A teen wanted in a Humboldt County triple homicide was arrested Thursday in Utah by officers who deployed a spike strip on Interstate 80.

Investigators outside the crime scene, on Bear River tribal land in Loleta, Calif., Feb. 10, 2021. (Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office) 

Mauricio Johnson, 18, of Loleta, had been sought since the discovery Wednesday morning of the killings in a home on Bear River tribal land 10 miles south of Eureka. The victims were identified as Nikki Dion Metcalf, 40; Margarett Lee Moon, 40; and Shelly Autumn Mae Moon, 16.

The attack was reported in a 911 call by one of two juveniles who were found uninjured in the home, the Humboldt County sheriff’s office said.

On Thursday, sheriff’s investigators learned that two vehicles associated with Johnson might be in Utah, and they contacted the Utah Highway Patrol and the Tooele County sheriff’s office.

Around 2 p.m. Thursday, Utah officers saw the two vehicles on eastbound I-80 near Delle, on the east edge of the salt flats and about 825 miles from the crime scene.

One of the drivers pulled over but the other would not stop. A short pursuit ended when a spike strip disabled the fleeing vehicle.

Taken into custody were three people: Johnson; a 46-year-old man wanted on a parole warrant; and a woman who is being detained while likely charges are determined.

Johnson will be held on a no-bail warrant for charges of murder, the Humboldt County sheriff’s office said.