Date and Time of Release: 3 February 2012

Date and Time of Incident: Past three days

Subject: Counterfeit update
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The investigation into the passing of counterfeit $100 bills is continuing and additional information has been learned. The suspect is operating a 2011, silver in color, Dodge Dakota P/U, 4 door, 4×4. California license 12726A1.

The vehicle was rented from Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Modesto several days ago. The money order used to rent the vehicle was purchased with counterfeit $100 bills. The vehicle is beyond its return date and is believed to be stolen at this point.

The subjects who rented the vehicle are Timothy Ferguson, 31 of Modetso and Lori Price, 38 of Modesto. Ferguson doesn’t match the person seen in surveillance videos passing the counterfeit bills. However, the Sonora Police Department would like to speak with him regarding the vehicle.

If you have information regarding the vehicle, either two subjects, or this case in general, please contact the Sonora Police Department at 532-8141.

Date and Time of Release: 2 February 2012

Date and Time of Incident: Past Two Days

Subject: Counterfeit $100 Bills
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During the past two days the Sonora Police Department has been contacted five times regarding the passing of, or the attempted passing of, counterfeit $100 bills. The bills appear to be acid washed $5 bills with a $100 bill image printed over it. Because the bills are printed on real currency paper, counterfeit pens and markers will show the bill to be good. However, the pens and markers only test the paper and not the content of the bill.

The Sonora Police Department would like to encourage merchants not to rely on the pens and markers alone and to check a few of the security features on the bills. A couple of things you can look for on the new $100 bills are;

Look for a blue ribbon on the front of the bill. Tilt the note back and forth while focusing on the blue ribbon. You will see the bells change to 100’s as they move. When you tilt the bill back and forth, the bells and 100’s move side to side. If you tilt it side to side they move up and down. The ribbon is woven into the paper and not printed on it.

Look for an image of a color shifting bell, inside the copper-colored inkwell on the front of the new $100 bill. Tilt it to see the bell change from copper to green, an effect which makes the bell seem to disappear within the inkwell.

There are several other security features on the new $100 bills and there are also several security features on the older $100 bills as well. You can learn more about the security features by logging onto http://www.newmoney.gov/currency/100.htm or to http://www.treasury.gov/services/Pages/coins-currency

The person passing the bills is described as a white male adult, with brown hair, approx. 5-10, having a medium build. He normally purchases items of low value and receives a large amount of change. If you have any information on the possible responsible or if you believe you have accepted one of these counterfeit bills, please contact the Sonora Police Department at 532-8141.

Date and Time of Release: 1 February 2012

Date and Time of Incident: 31 January 2012, at approx. 7:40 pm

Subject: Stolen Property Arrest/Drug Arrest
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31 January 2012, Officers from the Sonora Police Department responded to the Intensive Care Unit of Sonora Regional Medical Center regarding a stolen I phone. Officers contacted an employee of the hospital, who related their phone had been stolen. They also related they felt the responsible was someone who was at the hospital visiting a patient.

Officers responded to the possible suspect’s residence located on the 400 block of S. Stewart St. While one officer was contacting the possible responsible at the front door of the residence, another officer stopped a second subject, who was running out the back door with the stolen phone.

The Officer at the front door could see a large amount of drug paraphernalia on a table inside the residence. The Officer entered the residence and noticed hypodermic needles, burned spoons and zip lock bags. During a search of the residence heroin was located along with more drug paraphernalia used for injecting narcotics.

The responsible was identified as Charles “Taylor” Bowers, 21 of Sonora. Bowers admitted to taking the I phone while visiting someone at the hospital. He also admitted to giving the phone to another subject when he saw an Officer at the front door. Bowers was placed under arrest and booked at the Tuolumne County Jail for; felony possession of a controlled substance; felony possession of stolen property; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; misdemeanor possession of a hypodermic.

