Calaveras Fugitive Caught

Stockton, CA — A Valley Springs man who led Calaveras County Deputies on a high-speed chase after allegedly holding a gun to woman’s head has been arrested.

On Tuesday, investigators put out a fugitive wanted notice on for 37-year-old Shawn Jonathan Melcher for attempted murder.  The warrant for his arrest surrounded an incident on March 18^th at a home on the 10000 block of Hogan Dam Road in Valley Springs. There he allegedly got into an argument with a woman and allegedly held a handgun to her head before fleeing the home.  Melcher then led deputies on a high-speed chase and allegedly tried to run over a deputy.

San Joaquin County deputies arrested him in Stockton just before midnight last night thanks to an anonymous tip. Calaveras County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Hewitt says, “Melcher resisted arrest and he was possibly tasered, but that is all the information I have.”

Hewitt says he does not know exactly where Melcher was arrested in Stockton.  Arrest records show Melcher had drugs on him when he taken into custody, but there is no word on what type of drugs.  He faces three new felony charges including drug possession and resisting arrest.

Hewitt says, “Calaveras County Detective interviewed Melcher this afternoon, but I don’t have any information on what he said if anything.”

Melcher bail including both counties has been set at $698,000 total.