Fortuna police searching for ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect who allegedly fled auto repair shop where several stolen vehicles were found | Lost Coast Outpost

Press release from Fortuna Police:

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at approximately 1:14 p.m., a Fortuna Police Officer located a stolen vehicle in the 1600 block of Meadowlark Court in Fortuna.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the crime scene was an auto repair shop, as several stolen vehicles were stored there. Stolen vehicles were found parked in front of the house and in the garage. A total of three stolen vehicles were recovered. The suspect was identified as Daniel Ray Fidler (50 years old) from Fortuna. Fidler fled the house into the Jameson Creek area and into the dense wooded area directly behind the house. A tracking dog was deployed, but Fidler had already fled the area before it was deployed.

A request for mutual aid was made and Fortuna Police coordinated officers’ efforts to establish a perimeter around the creek and wooded area. Information was received that Fidler may have been in possession of a handgun and made comments regarding “suicide by cop.”

Fortuna police officers, a Fortuna tracking dog, the Fortuna drone vehicle and officers from allied agencies searched the area for Fidler, but were unsuccessful. It is believed that Fidler had an accomplice pick him up and then fled the area.

Based on the investigation, Daniel Ray Finder is wanted in connection with the following crimes:

• California Vehicle Code Section 10801 – Operation of an automobile repair shop
• California Penal Code Section 496(d) – Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (X3 counts)
• California Penal Code Section 29800 – Possession of a firearm by prohibited person
• California Penal Code Section 33215 – Possession of a Short Barrel Shotgun
• California Penal Code, Section 30305(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of Ammunition
• California Penal Code Section 1203.2(a) – Violation of Probation
• California Penal Code, Section 148(a)(1) – Obstructing, resisting, and delaying the performance of a peace officer’s duties
• California Penal Code Section 466 – Possession of Burglary Tools

It should be noted that Filder is serving a suspended sentence and has an arrest warrant for kidnapping.

While officers were searching the scene, Rio Dell Police became involved in a chase with a vehicle that police knew was connected to this incident. A stolen silver Jeep led Rio Dell Police on a high-speed chase that ended in the rural area of ​​Ferndale. The vehicle was found unoccupied, but the two incidents are believed to be related.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Fidler is considered armed and dangerous. Fidler is a career criminal with known access to firearms. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Fortuna Police at (707)725-7550.

We would like to thank our allied agencies, the California Highway Patrol, Rio Dell Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire Law Enforcement for their assistance with this incident.