Date and Time of Release: 25 January 2012

Date and Time of Incident: 24 January 2012, at approx. 2:30 pm

Subject: Warrant Arrest
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24 January 2012, at approx. 2:30 pm, Sonora Police Department assisted Tuolumne County Child Welfare Services on a welfare check of a 4 month old boy. The mother and father of the boy were located at a residence on the 300 block of Hospital Road. This is the same residence Officers removed some other children from on 4 January 2012.

The Officers contacted the father, Pedro Velazquez, 32 of Sonora; and the mother Niccole Davis, 30 of Sonora, along with their 4 month old child. Velazquez originally identified himself as being someone else. The Officer speaking with Velazquez became suspicious when he ran a warrants check on the name that Velazquez gave and there was a warrant for a person with a similar name and date of birth out of Santa Ana, CA., where Velazquez claimed he had spent some time.

The Officer had the dispatcher call Santa Ana to obtain the tattoos they had listed for the person they had the warrant for. These tattoos matched the ones Velazquez had. Velazquez was placed under arrest for the outstanding felony possession of a controlled substance warrant. It was also learned that Velazquez had been arrested for the same charge in 2003 and had been deported because he was in the Country illegally.

Davis was found to be in possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. She was also placed under arrest. Their child was turned over to Child Welfare Services for protective custody.

Velazquez and Davis were transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and book. Velazquez was booked for the felony drug warrant out of Santa Ann and for being in the Country illegally; Davis was booked for misdemeanor possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

Date and Time of Release: 18 January 2012

Date and Time of Incident: 17 January 2012, at approx. 5:55 pm

Subject: Drug Arrest
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17 January 2012, at approx. 5:55 pm, Officers from the Sonora Police Department responded to the parking lot of Sonora Regional Medical Center regarding a physical fight in progress.

During the Officers investigation, they contacted Adam Hoskins, 25 of Jamestown and Ashley Reiser, 28 of Columbia. Reiser gave officers a false name because she knew she had an outstanding warrant. She was later identified and arrested on the outstanding warrant. She was also found to be in the possession of a hypodermic needle.

Hoskins was found to be in possession of a glass smoking pipe, which had narcotic residue in the smoking bowl. Hoskins was also in possession of a “hip kit,” which contained hypodermic needles, a spoon with narcotic residue and other items associated with the injection of narcotics. Hoskins was also in the possession of a stolen checkbook.

Both Hoskins and Reiser were placed under arrest and transported to the Tuolumne County Jail for booking. While Hoskins was being searched at the jail by a deputy, a couple of pills fell from his body onto the floor. A strip search and body cavity search of Hoskins revealed 26 Hydrocodone and 8 Adderal pills concealed in his anal cavity.

Hoskins was booked for felony possession of a controlled substance; felony brining a controlled substance into a correctional facility; felony possession of stolen property; misdemeanor possession of hypodermic needles; misdemeanor possession of a narcotic smoking pipe

Reiser was booked on an outstanding misdemeanor drug warrant; misdemeanor false information to a police officer; misdemeanor possession of a hypodermic needle.

Date and Time of Release: 17 January 2012

Date and Time of Incident: 17 January 2012, at approx. 4:00 pm

Subject: Attempted Carjacking and Arrest
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17 January 2012, at approx. 4:00 pm, the Sonora Police Department responded to an attempted carjacking at the AM/PM mini mart on Pesce Way. The victim told officers that she was parked at the pumps preparing to pay for fuel, when she was approached by a male subject. The subject told her, “this is a carjacking, give me the keys to your car.”

At this point the victim could see that the suspect was holding a knife in his right hand. Then for some unknown reason the suspect dropped the knife to the pavement. The victim quickly stepped on the knife. However, the suspect pushed the victim off of the knife and retrieved it then he walked away from the gas station. The victim was able to give officers a clothing description of the suspect. The victim also gave a physical description of the suspect which matched that of the carjacking suspect from the night before.

