Arcata burglary suspect leaves behind trail of evidence leading to his arrest

ARCATA, CA. – A trail of stolen clothes leads Arcata police to an accused burglar.

Officers answered a call about a commercial burglary in progress in the 900 block of H street on Monday.

With the front glass door broken, they searched inside, but didn’t find anyone.

Officers expanded their search – that’s when they noticed items of clothing like that in the store, lying in the street.

They followed a trail of items which led them to a shed a few hundred yards down the street.

There, officers ordered the burglary suspect to come out.

He did, and fled, but was caught after a foot chase.

24-year-old Zacharia Joseph Powell of Arcata is now charged with burglary and resisting a peace officer.

About $4,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to the store.