Stolen vehicle’s GPS leads to suspect in Redway

REDWAY, CA. (KIEM) – From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On June 13, 2018, at about 2:30 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received information that a vehicle stolen from a Fortuna business was on Apple Lane in Redway. The stolen vehicle was outfitted with an owner-installed GPS tracker similar to fleet tracking software; most people know if you have a fleet of vehicles tracking is essential, which is likely why this owner had installed one himself. The tracker provided real-time location information, which was relayed to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center.

Sheriff’s Deputies and the California Highway Patrol were able to locate the vehicle using the GPS information and followed it onto Alderpoint Road. The California Highway Patrol took over as the primary agency as a pursuit ensued.

The pursuit continued for approximately 20 minutes. The solo-occupant, 23-year-old Maxwell Thomas Elliott of Rio Dell, stopped the vehicle on River Road and fled on foot. He was quickly apprehended.

Elliott was arrested on a felony warrant for vehicle theft, prohibited person in possession of
ammunition, buying or receiving a stolen vehicle, in addition to three counts of prison priors, PC667.5(b). This is a no-bail warrant. Additionally Elliott was booked on fresh charges of evading a peace officer and buying or receiving a stolen vehicle.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.