After Manhunt Yesterday, Two Men Arrested in Connection With Ripoff in Salmon Creek Area
Long distance shot of law enforcement arresting Wade Harris. [Photo provided by a resident of the area]
Law enforcement was notified and neighbors were alerted through a social media site. Neighbors arrived on site and interrupted the theft. The thieves fled the scene in at least two vehicles headed towards the only way out of the dead end neighborhood. The rear vehicle was a dark pickup pulling a trailer. The trailer’s doors were unsecured and a number of items including a large tv fell out as the occupants fled the scene, according to a witness.
Deputies load the items found in the white vehicle (being loaded onto a flatbed to the left behind the Highway Patrol vehicle) into a Sheriff’s pickup. [Photo provided by Troy Swinnock]
Booking photo of Wade Harris from a December 2019 arrest.
Wade Harris, frequently arrested in Humboldt County, is believed to have been driving a pickup pulling a trailer that was also headed eastwards on Thomas Road a distance behind the white pickup. When the driver, believed to be Harris, saw the officers, he turned the truck and trailer around and fled westward.
Some officers gave chase while others stayed with the white pickup.
After driving some distance through the narrow, curvy and pothole strewn road, the trailer became dis-attached, according to several people who saw it sitting along Thomas Road but that hasn’t been confirmed officially. The driver continued to flee with officers in pursuit behind him.
The chase continued off the County Road onto Samuel’s Loop Road and then onto a private driveway in the upper reaches of the Salmon Creek watershed. There the occupants, believed to be Harris and a woman but that is unconfirmed, hid the vehicle in the woods and fled on foot.
Vehicle ditched by Wade Harris and possibly a female companion after wild chase off the County Road onto Samuel’s Loop and out a private driveway. [Photo provided by a resident of the area]
A propane torch sits near a charred post. A neighbor said when he arrived the propane torch was lit and burning the post. [Photo provided by the neighbor]
According to one witness, a lit propane torch was pointed towards a post on the porch of a building on the property. The witness said he turned off the propane torch but took a photo of the situation as evidence.
Officers continued to search the area but were unable to locate the suspects who had fled the vehicle hidden off the private driveway on the top of Samuel’s Loop even though a K-9 was brought in to assist in the search.
In the afternoon, according to secondhand reports, a man matching Harris’ description though badly battered and limping, approached a cabin in the Mattole Watershed side of the Samuel’s Loop Road. There he requested a ride. But was refused.
Law enforcement was notified and, after officers made a further search, Wade Harris was arrested. No woman companion was located. According to Lt. Sam Williams of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, “There was evidence that a female was present, however, she was never actually seen and the involved parties denied that she was there.”
We’ve requested further information. Lt. Sam Williams confirmed that Wesley Evans and Wade Harris were arrested in connection with the incident. Wesley Evans was charged with resisting arrest and released on his own recognizance yesterday. Wade Harris was still in custody–currently only for the charge of reckless evading of a peace officer.
Both men have repeated encounters with law enforcement. See below for a partial list.
Booking photos for the two suspects: Wesley Evans (left) and Wade Harris (right).
Note: Readers should be aware that this reporter lives in the area and many of the witnesses I spoke with for this story are people I have relationships with including a former student, close friends, and dear neighbors. Many of them braved possible dangerous situations to help the people victimized. Others rushed to check on residents in the even more remote reaches of this remote area. I count myself fortunate to live among such a close community.
Officers stand near the vehicle that contains Wade Harris. [Photo provided by a resident of the area]
Incidents Involving Wade Harris:
- Wade Daniel Harris Arrested in Sonoma after 12 Hour Manhunt
- Probation Search in Garberville Yields Meth Plus More
- Fortuna Police Arrest Local Motorcyclist for Waving Stolen Pistol at Fellow Driver
- Law Enforcement Is Attempting to Locate a Suspected Hit and Run Driver in Shively
- Fleeing Cops, Driver Heads Wrong Way Down Safety Corridor, Reaches Speeds of Up To 100 Miles Per Hour
- Wade Harris Arrested in Arcata
- Wade Daniel Harris: Arrested Again…and Again
- Wade Harris Arrested, His Bail is $500,000, and DA Fleming Says He’ll Have to Prove Money He Posts for Bail Has Legitimate Source
- Wade Harris Arrested After Struggle With Deputy Today
- Vehicle Belonging to Wade Harris Burned Alongside Hwy 36 After His Arrest Yesterday
- Wade Harris Arrested With Stolen Vehicle, Says EPD
Incidents Involving Wesley Evans:
According to an article by John Chiv in November, Wesley Evans had 47 cases in the Humboldt County Court system at the time. A photo of Evans is available there.
