Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On June 26, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m., deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office conducted a follow-up investigation related to a burglary and stolen vehicle report filed on June 25, 2025. It was reported the stolen vehicle had entered the parking lot of the Dollar General store in McKinleyville.

Deputies responded to the location and reviewed surveillance footage, which confirmed that a suspect, later identified as Justin Raymond Stephanson (age 35), was operating the stolen vehicle prior to the deputies’ arrival. Deputies proceeded to Stephanson’s residence, where they located the stolen vehicle. Pursuant to the terms of his probation, a search was conducted, resulting in the recovery of multiple items of stolen property linked to the burglary.

Stephanson was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of burglary (PC 459) and possession of stolen property (PC 496). The stolen vehicle and recovered property were returned to the victim.

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.