Scrap Metal Leads To Arrest
Valley Springs, CA — Calaveras County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to 4700 block of Driver Road in Valley Springs for a possible burglary in progress.It happened Wednesday night around 11:30 when a neighbor spotted two men loading up their car with items in the front yard of the house.
The two men were gone when deputies arrived at the home, but the neighbor gave police a description of the men and the 2002 red Ford Escort they drove off in going west on Highway 26. Deputies were able to catch up to the suspects near Jack Tone Road and Highway 26. Sheriff’s Officials say the vehicle was completely loaded down with $500 worth of miscellaneous scrap metal.
Sheriff’s Officials say 28 year old Stephen Devin Jeffery and the passenger, 32 year old Charles Bradford Strelow-Raney both of Stockton told deputies they thought the house was abandoned and it was okay to take the metal without permission. They told deputies they never entered the house.
Sheriff’s Officials say the house was vacant and up for sale. They say the owner stated that no one had permission to be at the house or to remove anything from the property, and wished to pursue criminal charges against the suspects.
Both suspects were arrested and booked into the Calaveras County jail on Possession of Stolen Property charges.
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