Calaveras County Sheriff's Office

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: March 24th, 2021 Release Time: 11:50 AM ... Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Announcement- Mail Theft Alert It’s that time of year when thieves focus on mail thefts. Recently the Sheriff’s Office received reports of mail thefts near the 7000 block of Baldwin and on Milton Road (Jenny Lind). Tax season/returns & stimulus checks are just some of the added attractions to mail thieves. Mail theft often leads to other crimes such as identity theft. Your mailbox is the most non-technological point for identity theft. While most people think of mail theft as the taking of envelopes from mailboxes and forget about packages that are delivered to your home or business. Never send cash or gift cards, as they are next to impossible to reclaim and are particularly sought-after items. If possible make arrangements for a neighbor to receive or retrieve packages if you are not home during the day. Even if you have a locking mailbox, never leave mail overnight. Make a daily routine out of collecting your mail even if you aren’t necessarily expecting something. (Keep in mind: even a simple utility bill is valuable to an identity thief.). Secure your mailbox. A secure mailbox or mail slot (one that locks and is made of metal), well-lit surroundings, and a visible home surveillance system can create a triple threat against any unexpected guests who may be after your mail. Residents of Calaveras County are encouraged to report all mail thefts. The Sheriff’s Office utilizes strategic policing based on crime statistics. This allows patrol deputies to better focus their limited patrol time on areas experiencing an uptick in criminal behavior. As always report any suspicious vehicles to the Sheriff’s office as soon as possible. Please contact Sgt. Greg Stark if you have any questions 209-754-6500.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: March 23, 2021 Release Time: 11:50AM ... Deputy Receives Life Saving Award This morning at the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors regular meeting, Calaveras County Sheriff Rick DiBasilio and Tuolumne County Sheriff Bill Pooley presented Calaveras Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Markovitz with a life-saving award for his efforts on February 8th, 2021 to save a man from jumping off the Parrots Ferry Bridge. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is proud of the exceptional service performed by Deputy Markovitz and Tuolumne Sheriff’s Corporal Long, who was already recognized by the Tuolumne Board of Supervisors last week. Their actions demonstrated their dedication to law enforcement and willingness to risk their lives to help another.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: March 9, 2021 Release Time: 11:55 AM ...Continue reading

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 30th, 2020 Release Time: 10:00 PM ... Kaylee Located (3) Arrested Missing Juvenile Investigation (West Point, CA) On October 30th at about 7:00PM Detectives located Missing Person Kaylee at a residence in West Point. After a lengthy investigation by detectives three people were arrested in connection with the case. Detectives will spend the next few days completing the investigation, more information to follow on Monday. This is initial information is being released to cancel any search efforts planned for the weekend. No further information at this time.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 27th, 2020 Release Time: 8:25 PM ... Update on Missing Juvenile (West Point, CA) Update- Kaylee is still missing. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division has continued to investigate all leads. As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives have contacted the male adult who was mentioned in an allied agency press release. At this time the male is not currently being sought in connection to this case. Please discontinue "Sharing" any previously released law enforcement flyers regarding the male. Kaylee was reported missing on Oct. 22nd, 2020 and was last seen in West Point, CA at a friend’s house. Kaylee left prior to being picked up by her grandmother. At the time of the initial report, Kaylee was listed as a voluntary or at-will missing person and considered a possible runaway juvenile. Kaylee Arney is described as a 14 year old female with blond hair, blue eyes, 4 ft. 11in. tall and weighing 123 pounds with a petite physique. If anyone has any information regarding this case or knows the whereabouts of Kaylee Arney they are asked to please call the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 754-6500 or the Tip Line at (209) 754-6870.

ABC Suspends the License of the Dollar Plus Store in Valley Springs https://www.abc.ca.gov/abc-suspends-the-license-of-the-dol/

