On Sept. 21, 2021, at about 10 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Martin’s Ferry Bridge near Weitchpec to assist the Yurok Tribal Police Department with the report of a burglary suspect being detained by community members.

During their investigation, deputies learned a burglary had occurred at the Yurok Tribe Veterans Cemetery and a nearby wireless tower building that morning, during which the suspect had forced entry into storage buildings, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of property damage, and stealing numerous items.

Employees arriving to work at the wireless tower observed a vehicle traveling near the cemetery with backend damage consistent with the property damages. The employees reportedly followed the vehicle, intercepted it at the bridge and detained the driver, 19-year-old Rocky Ryan Robbins, until peace officers’ arrival.  

During a search of the vehicle, deputies located several of the stolen items, burglary tools and drug paraphernalia.

Robbins was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of burglary (PC 459/461(b)), possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)), possession of burglary tools (PC 466), vandalism (PC 594(b)(1)) and possession of a controlled substance paraphernalia (HS 11364(a)).

This case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

 Rocky Ryan Robbins | Humboldt County Correctional Facility