At approx. 5:00 pm, an Officer observed a subject on S. Washington St. whose clothing matched the clothing description of the suspect of the attempted carjacking. The subject also matched the same physical description.

When the Officer attempted to contact the subject, he took off running and was last seen entering a yard of a residence on the 500 block of S. Washington St. Officers established a perimeter and located the subject hiding under a house.

The subject was identified as Zakary Howerton, 21 of Sonora. Howerton had in his possession the identification belonging to the carjacking victim from the 16th and the ignition key to her vehicle. Howerton was placed under arrest and transported to the Tuolumne County Jail where he was booked for felony carjacking and felony attempted carjacking. Howerton is also a suspect in a residential burglary which had occurred earlier in the day inside the City.

Date and Time of Release: 17 January 2012

Date and Time of Incident: 16 January 2012, at approx. 7:20 pm

Subject: Carjacking
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16 January 2012, at approx. 7:20 pm, the Sonora Police Department responded to a reported carjacking in the parking lot of Big Lots, located in the Cross Roads Shopping Center.

Officer’s contacted the Victim who related she was sitting inside her vehicle, with the driver’s door open, smoking a cigarette, when an unknown male subject approached her and asked her for a cigarette. The Victim gave the unknown male subject a cigarette.

The suspect then told the victim that he also wanted her car. The victim felt this was a joke at first then the suspect brandished a knife at the victim. The suspected also demanded the victim’s cell phone and her purse. The victim exited her vehicle and told the suspect to take everything. The suspect then told the victim “thanks” and drove away in the victim’s vehicle.

Officers contacted the victim’s cell phone provider and were able to obtain the location of the victim’s cell phone. Officers responded to this area and located the victim’s vehicle, which was parked at Soulsbyville Elementary School. The vehicle was not damaged or vandalized.

The suspect is described as being a white, adult, male, approximately 25 years of age, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing a black beanie and a black and white plaid jacket.

If you have any information about this incident please contact the Sonora Police Department at 532-8141.

Date and Time of Release: 6 January 2012

Date and Time of Incident: 4 January 2012 at approx. 1:54 pm

Subject: Child Endangerment Arrest
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4 January 2012, at approx. 1:54 pm, Officers from the Sonora Police Department and a worker from Tuolumne County Department of Child Welfare Services went to a residence on the 300 block of Hospital Rd. to conduct a welfare check on some children, which child Welfare Services had an open case on. The reason for the visit was to confirm the children were in a safe environment.

Officers quickly located a mirror which had a large amount of a white crystal substance on it. The substance tested positive as being methamphetamine. Packaged methamphetamine was also located within reach of the children in the residence, along with open containers of alcoholic beverages. The father of the children, Juan Herrera, 29 of Sonora, admitted the methamphetamine belonged to him.

As the Child Welfare Services work and Officers continued their investigation, they noted that the backyard and basement of the residence contained a large amount of trash and areas of pooled raw sewage. There were bags of rotting trash under the house, in the kitchen, in the laundry room and in the backyard. There was spoiled food on the kitchen table and counters. The floors of the residence were extremely dirty and some were covered with dirty clothing.

Child Welfare Services took custody of the two children, an 8 year old girl and a 4 month old girl. Herrera was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for felony child endangerment and felony possession of a controlled substance. The investigation into this matter is continuing.

Date and Time of Release: 5 January 2012

Date and Time of Incident: 4 January 2012 at approx. 2:47 pm

Subject: Stolen Vehicle Arrest
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4 January 2012, at approx. 2:47 pm, Officers from the Sonora Police Department and a worker from Tuolumne County Department of Child Welfare Services went to a residence on the 300 block of Hospital Rd. to conduct a welfare check on some children.

As the officers arrived at the location, there was a male subject sitting inside a white, 1999 Isuzu Trooper. As the Officers and Child Welfare Services worker exited their vehicles, the male subject started the vehicle and backed up rapidly, almost hitting the Child Welfare Services worker. The subject then fled the area at a high rate of speed.

