Joseph Larue, a Grants Pass resident facing felony animal abuse charges in Oregon, remains at large after a series of recent sightings and encounters with law enforcement in Humboldt County, California. The fugitive has been on the run since October, and his escape efforts have led to multiple incidents, raising both local and law enforcement concerns as they work to secure his apprehension.
The search for Joseph Larue, a Grants Pass resident wanted on felony animal abuse charges in Oregon, has grown increasingly intense following a series of recent sightings and near-captures in Humboldt County, California. Most recently spotted in Eureka, Larue has repeatedly evaded law enforcement, leaving authorities and local residents on high alert.
Larue initially fled Oregon to avoid prosecution related to felony animal abuse allegations but has since been implicated in additional incidents. On October 15, he reportedly became involved in a domestic violence situation in Humboldt County that escalated, ending with Larue allegedly being injured by a gunshot wound. Law enforcement arrived at the scene, but Larue managed to escape before they could detain him. Initially, it was unclear whether he had survived his injuries, but later sightings confirmed he remains alive and actively avoiding capture.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, tasked with coordinating search efforts, responded on October 26 to a tip-off that Larue’s vehicle was spotted in the parking lot of a Safeway store on Harris Street in Eureka. Deputies quickly arrived at the location, but Larue had already fled on foot, successfully evading the deputies. According to the Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Meg Ruiz, Larue’s continued evasion has prompted increased vigilance and outreach to the public for assistance in tracking him down.
Despite the ongoing manhunt, authorities have been unable to detain Larue, who has proven adept at eluding capture. The Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies are collaborating on the investigation, emphasizing that while Larue is not known to pose an immediate threat to the general public, residents should avoid approaching him if encountered and instead alert local authorities immediately.
As the search for Larue continues, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to report any information related to Larue’s whereabouts, as they work to bring the fugitive to justice and address the outstanding charges against him.
Anyone with information on Larue’s location is encouraged to contact Humboldt County authorities directly, ensuring the safety of the community and assisting law enforcement in what has become a challenging case across state lines.
