Deputies Find Suspected Burglar Hiding in Closet in Blue Lake; Vehicle Search Uncovers Stolen Property
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On July 14, 2023, at about 8:44 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 1900 block of Simmons Road in Cutten for the report of a theft from a vehicle.
The victim told deputies that at about 5:38 a.m., a male suspect gained access into the victim’s parked vehicle and stole a purse containing the victim’s credit cards and keys. One of the victim’s stolen cards was found to be used at a local business soon after the theft.
While conducting this investigation, deputies learned of a vehicle theft occurring at a residence nearby on Simmons Road that morning and an attempted theft at a residence on Primrose Avenue. Victims and neighbors in the affected area were able to provide surveillance footage depicting a male suspect, who deputies identified as 34-year-old Vincent Charles McKenney.
On July 16, investigating deputies received information that a vehicle associated with McKenney had been observed in the Blue Lake area. Deputies located the vehicle parked outside a residence on the 200 block of Maple Creek Road. While on scene, deputies observed McKenney through the window of a residence on the property. McKenney refused deputies’ commands to exit the residence. Deputies then entered the residence and located McKenney hiding in a closet. He was arrested without further incident.
During the search of McKenney’s vehicle and the residence, deputies located a large amount of stolen property from multiple recent theft-related investigations.
Also, while at the property, deputies contacted 36-year-old Christopher James Diven, who was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Diven was taken into custody and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on his warrant for charges of petty theft (PC 488).
McKenney was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of theft by forged/invalid access (PC 484g), petty theft (PC 488), possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)), resisting arrest (PC 148(a)), violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)(2)) and two additional warrants for violation of probation.
The stolen vehicle has not been located at this time. It is described as a 2002 dark blue Chevy Tahoe, CA license plate number 5MHZ582. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this vehicle is encouraged to contact the California Highway Patrol.
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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