Man Arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Posted: 2/8/2012
Jeffery Lee Threadgill Placer County Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Auburn-area transient Tuesday night after he stabbed a man at the Foothills Motel in Auburn.
Just after the stabbing was reported, suspect Jeffrey Lee Threadgill, 45, was walking along Luther Road, a short distance from the motel, when he was spotted by a sergeant en route to the motel on Bowman Road. The sergeant had pulled up a photo of the suspect on his in-car computer and recognized the man as the suspect. He was able to take Threadgill into custody without incident.
The stabbing was reported to the Sheriff’s 9-1-1 dispatch center at 5:10 p.m. The 32-year-old victim encountered Threadgill at the motel, where the victim is staying, and an argument ensued. Threadgill pulled out a red-handled knife and slashed the victim’s left arm, causing a large, deep gash. The victim ran to the motel office and asked the clerk to call 9-1-1. Threadgill fled the scene. The victim was transported to Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital for treatment.
Threadgill was booked at the Placer County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, making threats and for a parole violation. He is being held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 7 in the jail courtroom.
Promotions in Placer County Sheriff Department
Posted: 12/8/2011
Placer County – Sheriff Ed Bonner is proud to announce four promotions.
Promoted to the rank of lieutenant were Sgt. John Poretti and Sgt. Andrew Scott. Lt. Scott has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 21 years and he most recently served as the Colfax station commander. He has assumed the role of patrol administrative lieutenant and is assigned to headquarters in Auburn.
Lt. Poretti was hired by the Sheriff’s Office in 1992 and most recently served as the detective sergeant in charge of Special Operations. He is now serving as a lieutenant in the Auburn Jail.
Deputies Paul Long and Nelson Resendes were both promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Long has 10 years of experience and most recently worked in the investigations unit, specializing in high-tech criminal investigations. He will soon transfer to the North Lake Tahoe substation.
Sgt. Resendes has 11 years of experience and is currently a Special Enforcement Team member and is also a field training officer. He is now assigned to Auburn patrol operations.
Sacramento Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for 2009 Killing of Loomis Resident
Posted: 11/6/2011
A 24 year old Sacramento man was sentenced last week to 21 years in prison for his part in the September 2009 killing of Loomis resident Rudy Ramos. Placer County Judge Colleen Nichols sentenced Kenneth Massey Jr. after the defen-dant, pursuant to a plea agreement, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter as well as three counts of influencing the testimony of a witness.
The body of Rudy Ramos was discovered in his Loomis residence on Septem-ber 14, 2009, bludgeoned to death. Through cell phone records, the defendant, and co-defendant Anthony Cordero, were placed at the victim’s home on Sep-tember 12, 2009, at the approximate time of death.
Deputy District Attorney Jeff Wood commented that despite the nearly 11,000 pages of information gathered, and a year and a half of investigation, the case remained largely circumstantial and hinged on the testimony of Massey’s co-defendant Anthony Cordero. Wood further stated that while we were able to establish Massey had a motive to commit the crime and that both defendants were at scene near the time of the murder, it was more problematic to determine the sequence of events immediately before the murder. The plea agreement reached reflects the above difficulty while at the same time achieves a lengthy prison sentence for Massey and justice for Mr. Ramos and his family.
The co-defendant, Anthony Cordero, pled guilty to Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury and Accessory to the killing of Ramos and was scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2011.
Three Men Caught Stealing Copper Wiring
Posted: 11/5/2011
Dennis Michael O'Brien Three local men were caught red-handed by Placer County Sheriff’s deputies Thursday morning as they stripped copper wiring in a field in West Roseville. It’s not known where the trio obtained the copper wiring.
PG&E workers called Placer County Sheriff’s dispatch at 9:43 a.m. to report that three men were loading copper wire into the trunk of their car in a field off of Dyer Lane in West Roseville. The men didn’t see the first deputy drive into the field until the deputy got about 200 yards away.
