On 04-08-2016 at about 1:50 p.m. two Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were doubled in a patrol vehicle parked in downtown Hoopa. The deputies noticed two vehicles parked next to each other near their patrol vehicle. Those two vehicles were a red, Jeep and a black, Volkswagen.
The deputies could hear some type of loud verbal argument occurring between a male and female subject associated with the vehicles. The deputies then walked over to the two vehicles. The deputies contacted, Mervin Louis George III age 18, who was arguing with his mother over an I-Pad that he wanted her to give back to him.
As the deputies were trying to resolve this family issue they were flagged down by another citizen, who wanted to report that someone had just intentionally started a vegetation fire on Jury Lane off Highway 96, which was approximately ½ mile from their location. The deputies then left the verbal argument to deal with the possible in progress arson fire. The deputies told George they would be back shortly to finish their conversation. George yelled profanities at the deputies when they left. When the deputies arrived on Jury Lane the alleged arson fire was not as reported.
When the deputies were turning back onto Highway 96 from Jury Lane they saw a black Volkswagen driving in the center turn lane north bound on Highway 96 passing another vehicle at a high rate of speed. The deputies were stopped in the center turn lane. The black Volkswagen after passing the vehicle stayed in the center passing lane and accelerated towards their patrol vehicle at a high rate of speed. The deputies turned on their overhead emergency lights to warn the vehicle they were law enforcement. The driver of the vehicle continued to accelerate towards their patrol vehicle. Just prior to colliding with their vehicle the black Volkswagen swerved to avoid a collision.
The deputies followed the black Volkswagen as it turned off onto Jury Lane and stopped. The deputies pulled in behind the Volkswagen with their patrol vehicle. The deputies then saw the reverse lights come on and the Volkswagen started to back up quickly towards their patrol vehicle. The deputies had to back up their patrol vehicle quickly to avoid being struck by the Volkswagen the second time. The Volkswagen then came to a stop on a grassy area on the side of the road.
The deputies got out of their vehicle and immediately contacted Mervin George, who was the driver of the Volkswagen. The deputies asked George to step out of his vehicle and he ignored their commands. The deputies then reached into the vehicle and had to physically remove George from his vehicle and place him under arrest. Once handcuffed and under arrest George attempted to pull away from the deputies. George began to scream obscenities at the deputies. George threatened to cut and shoot the deputies and put them in the grave. Deputies searched George’s vehicle and person and did not locate any weapons.
As deputies were walking George toward the patrol vehicle, George jumped up and kicked the patrol car with his feet. George was then transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka. George was booked into jail for the following charges. George’s bail was set at $75,000.
1. Assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer.
2. Threating a peace office with violence.
3. Resisting arrest.
4. Reckless driving.
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.
Mike Downey
Sheriff