An Officer was able to obtain the plate of the vehicle. Upon running the plate, it was learned the vehicle was stolen out of Tuolumne County. The people inside the residence told Officers that the driver was Dustin Stevens, 23 of Sonora and he was trying to sell them the vehicle for $500.

Officers located the vehicle abandoned a short distance from the residence. During a search of the area the suspect was located on Campo Seco Road, by a California Highway Patrol Officer. Stevens did not have a shirt on when located. Stevens gave a false name to the Officer, but apparently Stevens had forgotten he had his last name tattooed on his back, which was visible to the Officer. When the Officer pointed this out to Stevens, Stevens admitted who he was and confirmed he was the one that Officers were looking for.

Stevens was taken into custody without incident and turned over to the Sonora Police Department. Stevens was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for felony possession of stolen property, felony assault with a deadly weapon and for several outstanding warrants.

The Police Department’s Awards Committee has recommended that the following individuals be recognized as employees/volunteers of 2011. Each individual will have their name added to the perpetual plaques which are displayed in the lobby of the Police Department. They will also be recognized at a City Council meeting in February 2012.

Officer of the Year: Sgt. Glenn Roberts
Civilian Employee of the Year: Naomi Kneip
Reserve Officer of the Year: Dennis Townsend
PACT member of the Year: Ricky Roberts
Explorer of the Year: Kayla Gladysz

On 19 Dec. 2011, a Good Samaritan contacted the Sonora Police Department and reported they had found $1,600 in cash while in a local park. The Good Samaritan said they were turning the money in, “because it was the right thing to do.”

The money contains some very identifiable marks and has been confirmed not to be counterfeit. Local law enforcement agencies have been contacted and no one has reported the loss or the theft of this amount of money, in the given domination amounts.

Anyone attempting to claim the money will be required to identify the money and the dominations it is in. If no one claims the money the Good Samaritan could claim it after 90 days.

Anyone with information regarding the money is asked to call the Sonora Police Department at (209) 532-8141.

DISPATCHER-RECORDS SPECIALIST
RECRUITMENT

Are you interested in finding a rewarding and meaningful career, with the added bonus of giving back to the community? If you are, consider joining the City of Sonora’s Police Department as a Police Dispatcher-Records Specialist.

We are currently recruiting for individuals on a part-time basis in either Trainee or Journey Level status. If you do not have a California P.O.S.T. Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Academy Certificate of Training (which qualifies you for Journey Level), within a time frame established by the Police Chief, the City will pay for you to attend the three week certificate training.

Our Salaries are competitive, with a 5% increases for advancement to Steps B through E (typical entry level placement is at Step A) for every 2080 hours worked. Even though part-time positions are not represented, part-time Dispatchers receive the same cost of living increases as those negotiated by the Sonora Police Officers’ Association for represented Dispatchers.

The Principal Functions of a Police Dispatcher-Records Specialist are to receive and dispatch calls for emergency and non-emergency services and to perform a full range of clerical and customer service duties involved in the maintenance, processing, and distribution of Police records. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of an assigned supervisor. The City of Sonora Dispatch Center is equipped with a computerized dispatch system, with coverage being maintained twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week basis, including holidays, weekends. Shift assignments are typically scheduled a month in advance, with call-ins possible to cover unscheduled shift vacancies or emergencies.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Sonora Police Department’s Dispatch Center, please contact Communications-Records Supervisor Debbie Dills at (209) 532-8141. She can answer your questions concerning the job duties of our Dispatchers and if you’d like, she can schedule a tour of the Police Department, including the Dispatch Center. If you would prefer a more in-depth experience, and as time allows, she may be able to schedule you for a job shadow session, which would allow you to spend time in the Dispatch Center observing their day to day activities.

