Eureka, California – In a dramatic turn of events, a woman reported missing from Tennessee, who was last seen at a Walmart in Redding over Memorial Day Weekend, has been located safe and sound in Eureka, according to authorities from the Redding Police Department (RPD).
The missing woman, identified as 33-year-old Nikki Alcaraz, had been reported missing by her family while traveling with her boyfriend, Steven Tyler Stratton, in a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. Concerns escalated when a flier released by the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the possibility of Alcaraz being in danger due to a history of domestic assault.
The Eureka Police Department (EPD) revealed that on May 9, 2023, a domestic violence incident involving Alcaraz and Stratton had taken place in New Mexico. Following the incident, the couple left New Mexico, prompting the filing of a missing persons report for Alcaraz.
Significantly, on Saturday, May 27, 2023, the pair was spotted at the Walmart on Dana Drive in Redding, where they were captured on surveillance cameras utilizing an EcoATM kiosk. Authorities had been closely monitoring the situation and intensifying efforts to locate the missing woman.
In a surprising development, the EPD received a call on Tuesday, alerting them that Alcaraz and Stratton had been seen in their Jeep on Broadway in Eureka around 2:25 p.m. Promptly responding to the tip, officers located the vehicle parked at Pacific Plaza.
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According to police, both Alcaraz and Stratton cooperated fully during the encounter. Alcaraz assured officers that she was safe and did not require assistance. Meanwhile, it was discovered that Stratton had an outstanding arrest warrant from Tennessee for a violation of probation, unrelated to the events in New Mexico.
Taking immediate action, the EPD arrested Stratton based on the warrant, and he was subsequently booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Authorities provided Alcaraz with local resources and information before releasing her.
The safe discovery of Nikki Alcaraz brings a sense of relief to her family and loved ones who had feared for her well-being. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance and subsequent discovery serve as a reminder of the importance of community awareness and collaboration in swiftly resolving missing persons cases.
As the investigation continues, the authorities will work diligently to uncover further details about the events leading up to Alcaraz’s disappearance and her subsequent journey to Eureka.