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This guy, AGAIN?!? (And again, and again, and again…)
Enough, already.
Wade Harris NEEDS TO BE LOCKED UP, PERMANENTLY.
PERIOD.
(Kym: if you can, please publish a follow-up on this story, as per his next court date – I think members of the community who have been affected by his actions over the years would show up in court and demand no bail. I certainly would.)
It completely blows my mind that this guy isn’t in prison. 95% of the states in this country would’ve had him behind bars for 10+ years ago. I did 3 years for selling 40 pain pills to a cop. Guess what? I don’t sell drugs anymore. Even living in California where I know I can get away with it easily. I’m not one for mass incarceration and I believe I was sent away for far too long as a non violent drug offender. But hey, that shit worked
I think the community should be able to get their concerns heard about this guy. The list of news articles about his deeds is unfathomable. To the point that I said wade Harris? Again?
The Governor said the prison population is down and he is going to close a prison.
Maybe we should vote for the other guys next election.
Thanks for sharing. Cool to hear that perspective.
He’s probably one of them. A paid cooperative. Humboldt is full of them. Especially SoHum.
It seems as if he literally has to seriously injure or kill somebody before getting a prison sentence. First article of his craziness listed at the end would’ve gotten his ass 5 or more in Florida prison.
Even this on top of a lengthy rap sheet and of course suspended license didn’t keep him behind bars here in Commiefornia.
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2014/may/6/5-year-old-loleta-boy-icu-after-head-collision-fam/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pressdemocrat.com/news/1862150-181/father-son-hurt-in-lakeville%3fview=AMP
Keep it Classy Kali!
He will be out in a week. Posted bail by girlfriend and will go directly to doing this again.
He no longer has that girlfriend, which this is her. I’m not involved and wasnt any female involved in this bullshit. I’m not bailing him out so please keep your comments of me to yourself. Thank you
You totes didn’t need to volunteer that bit of information. Miss being the drama much?
Excuse me Ex-girlfriend was what that morning? You better know what the fuck your talking about before you say shit about me having any involvement in what happened.
How many times has this turd been arrested? Ship him off ta prison already!
Wow and all that will happen is released on own and a promise to appear… What a friggen joke! How many times do these pos have to be arrested to be sent away… The community will start handling these problems on their own if the courts won’t… California is a joke for law abiding citizens while the criminals run amuck….
I have the utmost respect for LE but this is infuriating!!! So many people have been robbed by Wade Harris! His long list of arrests are the tip of the iceberg compared to the crimes he’s committed. And I hope his female accomplice freezes her butt off in the woods and learns first hand how glamorous thug life is. Disgusting POS!
No charges of theft or arson??Why? Charged with resisting arrest but why were they arresting him if he wasn’t complicit in a truck load of expensive items hoisted out someone’s door?
Does he have family in Sheriff’s Office or DA’s office?
I’m sure law enforcement officers feel the same way.
I wish at this point he’d grow a pair and try his antics with the Murder Mountain tribe.
These guys came to my house Brooktrails and posed as PGE workers. They were casing my house. They were surprised when I answered the door. They said they came to tell me PGE was going to “take down that tree on Thursday. Yeah, Thursday”. They didn’t make eye contact, no identification, scruffy looking. (PGE came this week with paperwork, identification, and a written agreement). A few days later I saw them on a FB post being caught on camera robbing a house in Covelo. I hope the cops keep them.
>”According to an article by John Chiv in November, Wesley Evans had 47 cases in the Humboldt County Court system at the time. A photo of Evans is available there.”
He’s going for #50 !
