OFF THE WIRE
Donna Tam
The Times-Standard
A Eureka man is in custody after being arrested for nine drug, weapon and parole-related charges after officers searched his garage and found a locked room reportedly used for storing drugs and guns.
Steven Michael Stolberg, 36, was arrested Sunday after Eureka Police officers pursued him while he was riding his motorcycle. Stolberg's arraignment is tentatively scheduled for today, according to the District Attorney's Office.
He was booked into the Humboldt County jail on charges of parole violation, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a space for the purpose of drug use and sales, unlawful possession of hypodermic needles, reckless driving, felony possession and use of a false license plate, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of a short-barreled shotgun.
According to a press release, Stolberg had a “safe room” set up in the garage off an alley near L and 4th streets that had an active video surveillance set up to monitor the entrance of his garage as well as the alley outside.
Officers said they were following a “suspicious” blue sport motorcycle driving in the vicinity of West Del Norte and Pine streets when it rolled through a stop sign around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The motorcycle went eastbound on Wabash Street, reaching estimated speeds of 85 to 100 mph, the police reported.
Officers lost sight of the motorcycle after it turned southbound onto D Street, but found
the motorcycle in the open garage around 8:25 p.m.
According to the press release, the motorcycle had an out-of-state license plate affixed to it that did not match its vehicle identification number. The officer detained four people in the garage, including Stolberg, who officers determined was renting the garage.
The officers determined that the other three people were not involved. They were identified and released.
Officers searched the garage pursuant to Stolberg's parole conditions. Inside a secure, locked room in the garage, officers reported locating a small quantity of methamphetamine, processed marijuana in a hidden safe in the wall, drug use paraphernalia including hypodermic needles, empty drug bindles and evidence of drug sales activity, including a digital gram scale disguised as a music CD case and drug packaging materials.
Additionally, authorities also reported finding a sawed-off 12-gauge, pistol grip shotgun hidden in the secured room. The shotgun was loaded with 12 gauge slugs. Officers found a digital camera with the serial number removed. The camera's memory card contained a photo of Stolberg holding the shotgun.
The garage was also filled with tools and contained motorcycle parts and several motorcycles, some in various stages of disassembly.
EPD Sgt. Steve Watson said Stolberg had been working on a motorcycle, not owned by Stolberg, that had a Hells Angels emblem on it, but there was no other indication that Stolberg had any relation to the motorcycle gang.
”I can't say for sure that he has any connection to them, but I can't say that he isn't,” he said.
The property owner, who lives out of area, was contacted and an inspection date is being set due to various electrical and fire hazards discovered in the shop. An eviction notice is expected to follow, the release said.
Donna Tam can be reached at 441-0532 or dtam@times-standard.com.
Steven Michael Stolberg, 36, was arrested Sunday after Eureka Police officers pursued him while he was riding his motorcycle. Stolberg's arraignment is tentatively scheduled for today, according to the District Attorney's Office.
He was booked into the Humboldt County jail on charges of parole violation, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a space for the purpose of drug use and sales, unlawful possession of hypodermic needles, reckless driving, felony possession and use of a false license plate, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of a short-barreled shotgun.
According to a press release, Stolberg had a “safe room” set up in the garage off an alley near L and 4th streets that had an active video surveillance set up to monitor the entrance of his garage as well as the alley outside.
Officers said they were following a “suspicious” blue sport motorcycle driving in the vicinity of West Del Norte and Pine streets when it rolled through a stop sign around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The motorcycle went eastbound on Wabash Street, reaching estimated speeds of 85 to 100 mph, the police reported.
Officers lost sight of the motorcycle after it turned southbound onto D Street, but found
the motorcycle in the open garage around 8:25 p.m.
According to the press release, the motorcycle had an out-of-state license plate affixed to it that did not match its vehicle identification number. The officer detained four people in the garage, including Stolberg, who officers determined was renting the garage.
The officers determined that the other three people were not involved. They were identified and released.
Officers searched the garage pursuant to Stolberg's parole conditions. Inside a secure, locked room in the garage, officers reported locating a small quantity of methamphetamine, processed marijuana in a hidden safe in the wall, drug use paraphernalia including hypodermic needles, empty drug bindles and evidence of drug sales activity, including a digital gram scale disguised as a music CD case and drug packaging materials.
Additionally, authorities also reported finding a sawed-off 12-gauge, pistol grip shotgun hidden in the secured room. The shotgun was loaded with 12 gauge slugs. Officers found a digital camera with the serial number removed. The camera's memory card contained a photo of Stolberg holding the shotgun.
The garage was also filled with tools and contained motorcycle parts and several motorcycles, some in various stages of disassembly.
EPD Sgt. Steve Watson said Stolberg had been working on a motorcycle, not owned by Stolberg, that had a Hells Angels emblem on it, but there was no other indication that Stolberg had any relation to the motorcycle gang.
”I can't say for sure that he has any connection to them, but I can't say that he isn't,” he said.
The property owner, who lives out of area, was contacted and an inspection date is being set due to various electrical and fire hazards discovered in the shop. An eviction notice is expected to follow, the release said.
Donna Tam can be reached at 441-0532 or dtam@times-standard.com.
