Charles Day Field HP, 9mm semiautomatic pistol and seized approximately a half ounce of  Methamphetamine. The two subjects were arrested on the following charges; 

William Mark Stuart Melton (age 52 of Eureka) was arrested on the charges of, PC 29800(A)(1) Felon in possession of a  firearm, PC 30305(A)(1) Prohibited persons in possession of ammunition, PC 25400(C)(1) Carrying a concealed weapon  in a vehicle, H&S11370.1(A) Possession of controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm and H&S11377(A)  Possession of controlled substance.  

John Forrest Mastel (age 48 of Fortuna) was arrested on the charges of, PC 29800(A)(1) Felon in possession of a firearm,  PC 30305(A)(1) Prohibited persons in possession of ammunition, H&S11370.1(A) Possession of controlled substance  while armed with a loaded firearm and H&S11377(A) Possession of controlled substance.  

K9 “Blitz” is funded solely through donations and we are extremely grateful of the impact the K9 Program is making  within our community and throughout the county.  

The Fortuna Police Department remains committed to public safety and transparency. Any questions related to this release  can be directed to Lieutenant, Matthew A. Eberhardt at (707) 725-7550.