Everyone knows who his girlfriend is looks like her gray dodge stashed in the brush
Who’s his gf? I don’t know…..
Just asking cause she May lost in my neighborhood still…..
Excuse me I’m no longer his girlfriend and my Dodge truck is at my ranch safe and not involved. So please keep me out of it. I had nothing to do with this and would never have any involvement.
So, you dated this piece of work? And had no idea what a piece of work he was?
When I first met him he wasnt like this and helped me on my ranch for along time. I will not make excuses or say in anyway what hes done is acceptable, but inside lost is a guy I got to know and fell in love with. He needs more than to be locked away in a cell, he needs treatment and his TBI’s dealt with on a more serious level. He never has intentionally hurt or wanted to hurt others. I’m sorry for what me may have done to anyone of you or anyone you know but it’s sad when lock him up and throw away the key is all I’m hearing cause that’s not going to help him. But now all I can do is wish the best outcome for him and hope he gets the help he truely needs. I will always love him.
“He never has intentionally hurt or wanted to hurt others.”
No offense, but the public record makes it pretty clear that he doesn’t give a damn about others. He ((allegedly)) just committed arson to cover up a home burglary. He tried to burn down somebody’s home. Let that sink in.
So your saying you have proof he was the person who attempted to burn that place down? Or I’m assuming your going off what someone has said and a picture that doesnt prove anything that I can see proving him guilty of so called allegations. And it states a building on the property no mention of a home and it was unoccupied I read. Im just curious why you are jumping to blame him for it when there were others involved it seems and maybe he was in wrong place wrong time? All I know is whoever is guilty of anything that happened I hope gets the punishment they deserve.
You are in denial big time.
I Call BullShit! His rap sheetspeaks volumes on the kind of person he really is. These are the crimes they have him on. I’m sure there is a list twice as long of They don’t know about. How much did he steal from you before he moved on. These guys are trash. They have no respect and anyone who defends their behavior is a sick and needs help themselves. Think about the people that have worked hard for what they have and these losers think it’s ok to just walk on your property and take what they want. This is as wrong as it gets.
Im sure you wouldn’t feel so compassionate if he’d stolen irreplaceable family heirlooms, ransacked your home, then burned it to the ground. Maybe you can get the poor, misunderstood, manchild into a treatment program before he shows up MIA like others of his type in this county.
I’m wondering if you might have been involved?
Sounds like you know more, like who was the girl with him? Probably the love of his heart? The heroin he was in possession, was it for personal use or with the intent to sale? You cant proof that because he is doing both.. [edit]
Not to be be patronizing or anything, but this gal needs an adjustment to her “mantenna.”.
Nice, panoramic, scenic pics for the Christmas cards and family newsletter. Wrong place at wrong time!? Oh, please. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a law enforcement calendar with bust-of-the-month pics?
Torch-on-post really completes the tableau. Tarantino would toss you from his writing team.
I have knknown Wade since he was 8. He started getting into trouble when he was 13. So sorry but he wasn’t innocent when you started dating him. Nice try though.
I’m not really concerned with what’s in his best interest at this point. He would help the community by being locked away and unable to commit crimes against his neighbors.
I’m wondering why law enforcement didn’t go to the victim’s house in a timely manner. That evidence of arson may have to be negated because someone else touched it, as extremely necessary as it was. The photo he took was not taken by law enforcement and that is important too. The neighbor did the right thing, obviously, but where was law enforcement to check out the home and find this potentially devastating second and worse crime that would for sure put these people away for felony attempted arson.
It’s a fairly isolated area with few police. That they got there in time to pass the crooks fleeing from neighbors shows the police came remarkably fast. And were persistent in their efforts to catch the thieves.
At this point Harris is so recognizable he should run for office…maybe DA?
Supervisor.
How can this guy possibly be out and causing such havoc. It’s astonishing how many times he’s been arrested–stolen cars, waving a gun around, meth, robbery. Insane in the judicial membrane.
If he grows a little weed n gets caught they’ll bring n a convoy full tactical gear choppers some outside Agencies DEA about 20-30 vechiles u know the whole shabang
Exactly Meth Magic!! THE DISGUSTING TRUTH!!
