Drag marks and blood trail lead to arrest of McArthur resident, officials say
MC ARTHUR – A commercial burglary at Inter Mountain Fairgrounds in McArthur led to the arrest of a local resident on Thursday, Feb. 25. The arrest happened after observant deputies located and followed drag marks and a blood trail from the location of the burglary to a nearby mobile home, according to Shasta Sheriff Sergeant Quentin Johnston.
The investigation began at about 10:30 a.m., when staff members from George Ingram Hall located at the fairgrounds discovered a burglary had occurred overnight at the building. Deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department responded to the reported incident and conducted an investigation.
Staff reported to deputies that an unknown suspect had gained access into the building and stolen a commercial-grade exercise bike, valued at approximately $1,000. The suspect also attempted unsuccessfully to steal an overhead projector. Staff members confirmed the building had been locked and secured the previous evening. Fresh blood drops found at the hall indicated the suspect had possibly been injured during the burglary.
Overhead view showing the Inter Mountain Fair where the burglary occurred and the McArthur Mobile Home Park, where the suspect, Matthew Davis was located.
During their investigation, “Deputies located drag marks and blood droplets leaving the fairgrounds. Deputies followed the drag marks for several hundred yards into the McArthur Mobile Home Park,” Johnston explained. “Deputies found the marks to end at space 24, and observed fresh gouge marks going up the stairs into the front door of the mobile home.”
Deputies knocked on the door for several minutes, attempting to make contact with the sole-resident of the mobile home, who they identified as Matthew Wyatt Davis, 28, of McArthur.
Deputies conducted a records search and discovered Davis had a prior conviction for possessing stolen property. After several more unsuccessful attempts to make contact with Davis, deputies filed for a search warrant for the residence.
After deputies obtained a Shasta County Superior Court search warrant, they served the search warrant; forcing entry into the residence. Deputies located Davis hiding inside the mobile home and he was detained without further incident.
“During a search of the residence, the stolen exercise bike was located,” according to Johnston. “Davis was also found to have a fresh injury that required several sutures to one of his hands.”
The owner of the exercise bike confirmed Davis was seen loitering around Ingram Hall the night prior to the burglary and theft.
Based on their observations, evidence collected at both locations and the discovery of the stolen property found in his possession, deputies arrested Davis for his alleged involvement in the burglary. Deputies transported him to the Shasta County Jail, where he was booked for commercial burglary and possession of stolen property.
Anyone with information about this incident and arrest is encouraged to contact Sergeant Quentin Johnston at the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department at (530) 245-6540. Callers can refer to incident file number 16-7058 and can remain anonymous.
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