To obtain a Recruitment Packet for this great employment opportunity, go to the City’s website at www.sonoraca.com or stop by City Administration, 94 N. Washington Street (8:00 am – 4:00 pm / Monday – Friday) or the Police Department, 100 S. Green Street (8:00 am – 5:00 pm / Monday -Friday). You can also call (209) 588-8946 to have a packet mailed to you.

PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY AND OPT-OUT

The increasing sophistication of computers and telecommunications networks has brought consumers many conveniences. But advanced technologies pose serious threats to privacy. Most of you are familiar with what happens when your privacy has been compromised. Your phone rings off the hook with calls from telemarketers or your mail box overflows with junk mail. You may even be the victim of identity theft, the fastest growing crime in America.

Below are some helpful tips that can help you protect your privacy and help safeguard you from identity theft.

Protect your financial privacy
Tell financial companies that they may not sell or share your customer data with other businesses outside their group of affiliated companies. Federal law requires banks, credit card companies, insurance companies and brokerage firms to send you a privacy notice each year, giving you the opportunity to “Opt-Out” of having your personal information sold or shared with unrelated companies. If you do not remember receiving a privacy notice, ask your financial company to mail you one.

Reduce telemarketing calls
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has established a national “Do Not Call” list where consumers can register to have unsolicited calls blocked. Consumers can register with the FTC on the internet at www.ftc.gov or by calling toll free 888-382-1222. Remember, if you obtain a new phone number, you will need to list it with the FTC.

You can also ask telemarketers to put you on their “Do Not Call” list. Federal law requires them to maintain a list of consumers who ask not to be called. However, you must notify each company individually.

Reduce junk mail
Many mail order firms, magazines and credit card companies provide a box to check if you do not want your name, address and shopping habits sold to other companies. Be sure to find and mark this box. This includes orders on the internet.

Participate in the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service. Send your name and address to; Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
You will be added to a list of people who do not want to receive mail from the “major” nationwide catalog and marketing companies. However, this will not stop all junk mail. For other types of unwanted junk mail, you have to deal with each mailer directly.

In general, be aware that when you provide your name, address, phone number and other personal information, your name could end up on mailing lists. The following activities often result in junk mail and telemarketing calls;

• Filling out warranty and product registration cards
• Listing your phone number and address in the phone book
• Joining or donating money to clubs, organizations or charities
• Subscribing to magazines, book clubs and music clubs.

Also, be aware that when you make any major life change; marriage, birth, home sale, home purchase, move, divorce; a government agency records the event. Many files are open to the public and are used by marketers to compile lists. Though you generally cannot make public records private, you can write to companies that have put you on a mailing list and ask to be deleted.

Get your name off mailing lists for pre-approved offers of credit
Notify the credit bureaus that you do not want to receive pre-approved credit offers by calling (888) 5 OPT-OUT or (888) 567-8688.

We hope the information and resources contained in this issue of the City Scene will help you obtain control of your personal information and protect your privacy and identity. If you have a question regarding this topic or identity theft, please contact the Sonora Police Department.

The staff of the Sonora Police Department wishes you a happy, safe and prosperous New Year.

Date and Time of Release: 14 December 2011

Date and Time of Incident: 14 December 2011

Subject: SPD Now on Facebook
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The Sonora Police Department has launched a Facebook page. The Police Department is hoping to use the Facebook page to supply more information to the public. All press releases will be posted on the Facebook account, just like they are on the Department’s web site.

Besides press releases, additional information will be posted on the Facebook account, such as articles appearing in the City Scene, the Department’s annual report, helpful hints through the year, detailed information regarding parade routes, detours and street closures, and many more interesting items.

The Department is hoping the Facebook page will help provide the public with further information about what is going on inside the City, while giving them another resource for information other than the Department’s web page.

Date and Time of Release: 23 November 2011

Date and Time of Incident: 23 November 2011, at approx. 3:52 am

Subject: Burglary Arrest
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23 November 2011, at approx. 3:52 am, Officers noticed a male subject hiding behind a soda machine in front of O’Reilly’s Auto Parts on S. Washington Street. Officers contacted the subject who was acting extremely suspicious. When the Officers asked to search the subject, he took off running.