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 26, 2020 Release Time: 2:30 PM ... Sheriff’s Office Participates in Trunk or Treat Event, Jenny Lind, CA On October 24th, The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office participated in a Trunk or Treat at Jenny Lind Elementary School. Trunk-or-Treat is a Halloween tradition in which parked cars are decorated in the spirit of Halloween and filled with candy. Participants bring their cars to a central location where event goers view them. In some rural areas it is a safe and efficient alternative to traditional trick or treating. Deputies from Marine Safety, SWAT and K-9 were on scene. Deputies handed out candy and shared safety tips with the participants. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Jenny Lind Parent Teacher Organization for the invitation to assist with the event. Please review some safety tips associated with Halloween. Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened. Agree on a specific time children should return home Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don't run, across the street While driving- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 26, 2020 Release Time: 2:00 PM ... Special Enforcement Team Activity, Vehicle Pursuit (West Point) On 10/22/20, at about 9:00 PM, The Calaveras County Special Enforcement Team was patrolling near the intersection of Hwy 26 and Snead Road, West Point. Deputies observed a motorcycle with no license plate or proper lighting equipment (dirt bike) driven on the roadway. They attempted to initiate a traffic stop; however, the driver of the motorcycle ignored the emergency lighting and siren and attempted to evade capture by accelerating to a high rate of speed. A pursuit ensued for approximately 2.7 miles. The driver stopped the motorcycle just north of the Amador/ Calaveras County line and attempted to flee on foot. Deputies ran after the suspect and apprehended him approximately 40 yards away. The subject was identified as Matthew Keith Wade (31 years old out of Pioneer, CA). Matthew was booked into the Calaveras County Jail and charged with 2800.1 CVC evading peace officer (misdemeanor), 14601.2(b) CVC driving with a suspended license (misdemeanor), 148(a)(1) CVC resisting arrest (misdemeanor), 12500(b) CVC, 4000(a)(1) CVC, 21460 CVC, and 5200(a) CVC. SET is a unit within the Sheriff’s Office formed to heighten police presence, conduct extra enforcement, and utilize problem-oriented/community-oriented policing strategies. General patrol deputies are sometimes unable to complete extra patrols or proactive enforcement due to consistent call volume during their shift. Having a team specifically able to follow up in high crime areas or in areas with trending crime patterns is very beneficial to the safety of Calaveras County. The Calaveras Sheriff’s Office works as a large team with members assigned to different functions. In cooperation with information, tips, comprehensive data collection, and general communication from the community, these teams lead to a safer Calaveras for all. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding criminal activity to call the anonymous tip line at 209-754-6030. There is no further information at this time.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 22, 2020 Release Time: 1:50PM ... Search and Rescue Training On October 17th, 2020, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team (SAR) conducted an afternoon and evening training near the Stanislaus River. The training topics included Incident Command and Search Management, low angle rescue, and treatment of hypothermic victims. The training concluded with a nighttime mock search which required the extrication of the victim by way of a stokes litter (a wire basket conforming in shape to the human body into which an injured, sick, or disabled person can be safely strapped and transported by foot or other methods of travel). The Calaveras Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the volunteers who participated and commend them for demonstrating their excellent skills during this training. The citizens of Calaveras are in good hands with this group! The Calaveras County Volunteer Search and Rescue Team continually accepts applications to the team. Persons of all skill levels should contact Sgt. Stark 209-754-6500 or visit calaverassar.org for more information. All training is provided. A background check is required.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 22, 2020 Release Time: 1:15PM ... Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Team Recap October 16, 2020 On October 15th, 2020, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for illegal marijuana cultivation in the 4000 block of Esmeralda Road in Murphys. This was the 4th time this site has been eradicated since 2017. Deputies seized 555 growing marijuana plants and 22 pounds of processed marijuana. The estimated value of the seized marijuana exceeds $403,000. No suspects were contacted at the scene. Evidence was collected at the scene and the investigation is ongoing. On October 16th, 2020, a search warrant was served in the 4700 block of Old Gulch Road in San Andreas. Deputies seized 236 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $165,000. Additionally, Deputies seized 2 firearms. Two male adults were located and arrested in tents on the site upon the arrival of law enforcement. During the subsequent search of the tents, a handgun with a high capacity magazine and an AR-15 style rifle was located and seized. Both firearms were loaded at the time and additional ammunition was seized. One of the male arrestees gave a false name to deputies upon arrest; however, his identity was later discovered through fingerprinting conducted during the booking process. The male was identified as a convicted felon from Oakland, CA. Pham Vo, age 49 of Oakland, was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime, 29800 (a) PC Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 30305 (a) PC Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition, and 148.9 PC Providing False Identification to a Peace Officer. Duong Luong, age 38 of San Andreas, was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime. The investigation is ongoing. Additionally, on October 16th, 2020, an unrelated search warrant was served in the 4400 block of Oak Grove Road in San Andreas. Deputies seized 72 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $50,000. Additionally, Deputies seized one handgun. One suspect was contacted at the site and issued a citation. Paul Russ Arthurs, age 61 of San Andreas, was Cited for 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation and 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale. Evidence was collected at the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The Calaveras Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with knowledge of illegal marijuana operations to call the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Marijuana Tip Line at (209) 754-6870.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 20, 2020 Release Time: 1:30 PM ... Two Arrests Involving Methamphetamine Over the Weekend The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office made two arrests over the weekend that involved possession of methamphetamine. On October 17th, 2020, at about 12:20 AM, a new deputy that recently graduated the training program attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop on Hwy 4 near Six Mile Rd., just east of Angels Camp. The deputy observed a vehicle driving recklessly and passing other vehicles over a double solid line. The deputy activated the patrol vehicle’s emergency lighting (red and blue lights); however, the driver of the vehicle failed to yield to the deputy. The suspect driver attempted to evade by turning onto Six Mile Rd. and accelerating to a high rate of speed. The deputy pursued the vehicle into Murphy’s, then west down Murphy’s Grade Rd. While pursuing the vehicle, other units from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol were maneuvering into a position to intersect the suspect. CHP deployed a spike strip at Murphy’s Grade Rd and Hwy 49, Angels Camp. The suspect vehicle ran over the spike strips causing severe damage to his tires; however, he continued to flee North on Hwy 49. The suspect driver, later identified as (SA) Anthony Lee Wilson Ohare (28 years, old Sonora), eventually stopped on Hwy 49 near the Mark Twain Center in Angels Camp. Once the vehicle had stopped, Ohare ran from the vehicle on foot. Deputies chased Ohare to the 300 block of North Main St, where he was subsequently taken into custody. Ohare was arrested and transported to the Calaveras County Jail. Ohare was charged with felony evading arrest, resisting arrest, and possession of methamphetamine. Ohare was also booked on two warrants from Tuolumne County (evading arrest and vehicle theft) and a warrant from Nye County, Nevada. He is being held with a total bail of $155,000. On October 18, 2020, at about 12:25 AM, deputies responded to a report of a physical fight near the 300 block of West St. Charles St., San Andreas. Upon arrival, deputies contacted suspect Travis William Key (41 years old San Andreas). During the investigation, Key was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Suspect Travis William Key was issued a citation for possession of methamphetamine (misdemeanor) and released at the scene. Since January 2020, The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office has investigated 32 cases where suspects were issued citations or arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 15, 2020 Release Time: 8:50 AM ... Trespassing Leads to Arrest for Felony Weapons Charges On the evening of October 8th at about 8:45, The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a person trespassing near the 10600 block of Whiskey Slide Rd, Mountain Ranch. The property owner told dispatchers he was on his way to a rural portion of Mountain Ranch with two of his friends for a hunting trip when a security camera alerted him that a suspect was in the process of taking items from the unimproved property. Dispatchers advised the property owner that deputies were responding to investigate and to wait for their arrival. The property owner advised dispatch he was already driving to the property and subsequently arrived prior to the deputies. When the caller and friends arrived, they noticed a fence had been cut with fresh tire marks on the property. As he was examining the damage to the fence, the suspect drove to their location in an attempt to flee. The property owner confronted the suspect regarding him trespassing and taking items. The property owner stayed with the suspect until deputies arrived. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the suspect Jose Maria Vallijo (41 years old out of Sacramento) in possession of a 9mm handgun, .22 caliber rifle, illegally modified shotgun (sawed-off shotgun with the barrel and stock shortened), and multiple rounds of ammunition. Vallijo also had stolen items from the property. A records check revealed suspect Vallijo was on felony post-release community supervision from Sacramento County. When asked, suspect Vallijo had no explanation for why he was in the area and refused to answer additional questions. Suspect Jose Maria Vallijo was placed under arrest, transported to the Calaveras County Jail, and booked. He was charged with Penal Code 29800 (a) prohibited person in possession of a firearm (felony), Penal Code 30305(a) prohibited person in possession of ammunition (felony), Penal Code 33215PC possession of short barrel/modified shotgun (felony), Penal Code 1203.2 (a) violation of probation (felony), Penal Code 25400 (a) concealed weapon in a vehicle (misdemeanor) and Penal Code 490.2 petty theft. Suspect Vallijo is being held with a $95,000 bail. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office regularly coordinates with the public to build strong relationships through positive interactions and sharing of information with the specific purpose of creating partnerships with citizens. While the information obtained by the property owner was vital for the apprehension of the suspect, we would like to caution persons from placing themselves in dangerous situations. The men and women of the Sheriff’s Office are well trained and well equipped to act on your behalf to keep you safe.

