One Arrested; Many At Large From Cannabis Farm Robbery

Miranda, California — On July 24, 2023, just after 4 pm, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a licensed cannabis farm in Miranda for an armed robbery.

One male was located on the property with minor injuries when deputies arrived. The victim told deputies former manager, 49-year-old Thomas Vernon Harwood Junior, showed up to the property unannounced with approximately ten others wearing masks. While at the property, Harwood assaulted the victim and kept him in a vehicle, while the men in masks stole large amounts of cannabis under Harwood’s instructions. The victim did escape in the vehicle and met deputies further down the road.

Harwood was still on the property when deputies arrived on scene, and was arrested. Witnesses say men in masks got into a white Ford pickup with concealed license plates. The suspected masked men are described as Hispanic men, wearing dark clothes, body armor and are possibly armed.

Harwood is booked in the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of robbery, first degree burglary, false imprisonment, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

For the full report, visit https://humboldtgov.org/civicalerts.aspx?AID=5253.

Anyone with information to help with this case, please contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707)445-7251 or the Crime Tip line at (707)268-2539.