Early Tuesday afternoon, June 18th, a Fortuna Police Officer located a stolen vehicle at a Meadowlark Court address in Fortuna, just before 1:15pm.
It was determined by authorities as the investigation ensued, that the scene was a chop shop being used to store multiple stolen vehicles at the location, with stolen vehicles parked in front of the residence and inside the garage and three stolen vehicles were recovered.
The suspect, identified as 50 year old Daniel Ray Fidler of Fortuna, fled the residence into the Jameson Creek area and densely wooded area directly behind the residence before a K9 could be deployed, however, Fidler had escaped the area prior to the deployment.
Mutual aid was requested and Fortuna Police coordinated officers efforts in an attempt to establish a perimeter around the creek and wooded area. Information was obtained that Fidler was potentially in possession of a handgun and was making comments regarding “suicide by cop”.
Fortuna Police Officers, a Fortuna K9, the Fortuna Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and allied agency officers searched the area for Fidler with negative results. It is believed that Fidler arranged for an associate to pick him up and then fled the area.
As a result of the investigation, Daniel Ray Finder is wanted in connection to multiple crimes including Operating a Chop Shop, 3 counts of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Firearm by Prohibited Person, Possession of a Short Barrel Shotgun, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Violation of Probation, Obstructing, Resisting, Delaying a Peace Officer, and Possession of Burglary Tools.
It should be noted that Filder is on active felony probation and has an active felony arrest warrant for Kidnapping.
While officers were processing the scene, Rio Dell Police became involved in a high speed pursuit involving a vehicle known by police to be associated with this incident. A stolen silver Jeep led Rio Dell Police on a high speed pursuit that ended in the rural area of Ferndale. The vehicle was found unoccupied but it is believed that the two incidents are connected.
This is an active and ongoing investigation, Fidler is believed to be armed and dangerous. Fidler is a career criminal with known access to firearms.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Fortuna Police Department at (707)725-7550.
