MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Sgt Chris Hewitt
Release Date: 04/16/12 Release Time: Immediate
Time: 1300 hrs Release Number: 1
Wilseyville Man Arrested for Vehicle Theft, Felony Evading, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon
(Valley Springs, CA) On 04/08/12 at approx. 12:03 AM, Calaveras Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the Special Enforcement Team conducted a traffic enforcement stop on Justin Ervin Petersen (27) of Wilseyville near Burson Market on Highway 12 in Burson. As the deputies walked up to Mr. Petersen’s vehicle, which had been stolen from a residence in West Point, Mr. Petersen sped away at a high rate of speed. The deputies pursued Mr. Petersen eastbound on Highway 12, with the suspect vehicle speeds exceeding 100 MPH. The pursuit ended on Quail Oaks Road, Valley Springs, after Mr. Petersen jumped from the moving vehicle and began fleeing the deputies on foot. Upon jumping from the vehicle, the stolen truck rolled and struck the deputies’ patrol vehicle, knocking one of the deputies to the ground. The deputy suffered minor injuries, but was able to resume his duties. Mr. Petersen continued to flee and was able to evade arrest.
On 04/12/12 at approx. 1725 hours, acting upon evidence that was found inside the stolen truck, including a cell phone that pointed towards the identity of Mr. Petersen, the Special Enforcement Team deputies responded to Mr. Petersen’s residence in Wilseyville, where he was arrested without incident. Mr. Petersen was booked into the Calaveras County jail on the following listed charges: 2800.2 CVC (felony), 245 (c) PC (felony), 10851 (A) CVC (felony), 148 (A) PC (misdemeanor), and 4462.5 CVC (misdemeanor).
