80 year old resists arrest for alleged vehicle theft

On Aug. 27, 2023, at about 4:21 p.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the Ferndale area for the report of a vehicle theft.

According to the victim, an acquaintance, 80-year-old Steven Foster Stiles, had reportedly entered the victim’s home on Upper Bear River Road without consent while the victim was away. Stiles then reportedly stole a vehicle belonging to the victim. While returning to the residence, the victim located Stiles and the vehicle on Wildcat Road.  

A deputy responded to the area and located Stiles on foot approximately a quarter mile from the stolen vehicle’s location. Upon deputy contact, Stiles attempted to flee over a metal gate on a private road but was quickly apprehended.

Stiles was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)), possession of a stolen vehicle (PC 496d(a)) and resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a))