On 07-13-2015, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a citizen contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and reported that he believed the suspect in the Redway Elementary School burglary was currently standing near the intersection of Redwood Drive and Willow Avenue, Redway.
Upon Sheriff’s Deputies arrival, they contacted Michael Terrell Wilks (age 26 from Hattiesburg Mississippi). Also present was the teacher who initially reported the burglary on 07-10-15. The teacher was able to positively identify Wilks as the same person that she observed sleeping in her classroom.
Wilks waived his Miranda Rights and was questioned about the burglary. Wilks admitted to entering the classroom with the intent to steal food. Wilks also stated that he needed a place to sleep for the evening and figured the school was a good place because it was summer. Wilks denied stealing the school’s laptop computer or hand held radios. These items are still outstanding.
Wilks was placed under arrest for burglary and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Wilks’ bail was set at $50,000.
Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539
Mike Downey
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On 07-10-2015, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Sherriff’s Deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Redway Elementary School (344 Humboldt Avenue) to investigate the report of a burglary.
Upon the Deputies arrival, they spoke to a teacher who reported the following: The teacher went to her classroom at about 11:15 a.m. this morning. When she opened her classroom door she discovered a man sleeping underneath a classroom table. The man appeared to have made himself a bed by placing two beanbags together. The man was also in possession of various food items that were stored inside the classroom. The teacher yelled out to the man and told him to leave. When asked by the teacher, the man stated that he gained access from an unsecured classroom window. The man exited the classroom and proceeded to walk towards Empire Avenue.
It was later discovered that school property was missing from the classroom. Two handheld Motorola radios were stolen. They are further described as mostly black with red accents. There was also a classroom laptop computer that was stolen. At this time there is no further description of the computer.
Deputies processed the classroom for evidence and were able to successfully locate latent fingerprints on a classroom window. Additional evidence left behind by the suspect was also collected and will be further examined for possible fingerprints.
Deputies checked the surrounding areas and were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a white male adult, mid 30’s, about 5’10” tall, short dark hair, and clean shaven. He was last seen wearing a grey sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black shoes.
Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539
Mike Downey
Sheriff