Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched Thursday morning, November 30th, to an address in McKinleyville regarding reports of a male subject brandishing a knife.
First arriving deputies located a male subject identified as 43 year old Jason Balke, removing a large fixed-blade knife from his jacket while walking in the middle of Sutter Road.
As deputies approached Balke, he brandished the knife towards deputies in a threatening manner, refusing to follow deputies commands to drop the knife before fleeing from deputies on foot.
Deputies pursued Balke who continued running while armed with the knife while deputies attempted to keep him from busy public areas, he ran towards Safeway on Central Avenue.
Deputies requested Safeway be locked down for the safety of the public, then deployed a less lethal shotgun to induce Balke to drop the knife before firing bean bag rounds at Balke striking him.
Balke still refused to drop the knife and continued running towards Safeway. Deputies then utilized a Taser device which effectively subdued Balke allowing Balke to be detained in handcuffs without further incident.
Balke sustained minor injuries, and he was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Balke was then booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for felony resisting arrest, brandishing, criminal threats, and probation violation.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.
