EPD badge stickers on stolen property lead to arrest of 20 year old suspect

On August 8, 2026, at approximately 12:10 a.m., a Eureka Police Department (EPD) officer responded to the area of Union Street and West Wabash Avenue for a report of a theft from a vehicle.

Upon arrival, the officer contacted the victim, who reported that multiple pieces of equipment had been taken from their vehicle. The victim advised that one of the stolen items could be identified by several “EPD” badge stickers affixed to the top, as well as its serial number.

Before contacting police, the victim spoke with a male subject in the area and asked if he had seen anyone who may have taken the equipment. The male indicated that he had seen a possible suspect fleeing the area. 

Officers checked the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect or the stolen property.

Later that same day, at approximately 8:15 p.m., the handling officers conducted a patrol check of the area in an attempt to locate the stolen property. An officer located the male subject who had previously spoken with the victim. The male was identified as 20-year-old Eureka resident Vincent Potts, who was known to officers and matched the description provided by the victim.

Upon contacting Potts, the officer observed an item in the backseat of his vehicle that appeared to resemble one of the items reported stolen. Potts was detained, and a subsequent search of the vehicle confirmed the item was the stolen equipment. The equipment was identified by the “EPD” badge stickers affixed to it. An additional piece of equipment reported stolen was also located in another vehicle associated with Potts.

Potts was taken into custody for possession of stolen property. The stolen equipment was recovered and wasreturned to its owner.