Full Notification

The following press release is to update information regarding the armed robbery, vehicle pursuit, and arrest of four suspects that occurred on 6-24-18.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office continues to conduct an active investigation into this incident and confirm details from victims and witnesses. The following is what Sheriff’s detectives have pieced together so far: On 6-24-18 around 4:00pm a group of suspects arrived at a location in the 4000 block of French Gulch Road near Murphys for a previously arranged illegal marijuana transaction. The suspects were reportedly supposed to purchase a large amount of marijuana. This location where the transaction was to take place, which includes a residence, was a previously registered commercial medical marijuana cultivation site. In September 2016 the Sheriff’s Office had recommended denial of this registration due to failure of the applicant to disclose an arrest or conviction. The site was denied registration by the Calaveras County Planning Department in March 2018 for failure to pay Measure C taxes.

On 6-24-18 the suspects arrived at the site driving multiple vehicles described as a black SUV, Uhaul truck, and a black Range Rover. Upon their arrival, multiple suspects brandished firearms, made threats, and tied up victims. Several victims were beaten and it was reported that the suspects were trying to get information to lead them to additional marijuana sites, more marijuana, or more money. Suspects stole personal items from victims’ persons as well as marijuana, cash, and one of the victim’s vehicles. The suspects reportedly left driving the black SUV, Uhaul truck, black Range Rover, and a victim’s white van. A victim called Sheriff’s Dispatch to report the crime which prompted a Be On the Lookout alert while deputies responded to the scene.

Within minutes a Sheriff’s Deputy saw multiple vehicles that matched the description of the suspects driving westbound on Highway 12 which prompted the pursuit of the black Range Rover. One subject from the Range Rover exited the vehicle while it was still travelling at a high rate of speed. This subject was later pronounced deceased at that location. A large amount of cash was recovered from the ground in the area and on his person. The Sheriff’s Office is still working on positive identification of this individual. Other defendants in this case are not being forth coming with information or his identity. Two other occupants of the Range Rover who fled from the pursuit termination point on foot were later captured by ACPD K9 Thor.

Other Sheriff’s Deputies in the area conducted a traffic stop on the white van that was taken during the robbery. Two more suspects were arrested from this vehicle which contained a large amount of marijuana. Two other suspect vehicles, the black SUV and Uhaul truck, are still outstanding. Suspects that were not captured have been described by the victims as being Middle Eastern. These suspects were also reportedly speaking a foreign language at times during commission of the crime.

The Sheriff’s Office booked the four arrested subjects into the Calaveras County Jail (suspect pictured above). These suspects are from Roseville, San Diego, and Illinois. Several of the suspects from Illinois have been identified as documented gang members belonging to the Black P Stones and Latin Kings criminal street gangs.

This case is still an active investigation and anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives through Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (209) 754-6500 or our anonymous tip line (209) 754-6030. No further information is available at this time.