Officers hunt down suspected burglar

Alleged accomplice, another parolee also nabbed

Humboldt Sentinel staff

7/9/09

Eureka

A Eureka man wanted in connection with a June 26 burglary and subsequent credit card fraud was caught today, along with an accomplice and a third subject.

Steven Lawrence Dorfman, 38, already had an active warrant for violating his parole when he was also accused of the burglary and of making use of stolen credit cards. At about 5:40 p.m. yesterday, Bayshore Mall security personnel spotted Dorfman with a female subject and notified the Eureka Police Department. While the private security firm kept track of Dorfman, EPD officers responded, but too late, as he and his companion left the mall prior to their arrival.

The license plate of his vehicle was recorded, however, and a county-wide alert led to a California Highway Patrol officer locating his vehicle at a Eureka motel about three hours later. EPD officers once again closed in on Dorfman, who once again attempted to escape with his companion, this time on foot.

After a short foot pursuit they were taken into custody, and Dorfman was charged with burglary, theft by access card, resisting arrest and possession of stolen property. His companion, 23-year-old Eureka resident Christina Renee Asbury, was charged with violating the terms of her probation, with involvement in the burglary, and was also found to be in possession of counterfeit US bills.

Back at the motel room, a search uncovered several knives, methamphetamine, marijuana and a fire safe. A 27-year-old Eureka man, Shad Andrew Sovereign, was found in the motel room and taken into custody for parole violation.

The vehicle Dorfman and Asbury left Bayshore Mall with was located at the motel and towed until a search warrant could be obtained, and the investigation is ongoing, according to a release by EPD detective sergeant Patrick O’Neill.