The suspects, Shane Michael Quinlan, 20, of Auburn, Dennis Michael O’Brien, 48, of Colfax, and Joseph Michael Taylor, 27, also of Colfax, initially told deputies they were just looking for a place to hang out. But, a large amount of evidence was gathered around the car, which included knives, numerous bundles and rolls of stripped copper wire and gloves. Inside the car, deputies found pliers with wire-cutting blades and a small amount of marijuana. The total weight of the stripped copper was 72 pounds; 48 pounds of wire that had not yet been stripped was also found. Wire theft has become a major problem as thieves sell stripped copper wire to recyclers for cash.
All three suspects were booked at the Placer County Jail on charges of conspiracy and possessing stolen property. Quinlan was additionally charged with committing a felony while on bail.
CalVet, Community Colleges Chancellor’s
Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Posted: 11/5/2011
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) will sign an agreement that will make community college enrollment much simpler for military personnel, veterans and their families residing in California.
CalVet and CCCCO are responding to Governor Brown’s call for greater collaboration in government through his recent Executive Order creating the Inter-Agency Council on Veterans.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Noon – 12:30 p.m.
California State Capitol, Room 1190
Sacramento, CA 95814
Peter J. Gravett, CalVet Secretary; Dr. Jack Scott, California Community Colleges Chancellor; Karen Baker, Secretary of Service and Volunteering for the State of California.
The Memorandum of Understanding will allow service members, veterans and their family members to self-certify their interest in applying to a California community College by completing the “State of California Veterans Reintegration Project” form. With CCCCO’s assistance, CalVet will then use the zip code of interested parties to send them information about community colleges in their region, including locations, application instructions, registration deadlines, veteran contacts, college veteran web sites, and more. When technology between CalVet and CCCCO is properly linked, an individual’s completed reintegration form will be able to serve as an official California community college application.
Bad Hair Bandit Robberies
From the Office of Sheriff Edward N. Bonner
Posted: 8/23/2011
 Cynthia Van Holland 
Christopher Alonzo, 26 Placer County – The woman arrested Monday for robbing the Bank of the West in Auburn is believed to be the “Bad Hair Bandit” responsible for up to 20 other bank robberies in Washington, Oregon and Montana.
Around 2:25 p.m., Cynthia Van Holland entered the Bank of the West at 13422 Lincoln Way. She passed a note to a teller demanding money and stating that she was armed. She was given an undetermined amount of money and left the bank.
Witnesses in the busy shopping center saw the woman run from the bank and get into the getaway car that was parked behind the bank. The driver, Christopher Alonzo, 26, then drove off. A very observant witness gave deputies the vehicle description and a possible license plate number.
Minutes later, deputies who were staking out Interstate 80, spotted the vehicle near Rocklin Road. The pair was arrested without incident.
Placer County detectives identified Van Holland as a possible suspect in the “Bad Hair Bandit” robberies after examining evidence and surveillance photos. A joint investigation was started with the FBI and is continuing at this time.
Any questions regarding the bank robberies in Washington, Oregon and Montana should be directed to the FBI office in Spokane.
Pot Growers Busted in Placer County
Posted: 8/9/2011
Yulian Huang 
Joel Jauregui Placer County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two suspects Thursday after an investigation led to an illegal marijuana cultivation operation in Colfax this week. During the course of the investigation, two separate residences were searched and more than 200 marijuana plants were seized in an indoor, hydroponic-grow setup.
Monday, August 1, patrol deputies responded to a rental home on Pinecroft Road near the City of Colfax to investigate a marijuana cultivation operation. They discovered 124 marijuana plants in various stages of growth inside and outside the residence. Information obtained at the first house led them to a second house on Catskill Drive, about six miles away.
A search warrant was issued for the second residence. Patrol deputies and detectives from the Placer County Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit served the search warrant at the Catskill Drive house. An elaborate indoor marijuana grow was located in this rental house and deputies seized an additional 83 mature marijuana plants.
Information obtained at both houses led to the arrest of Joel Jauregui, 27, and Yulian Huang, 25, both of Colfax. Both were found and arrested in Colfax on August 4 for the illegal cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana with the intent to sell. They were booked into the Placer County Jail in Auburn. Bail for the pair was set at $10,000.
Cold Case Funding Leads to Arrest in 2000 Placer County Homicide
Posted: 6/29/2011
e Placer County Cold Case Unit (consisting of members from the DA’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office) in conjunction with detectives from the Roseville Police Department have made an arrest in connection with a homicide which took place in Roseville, CA in January 2000.
