Robbery leads to car theft

Drive-up assault was at gunpoint; two assailants at large

Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/29/09

Eureka

Police are looking for the men who stole a car at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 from two men at a Broadway motel.

Two men in a dark truck pulled up alongside one of the victims as he was walking north on N Street toward a gas station. Someone in the passenger seat aimed a gun at him and demanded his belongings before getting out and striking him with the gun.

The assailants, who spoke Spanish and English, took his wallet, cell phone and car keys.

After the assailants drove away the man returned to the motel and told his friend what had happened, the second man went to the parking lot to see if the first man's car had been stolen and found one of the assailants trying to start the engine. The second victim tried to stop the car thief, but the assailant was able to start the car and drive away.

During their scuffle the thief lost one of his shoes. Both victims had minor injuries but refused medical attention.

The stolen vehicle is a grey 2008 Nissan Sentra with Oregon license plate 657DYD.

Anyone with information in this matter is urged to contact Eureka Police Department detective sergeant O'Neill at (707) 441-4300.