Eureka Police Department

May 3rd, 2008

Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure after Incident at Shell Gas Station

On May 3rd, 2008 at around 3:41 PM, Eureka Police Officers were dispatched to 1310 5th St. (Shell Gas Station) for a reported indecent exposure that just occurred outside the business.  An employee reported that a male subject had pulled down his pants and exposed his genitals to employees, customers, and passing motorists. 

While responding to the scene driving eastbound on 5th Street at J Street, Sergeant Steve Watson saw a subject who closely resembled the suspect's description on the sidewalk near the intersection.  The subject, subsequently identified as Ryan James Engebretson (age 30), was acting erratically and energetically crouching/leaping on his hands and knees. 

Sgt. Watson, assisted by Officers Ed Wilson and Stan Harkness, detained Engebretson, who appeared to also be under the influence of a controlled substance.  Engebretson admitted to recent methamphetamine use but he denied exposing himself outside the gas station. 

A witness was driven to the suspect's location, who positively identified Engebretson as the suspect.  Engebretson, who became increasingly agitated and uncooperative toward officers, was placed under arrest for indecent exposure/lewd conduct and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility without further incident.