On January 21, 2000, workers found the body of John Semler Owens, a 46-year-old transient freight-train rider, on a gravel service road next to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, near 1701 PFE Road.
Michael Elijah Adams, age 44, was arrested in Lane County, Oregon where he was in custody for unrelated charges. The arrest comes after Adams waived extradition to California, which cleared the way for Placer County and Roseville detectives to take custody of Adams and transport him to Placer County to face charges.
On May 24, 2011 the Placer County District Attorney’s Office filed a Felony Complaint which charged Adams with the murder of John Owens on January 21, 2000 in the City of Roseville. An arrest warrant was also issued that same day.
The Placer County Cold Case Unit is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Justice, Solving Cold Cases with DNA.
Adams was arraigned in Placer County Superior Court on June 20, 2011. He entered a plea of not guilty and is being held on no bail. His next court date is July 18, 2011 at 8:30 in Department 13.
Colfax Man Arrested for Homicide
From the Office of Sheriff Edward N. Bonner
Posted: 5/18/2011
Lee Konnerth, 35, of Colfax Placer County – Placer County Sheriff Detectives arrested Lee Konnerth (35) of Colfax for homicide. Deputies responded to a residence on Catskill Drive in Colfax Sunday evening after an off-duty police officer requested assistance. The off-duty officer was in the area and heard a gun shot. He went to investigate and discovered a female victim lying on the porch. The officer detained two males at gunpoint until deputies and medical personnel arrived. The female victim was pronounced dead at the scene. All parties knew each other and the death appears to be the result of a domestic violence incident.
Detectives arrested Lee Konnerth for homicide and he was booked at the Placer County Jail. The other male was released after questioning.
The victim of the Colfax homicide has been identified as Sarah Burr (30) from Grass Valley. Sarah was the girlfriend of suspect Lee Konnerth. Cause of death is pending but preliminary cause is gun shot wound. The investigation is continuing.
Auburn Parolee Arrested
From the Office of Sheriff Edward N. Bonner
Posted: 5/18/2011
Steven Allen Shade, 43 Placer County – An Auburn parolee who was prowling behind a north Auburn apartment and looking in the windows was arrested early this morning by Placer County Sheriff’s deputies.
Steven Allen Shade, 43, didn’t go down without a fight. Shade refused to comply with orders given by the deputy who was chasing him from the area behind the Terracina Oaks Apartments. When Shade repeatedly ignored a deputy’s commands and kept reaching into his pocket, the deputy used his Taser to control the suspect.
An apartment resident had called Placer County Sheriff’s 911 dispatch center at 5:50 this morning to report that a man was outside of his rear bedroom window, peering inside. The area behind the apartments is a gated and secured area that Shade had entered through a damaged area of fencing. When deputies arrived, Shade ran up a hill behind the apartments and along the canal until deputies caught him in a field.
Shade was transported to a local hospital for removal of the Taser prongs, per policy, and then to the Placer County Jail. He was booked on charges of resisting arrest and prowling. He is being held without bail due to a violation of his parole.
Placer County Sheriff’s Council hosts Community Services Expo
From the Office of Sheriff Edward N. Bonner
Posted: 5/18/2011
Placer County – The Placer County Sheriff’s Council is hosting its second annual Community Services Expo at Del Oro High School on Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year, the free event will also include a classic car show.
Throughout the day, there will be demonstrations by the Sheriff Office’s Special Enforcement Team, mounted team, K-9 handlers and their dog partners, the bomb squad, the helicopter crew and more. The Sheriff’s honor guard will post the colors and have a changing of the guard at noon. The Loomis Fire Department will perform a “Jaws of Life” demonstration. Vendors will have booths set up on the school grounds and food will be available for purchase.
This year, a classic car show has been added and the public is invited to display their vintage cars. For more information about the car show, call (530) 906-7085. There will also be a canine livestock herding demonstration by Placer County Animal Control.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Council was created in 2004 by citizens who saw the need for more equipment and updated equipment than was being supplied by a shrinking government budget. Since then, the council has grown into a large and dedicated group of business and community leaders concerned with maintaining top-notch public safety services in Placer County.
