On 07-18-2014, after receiving citizen tips the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify the three suspects in the photographs that were released to the press. The investigating deputy arrested Mary Elizabeth Cruz, 51 years old of Eureka at her residence. She was booked into the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Facility on a charge of burglary and forgery. She was booked and released on her own recognizance.
The deputy located the second suspect, Philip Ashley Wormington, 45 years old, at a local hospital emergency room. Wormington was issued a notice to appear in court for forgery and burglary, and released at the emergency room to be treated for health issues he was having.
The third suspect has been identified as Nicholas Paul Boswell, 34 years old. Boswell is wanted for burglary and forgery. He is further described as a white male adult, 5’ 6’’ tall, 145 lbs, has a shaved head and blue eyes. He has a tattoo on his neck of brass knuckles and the words “Hola”. A “Be-on-the-Lookout” has been broadcast to all local law enforcement agencies for Boswell.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
Previous
On 07-9-2014, at approximately 10:50 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a 33 year old Eureka woman, who reported her vehicle was broken into and her purse was stolen. The victim told the investigating deputy she had parked her 2008 Chevy Suburban on New Navy Base Road, at Samoa Beach, on 7-8-2014, at approximately 6:00 p.m. and went for a run on the beach. When the victim returned to her vehicle she saw her window was smashed and her purse was gone. She told the deputy she left her purse on the back seat. The victim did not report the theft at that time.
On the morning of 7-9-2014 she checked her checking account. When she did, she discovered her debit card had been used four times since the burglary. The victim had written the pin number for her debit card down on a piece of paper and kept the piece of paper in her purse. The card had been used at Walgreens, Winco, DK Market and Safeway, all in Eureka. The card was used at all four stores between 8:00 p.m. on 7-8-2014 and 7:30 a.m. on 7-9-2014.
The investigating deputy was able to obtain store security videos from two of the stores. The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects.
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.
The Sheriff’s Office requests anyone seeing suspicious activity near vehicles parked on area beaches to call and report it. The Sheriff’s also wants to remind the public do not leave valuables in their vehicles, especially in plain sight. Discreetly lock valuable in the trunk of your vehicle or take them with you when you walk on area beaches and trails. If you wallet or purse is stolen immediately call your credit card company and/or banks and report it to local law enforcement. Thieves will usually use the cards as soon as possible before they are reported stolen and rendered useless.
Mike Downey
Sheriff