As the subject ran from the Officers, he tossed an 18 inch screwdriver and a hypodermic needle. When Officers caught up with the subject he was attempting to toss a large sum of one dollar bills. At this point the subject was taken into custody without further incident. The subject was identified as Eric Allen Wright, 30 of Stockton.

An examination of the soda machine where Wright was standing revealed it had been broken into and all the money removed. Two other soda machines in the area had also been broken into. Wright had in his possession $153 one dollar bills, along with a used methamphetamine pipe, which he was wearing around his neck.

Wright was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for;

Felony burglary
Misdemeanor obstructing an Officer
Misdemeanor possession of burglary tools
Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
Misdemeanor loitering on private property
Misdemeanor possession of a hypodermic needle

19 October 2011, a white 1998 Jeep Cherokee, California License 1VDC161, was stolen from a repair shop in the City of Sonora. The vehicle had new Eagle aluminum rims and a Homer Simpson sticker on the bottom left corner of the rear window. The vehicle still has not been recovered.

Inside the stolen vehicle was a Starbucks card, which the owner of the vehicle had registered on line with Starbucks. The owner was able to track the stolen card and determined it had been used in Angela Camp, Los Altos and Sparks Nevada, before it ran out of money.

The Sonora Police Department contacted Starbucks, who was very cooperative in the investigation of this mater. Starbucks was able to provide video surveillance from only one of their stores where the stolen card was used. Attached are a few surveillance photos’ showing two subjects who used the stolen Starbucks card.

If you should have any information regarding the possible identity of either of the two subjects shown in the surveillance photos, please call the Sonora Police Department at (209) 532-8141. At this time, it is unknown if either of these subjects are responsible for the theft of the vehicle or not.

Date and Time of Release: 21 October 2011

Date and Time of Incident: Past week

Subject: Catalytic Converter Thefts
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During the last four days, the Sonora Police Department has taken four theft reports involving the theft of catalytic converts from Toyota vehicles. Catalytic converts contain platinum and rhodium, both of which are expensive metals and currently have a high resale value.

All of the thefts have occurred during the day time and have been in parking lots. The thieves are targeting Toyota vehicles for two reasons. One is because most Toyota catalytic converts can be easily unbolted from underneath the vehicle. The second reason is because the amount of Platinum and rhodium is higher in Toyota catalytic converts than other manufactures.

The Sonora Police Department is asking for your help in this matter. If you should see someone crawling underneath a vehicle in a parking lot, or if you have any information regarding these thefts, please call the Sonora Police Department at 532-8141.

Date and Time of Release: 19 October 2011

Date and Time of Incident: 21 October 2011, approx. 2:15 pm to 3:00 pm

Subject: Sonora High School Homecoming Parade
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The Sonora High School Homecoming Parade will take place Friday, 21 Oct. 2011. People are reminded that Washington Street (SR 49) will be closed to all traffic from approx. 2:15 pm to 3:00 pm, between Snell Street and Church Street. School Street will be closed from 1:30 pm to approx. 2:15 pm for staging purposes.

The parade will leave Sonora High School and enter Snell Street from School Street. It will then travel south on Snell Street to Washington Street. At Washington Street, the parade will turn south and travel south on Washington Street. It will then turn right onto Stockton Road, then right again onto South Green Street and end at Courthouse Park.

Following the parade, the Golden Regiment Band will perform in Courthouse Park for approx. 15 minutes. During the band’s performance, Green Street will be closed between Bradford and Yaney Streets. There will be no parking allowed on Green Street between Yaney Street and Stockton Road during the parade. These areas have been posted with “No Parking” signs.

If you are going to be in the downtown area during this time, the Sonora Police Department is asking that you plan ahead and use alternate routes. We are asking drivers to be patient this Friday, as traffic flow will be extremely slow and congested in the downtown area following the parade.