Man robs Umpqua Bank then walks to Courthouse to turn himself in

(Jonathan Hening)

This morning a man robbed Umpqua Bank on 5th Street in Eureka this morning, then walked a block to the Courthouse, went up to security on 5th Street, said he had a gun and cash and that he wanted to turn himself in. Eureka Police Department were already on their way and had been looking for Johnathan Edward Lee Hening Security contacted HCSO. Hening was detained until EPD arrived and took him into custody. No gun was found by EPD but initial reports from people from a few people in the courthouse claimed Hening had a gun. Hening was booked into the jail for PC 211 robbery.

Hening has a previous conviction for assault and was granted probation. Court minutes arent available but e court lists Retired Judge Christopher Wilson as the one who sentenced him.

A few people reached out to me just now. I contacted EPD PIO Laura Montagna. She confirmed this happened.  EPD issued a press release at 6:57 p.m.

EPD Press Release (6:57 p.m):

On March 6, 2024, at approximately 9:20 am., Eureka Police Department (EPD) officers responded to the 700 block of 5th Street for the report of a bank robbery that had just occurred.  The reporting party stated a male subject entered the bank, passed the teller a note stating he had a weapon and this was a robbery.  The teller complied with the suspect and the suspect fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. 

While officers were searching the vicinity for the suspect, EPD’s Communications Center received information that that suspect was being detained inside the courthouse on the 5th Street side.  

Upon officer’s arrival, they met with a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy who had detained the suspect at the security check point.  EPD Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. 

The suspect was identified as 58-year-old Jonathan Hening of Eureka.  The investigation revealed that after committing the robbery, Hening began to regret his actions, entered the courthouse and surrendered himself to the security personnel at the checkpoint.   All the cash from the robbery was recovered on Hening’s person at the time of his arrest and no weapon was found. Hening was placed under arrest and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on a robbery charge.