CRIME & SAFETY

This week in Tuolumne County, California, there were three notable incidents. A man in Jamestown was seriously injured in a vicious dog attack, with the dog remaining on the loose after being shot twice. Two women in Sonora were arrested after a CHP officer stopped to help them with a disabled utility trailer and discovered an expired registration. Additionally, a group of amateur sleuths claims to have solved the infamous Zodiac Killer case, which had remained unsolved for over five decades.

Jamestown, CA – A Jamestown man who was attacked by a dog early this morning was seriously injured, and the dog remains on the loose after being shot twice. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched at around 4:44 a.m. to Golden Dove Lane in Jamestown to investigate a dog attack. The type of canine was not disclosed. While animal control was also notified, officers could not make it to the scene for an “extended time,” so deputies headed there, according to sheriff’s officials.

Sonora, CA – A CHP officer, seeing two women pulled over on the side of the road working to repair a tire, stopped to help them and subsequently arrested them. The incident happened recently on Hospital Road, just west of Mono Way in Sonora. The vehicle was a 1991 Chevrolet pickup hauling a utility trailer, which had a problem with one of the wheels and tire assembly, according to CHP spokesperson officer Steve Machado. He added, “The officer noticed that the Chevrolet pickup had an expired registration tab and conducted a registration check on both the truck and the trailer. The officer was informed that the trailer returned as a stolen vehicle.”

East Sonora, CA — First responders are on the scene of a two-vehicle collision on Mono Way near Peaceful Valley Road in East Sonora that is backing up traffic. The crash happened around 2:45 p.m. in front of the Tractor Supply Store. The CHP reports that a Kia Sedona and Toyota Venza collided, and the wreckage is blocking the roadway. Five people, including two children, are injured, and ambulances have been called to the scene. However, the CHP reports that the injuries are minor.

This week in Tuolumne County, California, several incidents occurred that required law enforcement intervention. A Jamestown resident, Joshua Caudill, was sentenced to over 6 years in state prison for possession and sale of fentanyl. In Soulsbyville, a man was arrested after firing gunshots near the area, leading to a brief standoff with deputies. Additionally, a Sonora couple's report of trespassers resulted in their own arrest for being under the influence and armed with a firearm.

Tuolumne County, CA – The name of the 35-year-old man who jumped into Melones Lake off the Camp 9 Bridge and drowned in July has been released. The deceased is Matthew Giannini of Modesto. He made that jump around 8 p.m. on July 1st, and a 911 call reported a man who was seen jumping into the lake from the bridge but had not resurfaced, as earlier reported here. The incident was initially handled by the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office until it was determined the jump had taken place on the Tuolumne County side of the bridge, giving it jurisdiction.

According to SpotCrime, below are the crime dailies for Tuolumne County,California on 09/15/2023. Local residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to authorities.

According to SpotCrime, below are the crime dailies for Sonora,California on 09/15/2023. Local residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to authorities.

Soulsbyville, CA — A man was placed into handcuffs after a brief standoff with Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office deputies at a home on Allison Way near Highway 108. At around 7:40 pm on Thursday, numerous neighbors called in to report hearing gunshots and a man yelling in the residential area. Officials responded to a home and found 70-year-old Thomas Madden, yelling in the driveway.

This week in Sonora, California, there were three notable incidents. A man was arrested for grand theft after stealing over $3,000 worth of parts from an automotive store. A couple who reported trespassers on their property ended up being arrested themselves for being under the influence and armed with a firearm. Lastly, a Sonora resident had a close call when his car was hit by a train on Campo Seco Road.

Sonora, CA — CAL Fire has issued an urgent warning regarding the incursion of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones into the firefighting airspace. “These incursions have raised serious concerns as they have led to the temporary suspension of critical aerial firefighting operations on a half-dozen incidents so far this year,” stated CAL Fire.

Sonora, CA – A Sonora couple’s report of trespassers ended up with their arrest for being under the influence and armed with a firearm. Tuolumne Sheriff’s Deputies recently responded to the area of Midland Drive near Phoenix Lake Road for a report of trespassers. When deputies arrived, 62-year-old Lary Parker told arriving deputies that the suspects had fled the scene moments earlier. Deputies conducted a sweep of the property but did not locate anyone.

According to SpotCrime, below are the crime dailies for Sonora,California on 09/14/2023. Local residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to authorities.

Jamestown, CA — A man who was caught with fentanyl for sale twice has been sentenced to over six years in state prison. Joshua Caudill was first pulled over by a Sonora Police Department Sergeant on May 12 and was in possession of 73 grams of fentanyl that he planned to sell. He also had a loaded firearm, which he was prohibited from possessing, being a felon. Caudill was released after posting bail.

Jamestown, CA — A Sonora resident had a close call this morning when his car was hit by a train on the railroad tracks on Campo Seco Road. The CHP reports that 21-year-old Ryan Powell was driving a 2000 Toyota Corolla eastbound on Campo Seco Road, at about 15-20 mph. As he approached the railroad tracks, he saw a freight train, traveling about 10 mph, and heard the locomotive’s horn. Powell slammed on the brakes and came to a stop right on the tracks. He put the car in reverse and tried to get out of the train’s path.

Soulsbyville, CA – One of two men wanted in connection with a local business theft has been captured. Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an unidentified automotive store at the beginning of August reporting a theft of over $3,000 worth of parts. The caller was able to provide surveillance footage of the theft. It showed two men loading a truck with stolen items.