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 14, 2020 Release Time: 1:15PM ...Continue reading

Do you remember when Calaveras Sheriff's Deputy Emmi rescued the Eagle at Hogan Lake a few months ago? Well today "Joey" was able to be released back into the wild! The Eagle, previously thought to be a Golden Eagle was determined to be a juvenile female Bald Eagle. Joey was anxious to get back into the wild and wasted no time! Special thanks to Tri County Wildlife Care and Hogan Rangers. Videos in comments.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month! The Calaveras Sheriff's Explorers will be making a donation to the Calaveras Crisis Center at the end of the month. This donation comes from the money earned with this awareness patch. Remaining funds will be put back into the community through some of the amazing events and programs that the Explorers have. Our Explorers are doing great things in the community! Currently there are only 15 of these patches left at $20.00 each and will be on sale until they run out or the end of the month. Are you 14 to 20 and want to be an Explorer? Give us a call!

MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark Release Date: October 8, 2020 Release Time: 11:30 AM ... Calaveras County Sheriff Volunteer Unit Seeks New Members The Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteer Unit seeks individuals who are willing to give back to their community as a volunteer. The Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteer Unit is a group of individuals who support the Sheriff's Office by working the county substations, conducting house checks, working special events, tackling many routine tasks, while freeing up paid deputies by saving county resources for other essential needs. You will often see the volunteers at parades, the county fair, and other events. In addition to traffic control and crowd safety, the volunteers also take some of the paperwork burdens off the Sheriff's Office, offering a cost-effective yet secure means of sharing the workload. Volunteers must pass a background check and be able to volunteer at least 12 hours per month. To join the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office Volunteer unit, call Sgt. Greg Stark at 209-754-6500.