Transient drives away with vehicle in Trinidad; arrested later for heroin

On September 9, 2014 at about 6:17 PM a Deputy with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office noted a male subject acting suspiciously at the City of Trinidad Chevron Station.  The male subject entered a vehicle that had been parked at that business and drove away from the service station with noted mechanical defects to the vehicle, a 1999, blue, Volkswagen, 4 door, CA#5DJN531.  The Deputy conducted a vehicle stop on the vehicle near the Ocean Grove Bar, Patrick’s Point Drive, and determined the driver to be Michael David Waters (31 year old, transient) who was accompanied by an female passenger.  Waters was determined to be an unlicensed driver and upon search of the vehicle, several items were located that the Deputy suspected might be stolen but were not verifiable as stolen by serial numbers or known thefts (laptop in case, jewelry and an iPad, among other items).  Also located in the vehicle was a small amount of loose leaf marijuana (less than 26 grams) and three key ring sets.

A search of Waters person resulted in locating small amount of suspected tar heroin.  The vehicle was towed and stored due to the unlicensed status of Waters.  Waters was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for violations of being an unlicensed driver, possession of less than 28.5 grams of marijuana, possession of a suspected controlled substance (heroin) and driving a motor vehicle with an obstructed front windshield.

Attached is the booking photo of Waters and the three key ring sets found in the vehicle.  The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking identification of these three unique looking key rings for possible identification as stolen and/or lost.  Anyone that may have information about these key rings is asked to call Deputy Dennis Gagnon at 707-445-7251.