Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 28 at about 7 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputy was dispatched to the 400 block of 1st Ave. in Blue Lake for the report of a vandalized vehicle parked outside of a business. 

Upon arrival, the deputy found a vehicle with its windows broken and its interior rummaged through. While conducting this investigation, two additional reports of vehicle break-ins within the area were made, to which the deputy responded. One of the vehicles had blood spots on the driver and passenger doors; a sample was collected for testing. During the deputy’s investigation, home surveillance video was discovered showing a suspect attempting to break into a vehicle.

Based upon the suspect description in the video, the deputy searched the area. The deputy later located Shawn Iloff, 31, of Arcata, in the Blue Lake Casino parking lot. Iloff was subsequently arrested and during the search incident to arrest, the deputy located a methamphetamine pipe in one of the stolen bags. 

Iloff admitted to the deputy that he had broken into three vehicles and was also responsible for stealing mail.

Iloff was transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• Two counts of Burglary—PC 459
• Grand Theft—PC 487(a) 
• Felony Vandalism—PC 594(b)(1)
• Misdemeanor Vandalism—PC 594(b)(2)(a)
• Possession of Stolen Property—PC 496(a)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia—H&S 11364(a)
• Outstanding Misdemeanor Warrant—PC 978.5

Some of the stolen items were subsequently located and the items were returned to the victims. 

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.