Wrestling with sheriff’s on highway 36 lol
Apparently we haven’t given him enough probation yet.
Great news! Now the DA can give them time served and double secret probation. THAT should make them change their ways!
I’m not surprised. I know a man who, as an adult, kept a 12 year old prisoner for 5 years and impregnated her with his family’s approval and he’s never been arrested. This county had an interesting view of guilt. Just try to grow illegal pot. I’m tired of not knowing if I can trust the law system here.
Wade harris is evil. I contacted the DA about him as I had a bad encounter with him, the police did nothing about it. He must have family money for a good lawyer
No more money than the rest of us. I have family in LE and they say they can’t stand Wade Harris. They’ve both used more colorful language than that to describe him but I’ll leave that to the imagination. As frustrated as we are seeing this POS being arrested over and over again, it’s doubly frustrating for the cops because they know arresting him does literally nothing.
I once heard from a deputy sheriff, with regards to an unrepentant, serial thief, that an excavator can smooth out such problems.
Clearly all agree this guy is bad news, but failing to keep him locked up is not the fault of law enforcement. When the state realigned the prison system moving certain prison sentences over to the counties, the jail became overcrowded overnight. That hurts rural counties, but it is the law, and LEO didn’t ask for it. If we want to prevent cite and release, we need to pay more taxes. We only have ourselves to blame here. Either we pay more taxes to fund a bigger jail, or we get active in state politics and change the law.
Paying more taxes does little to assure that they will go towards law enforcement. The truth is that people here expect government to do many things with each dollar. What we need is a priority where funding goes towards basic government needs first and things beyond that are only funded after all basics are in good shape.
I have the same concern, and agree. Leaving the best way forward to get involved politically. One reason the system is in its current state, is most would rather complain, than take responsibility and engage in politics.
The mom and Pops of the late 60’s and 70’s did precisely that, and were able to affect big change.
Are you kidding we have approved so many taxes for Sheriff, police and highway patrol it’s crazy! They should use that money more wisely! Get some from the cannabis enforcers, they waste so much of their funds. Have you seen all the newer vehicles around? It is cheaper to pay for a new engine then a new vehicle. We pay tax after tax! There is a better answer then more taxes being thrown to any whim they have. Sometimes throwing money at some problem is not the answer needed.
Dont vote for democrats, then
Seriously? That’s the best comment you can come up with? Take your critically defficient political ideals somewhere they fit or anyone cares.
Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
So democrats like people like these dirt bags
He is chasing the 50 strikes and you might be out law.
He has immunity. He is a high level confidential informant. The theory is that he is released every time to gather info on big meth/ heroin traffickers. He is allowed to continue this behavior as the D.A. and his handlers think his actions are the lesser of two evils.
Thank you, you beat me to it. Hes a confidential Informant without the confindental part. Someone should print out about a million flyers with their faces on them stating that they are confidential informants and hang them on every corner in humboldt. Then maybe one of their pos drug dealers will help with the problem
How can his actions be the lesser of two evils? Bust big dealers and they are immediately replaced by other dealers. There is no reduction in the addicts who themselves steal to support their habits.
For each time this scumbag gets caught how many other crimes did he get away with? Busted every 10th time maybe?
I think you’re exactly right. I was thinking the same.
Your so wrong about him being an informant the last thing he would do would be to help any law enforcement.
First of all, I know who you are x girlfriend… and you are a “ok” woman , have done nothing personally to me ! But to defend him is ridiculous!! You have bailed him out multiple times , it’s not a secret my friend!!!!
He needs help, either prison for life with drug addiction help & and you need drug rehab!!! You seem to run with some real pieces of work !!! You know , what family you do have left hang their head every time he gets arrested, what a same for them .
You don’t sound very “ex.”
It sounds like you are doing your best to enable and rationalize this guy’s criminal behavior.
I’ll bet your family is proud.
Three strikes laws? Oh no too many are get long sentences for minor crimes.
Why would you expect anything to change? The same democrats get elected who are changing laws and allowing this. How long have they been running ca. ? You can’t have it both ways.
