Alleged Car Thief Arrested in Eureka, one still at large

EUREKA – Officers responded to a call on Saturday morning at approximately 5:48 a.m. regarding a vehicle theft on the 2900 block of A Street in Eureka.  Police were informed that a U-Haul truck hitched to a trailer with the victim’s car inside had just been absconded from in front of the victim’s home.

Police seek Canyon Lee Backues, 19

Police promptly searched the surrounding area and spotted the U-Haul truck making a turn onto Harris Avenue from “L” Street.  The truck passenger and driver hopped out, onto the street and began to run.  Police brandished a gun at one subject before taking him into custody, Jeff Peter Thomsen, 34, of Eureka. While Thomsen was being arrested, the U-Haul began moving and hit a telephone pole at the corner of K and Harris Streets.  The subjects had left the U-Haul running in gear as they fled.

The officers released the K-9 unit which trailed the run-away subject to Sequoia Park, but officers could not find him.  Thomsen was lodged at the Humboldt County Correction Facility on charges of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and probation violation.  Thomsen is on operative probation for possession of stolen property.

Harris Ave. and L St. where police stopped suspects

Officers are seeking an arrest warrant for 19-year-old Canyon Lee Backues of Eureka as the subject who evaded arrest.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Eureka Police Officer Ben Omey at 707-441-4060

Read more:

Times-Standard: Eureka police arrest man in U-Haul theft, seek suspect on run