John Mastel booking photo
FAIRHAVEN — 42-year-old parolee John Forrest Mastel Jr. has been arrested this week after being caught red-handed with a stolen vehicle.
On December 5th at approximately 5:10 PM, a Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff noticed a black Ford pickup truck stopped at the intersection of Simpson Road and Lincoln Avenue. A records check revealed that the truck had been reported stolen out of Eureka, at which point a traffic stop was attempted.
Mastel hit the gas and a pursuit began, though it was terminated after Mastel began driving so erratically that officers feared for the safety of other motorists if they continued the pursuit.
Police continued to search the Manila area and eventually found Mastel on Peninsula Drive. He was found to be in possession of brass kunckles and various other small tools commonly used in the commission of burglaries.
Mastel was transported and booked into Humboldt County Correctional Facility for theft of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of burglary tools, carrying a dirk or dagger, possession of metal knuckles, violation of parole, and evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety. His bail has been set at $50,000.