Democrats r to blame again
I’m a Democrat…not only do I believe in the electric chair, I’d like to see electric bleachers implemented in the prison system! Because no, I don’t want to pay taxes to support scum bags on death row. Site and release should only apply to someone with no prior criminal history or affiliation with known criminals whom they may aid and abet!
I missed a court date for driving on a suspended license, sheriffs (2 in one car) knocked on my front door just as I was leaving for work. I’m a hard working, tax paying well known member of my small community and they arrested me! I explained that I work 3 nights/2 days in a row a week, there would be no one there to open the business, my employer needs to be contacted, etc.!! Oh but no, those sheriffs were gung ho to take ME to jail!
And they let multiple x offenders with violent crimes against the community walk! You think I voted for that law as a Democrat…? Hell the f*ck no I didn’t!
Agreed. My big concern is that somebody- a decent person and a protector of the community- will finally have enough and bury a thief like this. And then that decent person will end up getting prosecuted and imprisoned when they actually did a community service and are a good neighbor. Because …the system is broken. So broken that vigilantism becomes a reasonable solution…That’s why the TV show “Dexter” was so popular. We don’t want vigilantism but then what?- we are left with a crumbling society full of thieves and worse?
It’s called progressiveness . The work of free thinkers and liberals. California is a toilet bowl of people like wade.It will only get worse until we the people pass laws to put POS like this in prison. Forever. I know of a handful of tweeker thieves in southern humboldt who constantly pull sh!t like this every day of the week. They are never punished. They have ruined the lives of many people but continue to walk among us. They are untouchable until someone decides to end it, once and for all.To the neighbors who stepped up to stop this, kudos! Next time, start with there hands….. it’s hard to steal when one has no hands.
Why dont you do us all a favor and gtfo of California then?
I don’t understand how he keeps getting out. The realignment didn’t allow for this kind of reoffender, this is some prolific, constant shit. What? The cops can’t find another snitch? I really don’t get it.
HES A CONFIDENTIAL (edit) INFORNMANT! you want him in (edit) jail? You are literally going to have to call the DA with a petition and demand that he gets punishment because she’s protecting him like he’s Dick Cheney’s illegitamate child.
hang ‘em high.
It’s gettin’ time to bring back the Old Testament
That’s the problem with this county, too many people eating shellfish and not enough communal foot-bathing.
Dad?
there are many any many more related crimes involving wade,,hes got lots of them wares is his guns, when I hear a car at nighttime think ,I better check it out,,,,could be wade,,,,,robbing people is his job
Evans is already out! Lmfao! Dam, so it’s that easy in California huh. The amount of sh!t I know, I should get a job with ol Wade. I could be a millionaire in a week and only do 4 hours of jail time… hmmmm? Why am I working? Maybe there something too this socialism that I’m missing out on? I think I’m starting to get it!
there has to be some people who are locked up, good people with love and respect of family who aren’t there to protect there’s who can get through to this piece of shit
You growers have created this outlaw culture! Now you sit back and whine as you reap the seeds you have sewn.
Nope, your government created these pos monsters allowing them to get immunity because they are “giving” up intel on narcotics. I just wonder when these two meth head home invading pos finally kill someone, and get caught, is the government liable?
Yawn…
Sown…
Don’t blame outlaw culture on the growers who were here in the hills long before this tweeker zombie apocalypse started .
Up and involved in high speed police chase by 7am ? That’methed up.
Really? And look how fast it spread to the rest if the US and beyond. Get your head out of your grass lol
For anyone that’s interested, Wesley Evans lives, or at least did when he ripped my friend off, in rio dell on the north end of town. In a two story house that’s half assed painted white between 101 and Main Street. You can see it from the freeway if you look left before the last rio dell exit heading north.
I don’t know you, but you had no reason to post what you did, if you want to come and finish the painting your more than welcome to, and besides this isn’t a 2 story house, get. Your facts straight before blowing things out of porporition,
The reason I posted that is I followed Wesley to that building after he was caught ripping people off and when I confronted him he told me he lived there. It’s not blowing it out of proportion, it’s a public notice of a threat to the community. I feel that people should be able to get their property back since the cops aren’t capable. I see that you didn’t deny that he lives there? Good to know that address is still current residence. It pays to keep tabs on pos’
Two man crime spree. 47 reported cases just for one suspect. Dozens more unreported .Why do they keep being let out.
