Male victim injured in roadside robbery was zip tied and discovered by firefighters

On Sept. 30, 2020, at about 5:30 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a large pull out in the area of Shelter Cove Road and Paradise Ridge Road near Whitethorn for the report of a robbery victim discovered on the roadside.

Local firefighters traveling in the area reportedly discovered the 45-year-old male victim lying on the ground near a lumber truck, bound with zip-ties and seriously injured. The firefighters assisted in freeing the victim from his bondage and called law enforcement for assistance. The victim was transported to an out of area hospital where he is currently in critical but stable condition.

Upon further investigation, deputies learned that the victim is a local lumber delivery worker and had stopped briefly in the area while in between deliveries when he was reportedly approached by three or more men. The men reportedly physically assaulted the victim and stole an undisclosed amount of money from inside the victim’s truck.

The suspects are only described as Spanish-speaking Hispanic male adults possibly associated with a newer-model white Toyota Tacoma and an older-model green Chevy truck. The suspects left the area in an unknown direction of travel prior to the victim being located.

This case is still under investigation.