Nez | DNSO

Yurok Tribal Police arrested a 30-year-old man Friday who had allegedly been setting fires to the brush as well as an occupied tent at the end of Klamath Beach Road on Thursday.

Nikwich Nez faces charges of arson, vandalizing a church because of race, attempted murder and obstructing or resisting a public officer, according to the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office. Yurok Police officers arrested Nez with help from the DNSO and Crescent City Police Department’s K9 Lt. Kai at about 8:30 p.m. Friday.


Nez had allegedly evaded police on Thursday after a Yurok Tribal Police officer observed multiple fires burning on the beach near the dance site and found the suspect walking toward Dad’s Camp from the sand bar. The officer ordered Nez to stop several times. Nez took off running, and after a foot chase, officers lost sight of him.

Neither the dance house nor the dress houses were damaged, according to YTPD.

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