For all of you who think that Wade gets out of trouble by being a snitch,
YOU ARE SO WRONG !
He would never rat out anyone and that’s the strait up Truth.
He hates snitches just as much as you hate him so if you don’t know what you’re talkin about,
DONT TALK !
He complains about snitches? File that under, “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”
I feel like you’ve misread the room.
Tell us how it’s done then???
Ya Right take the Crack pipe out of your Mouth , That is exactly All DAs work its called Snitch n Release DUH!! And Dan Dobbs was never a snitch either DUH!
Go Team Wade! Maybe you have things in common…he kisses a lot of a** to get out of jail!
Lol no he is a snitch look at all the meth bust but yes he said it himself when he was coming back too after overdosing near Miranda and the medics were bringing him back, his words, “ ya I told the cops but they were gonna take my boy from me please please what else do you want to know don’t take me to jail” he said it loud enough were more then 2 people heard it, so good job Estelle way to protect our rights like you say B.S. he ran his mouth we know down here in SoHum how ur getting all ur meth busts, but way to use us like chest but you’ll be out soon and hopefully Bushnell takes it!!!!!
May the law enforcement should follow what they were sworn into duty for. You would run to if everytime you seen them coming cause they have beat him and done things that are not following the law themselves. So why should the citizens have to follow laws if the Law enforcement officials can’t seem to themselves. Sheriff Esget(sp) is a prime example in my opinion. I’m not a criminal, try to find a record on me, I’m not defending anyone I’m just saying from my own experiences with Wade officer Esget has broken laws himself and that’s okay? Harrassment I felt with just myself being followed and attempting to get me to pull over when theres no reasoning. I’m not saying all law enforcement is corrupt but theres more than enough who are.
Your so full of it and who heard him that was there when this happened. Wade is alot of things but a snitch for sure isn’t one of them.
And now states like New York or pushing to even eliminate bail… I’m sure it won’t be long before California follows suit.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1111346
Hopefully one of Maggie’s little DAIs will dutifully trot into her office with all these comments and show her so maybe she can take some fucking interest in actually doing prosecutorial shit. It would seem as if the community demands it. Failing that at least all this animosity towards Wade will help establish a good defense for whoever smokes this fool at his next caper.
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Great editor’s note about your relationship to the people in the neighborhood, Kym. Sometimes, as journalists in remote areas, we have to write about something we are personally familiar with or even involved in. Your commitment to a journalistic ethic so often ignored is laudable.
I find it interesting that this incident is being referred to as a “Rip Off” instead of A” Burglary”. Didn’t see where
cannabis was even mentioned. This fact seems to speak to a interesting issue regarding peoples assumtions of
So Hummers.
Rip off is just a synonym for theft. https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip-off
Wade Harris was a complete nightmare in elementary school, a bully and a perv. I switched schools because of him.
KooWade Harris doesnt give 2 fucks about someone else or thejr lives, nkr does he have any respect for anyone whatsoever. He would take out anyone in his way to get what he wants. Even revenge. I was riding with a buddy of mine who was jn the store when Wade Harris jumps in the front seat scaring the shit out of me. He pressed the lock button and locked me jn the car and as I was panicking he starts calmly telling me hes nkt going to hurt me and to calm down. He wants to know who I am and where my friend is “the owner of the car”? Then he starts hitting on me telling me im beautiful and he could give me a ride home. He tells me his name and says he doesnt want any trouble just to talk to my buddy about some pounds that my buddy stole from him recently. I told him i have no idea what hes talking about and it didnt concern me. Then he starts flipping out. Vandalizing the car, destroying everything he can while im locked in it. And pulls out a torch from a bag and turns the gas on, he unlocks the car laughing and i jump out and head into the store to find my friend. Long story short this guy put my saftey in jepordy over someone possibly doing the same shit he does to everyone else! He takes and takes but is enraged when he is takin from! What a joke!
Nice story. Keep dreaming and making shit up.
[edit]
I locked my place up last week en route to the gem show. Watching the cameras like a hawk for just this type of visitor.