APD/LVPD Catch Fugitive In ’06 Grow House Shooting – June 23, 2010
Kevin L. Hoover
Eye Editor
SUNNY BRAE – It was four years ago, on June 8, 2006, that Arcata Police first became acquainted with Vincent Mitchell, then 22, of Richmond.
Responding to a report of an argument in the 900 block of Bayside Road at about 10 p.m. that night, APD officers encountered four subjects leaving the residence. One man was bleeding from a gunshot wound to his leg. The victim was yelling that one of the subjects was armed with a gun. The officer detained all four subjects at gunpoint until backup officers arrived.
Investigation revealed that two suspects entered the residence and held the two victims at gunpoint during a robbery. One of the victims attempted to disarm the suspect with the gun, and, during a struggle, was shot in the leg.
The suspects then took marijuana and money from the residence and were attempting to abduct the victims to take them to another location to obtain more money when the first officer arrived.
The suspects were identified as Vincent Mitchell, 22, of Richmond, California and Tina Adams, 22, of Pittsburg, California. Mitchell was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility charges of assault with a deadly weapon, home invasion robbery, kidnapping, burglary of an inhabited dwelling, possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of marijuana for sale. Adams was booked for home invasion robbery and possession of marijuana for sale.
The gunshot victim was treated and released at Mad River Community Hospital.
Mitchell subsequently posted bail and disappeared, failing to appear for a scheduled court date and becoming a wanted fugitive.
Vincent Mitchell
Recently, the APD records team reviewed the case and came up with new information. Las Vegas Metro Police apparently came close to apprehending Mitchell at one point, with what APD Lt. Ryan Peterson called “a movie-like chase” that involved a car going through a garage door.
This time, Las Vegas PD posted Mitchell’s picture on its “Wanted Fugitives” online gallery, and it brought results.
“Someone called and said, ‘Hey, that guy works here,’” Peterson said. Mitchell was arrested and is being returned to Humboldt County to stand trial for the outstanding charges.
For her part, Adams was convicted of being an accessory to robbery and served out her probation without incident.
The Mitchell case news was released via APD’s new Facebook page. “It’s just another way we can help the public and let them know what we’re doing,” Peterson said.
