Illegal Fireworks Cause Deputy to See Sparks

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 07-01-2013, approximately 9:20 p.m. a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy was patrolling the area Holly Drive and Central Avenue, McKinleyville when the deputy saw several displays of illegal aerial fireworks coming from the area of the 1700 block of Holly Drive. The deputy also saw an Arcata Fire Department Engine in the same area where the illegal fireworks were coming from. The deputy met with an Arcata Fire Captain who told him he saw the fireworks and responded to the area also. The Fire Captain told the deputy he observed flaming debris strike a roof across from the home where the fireworks were being discharged. He said some of the illegal aerial fireworks’ nearly struck the Arcata Fire Department Engine due to the fireworks being fired horizontally. The Fire Captain made contact with two adult males in the front yard of a residence and told them to stop discharging the fireworks. 

The deputy contacted a 34 year old Eureka man and a 36 year old McKinleyville man who were identified as shooting off the fireworks. One of the men admitted to residing in the residence where the fireworks were being discharged from, but denied trying to strike the fire engine intentionally with the fireworks. The deputy located three expended illegal fireworks in the grass next to the suspects which the deputy seized as evidence. The Fire Department personnel also located a neighbor’s vehicle that appeared to be damaged by the illegal fireworks. 

The Sheriff’s Deputy has submitted a criminal case to the Humboldt County District Attorneys Office against the two men requesting charges of possession of fireworks not registered by the State Fire Marshall and possession of dangerous fireworks without a permit. Both are misdemeanors subject to fines up to $1000.00 or county jail time of up to one year. 

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.