For more information about the expo and the Sheriff’s Council, go to www.sheriffscouncil.com or call them at (916) 652-2450. Del Oro High School is located at 3301 Taylor Road, Loomis.
Men Arrested Following a Three-County Crime Spree, Kidnapping and Carjacking
From the Office of Sheriff Edward N. Bonner
Posted: 5/4/2011
John Cody Adrian, 19, of Colfax Placer County – Two young men were arrested Monday night following a three-county crime spree that began in Auburn on Saturday with a kidnapping and carjacking.
Dillon James McMahon, 22, of Roseville, and John Cody Adrian, 19, of Colfax, were taken into custody by Yuba County law enforcement officers following a high-speed pursuit near Marysville Monday night. Earlier Monday evening, the pair is suspected of beating an elderly man in Nevada County.
The spree began around noon Saturday when a 19-year-old Grass Valley woman was carjacked and kidnapped from the Chase Bank parking lot at 11:50 a.m. on Grass Valley Highway in Auburn. The male suspect approached the girl’s car as she was leaving the bank and asked her questions through her open car window. He said he had a gun and told her to drive him to the Taco Tree on Grass Valley Highway. As they approached the restaurant, the suspect told the victim to pull over in a parking lot. He pulled out a gun, pointed it at her and told her to get out of the car, which she did. The suspect got out of the car, walked around and got into the driver’s seat and drove away.
The vehicle was recovered early Sunday morning in the pond at Regional Park in north Auburn. The reporting party saw someone driving it into the pond. Members of the Placer County Sheriff’s Dive team responded and found no one inside the car.
Dillon James McMahon, 22, of Roseville Monday afternoon, at 4:15, a second carjacking occurred, this time in front of Regional Park in north Auburn. A 51-year-old woman was approached as she was leaving her car and two men presented a weapon and took her car. That car, a Honda, was the car that Yuba County officials later apprehended Monday night. Inside that car were McMahon and Adrian. The suspects were transferred to Placer County and were booked at the Placer County Jail. Both suspects are charged with carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon and theft of a vehicle. McMahon is charged with carjacking and kidnapping in relation to Saturday’s incident. Further charges from other agencies are forthcoming.
Placer County Sheriff Updates
Posted: 8/7/2010
Two cases that you have been following are getting delayed while a third case has just gotten a trial date.
Jeremy Sarguis, who pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy and hit-and-run in the death of Vickie Janell Scott on I-80 in Roseville on Feb. 4, was scheduled for sentencing today at 1 p.m. in the Jail Courtroom in Auburn.
However, the sentencing will be delayed because the probation report has just been completed and neither side has had time to review. We’ll get the date later for you.
Secondly, the arraignment date of Sac Police Sgt. John Castiglia, cited for allegedly shoplifting in Roseville on May 28, was scheduled for Tuesday, June 29. However, the DA’s Office will ask for a new arraignment date tomorrow because it is still reviewing the case. We are seeking sometime in July.
Lastly, Placer County Sheriff’s Lt. John David Savage, charged with a misdemeanor count of negligently discharging a firearm, today was assigned a trial date of Oct. 25. The time and courtroom will be assigned at a hearing on Sept. 13 at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. 31 (Roseville courts).
Placer County Sheriff Department Annual Telemarketing Fundraising
Sheriff Edward N. Bonner
Posted: 8/7/2010
The Placer County Sheriff Department’s Search and Rescue teams are beginning their annual telemarketing fundraising drive throughout the county.
This year, Search and Rescue is hoping to purchase equipment for countywide searches, as well as mobile communications equipment for the Lake Tahoe area. Search and Rescue volunteers donate thousands of hours each year to locate lost hikers, skiers and anyone else who may need assistance in Placer County’s thousands of acres of wilderness.
Telephone solicitors will be calling Placer County residents to ask for donations. Anyone wishing to make a donation will be sent a pre-addressed envelope. Callers will not ask for credit card information. Donations should only be sent to the following addresses: P.O. Box 4150, Auburn, CA, 95604 or P.O. Box 1710, Tahoe City, CA 96145.
For further information, contact Search and Rescue Community Services Officer Katrina Kane at (530) 889-7846. |
