Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Deputies Staying Busy
Sonora, Ca — Tuolumne County Jail has been a busy location the past few days.
Between Friday and Monday, 27 arrests were made for various charges. Early Friday evening, Sgt. Robin Hunt and Corporal Phil Halencak were called to a home on Meadow Court in Sonora regarding a person threatening himself with a knife. Upon arrival, they found the man lying in the garage with stab wounds and blood flowing from his stomach. He was airlifted to a Modesto hospital where he remains in serious condition.
Soon thereafter, a caller from Twain Harte reported that someone had climbed the Arch, unplugged the tree lights, and had started fighting with others on Joaquin Gully. Responding deputies made several contacts with persons in the area. One of the individuals contacted was 24 year old Matthew Thomas Harrison of Sonora. He was reportedly driving a white Chevy truck recklessly in the area. The CHP was contacted, and Harrison was arrested for DUI.
An hour later, deputies responded to Chinese Camp to a report of a dispute with shots having been fired. 54 year old Daniel Rupe of Sonora was driving his 1982 Datsun truck when he allegedly started to drive toward the person he had been fighting with. That person, feeling threatened, shot out the tires of Rupe´s truck. Deputies found Rupe and took him to jail for DUI. The Sheriff´s Department says the incident remains under investigation.
The department also reports other alcohol and drug related arrests around downtown Twain Harte Friday evening.
On Saturday evening, deputies were called to Crystal Falls for a report of a family disturbance. The information given to the deputies was of a 28 year old male destroying items in the residence. He then walked out of the residence carrying a rifle, and wearing camouflaged clothing. A few minutes later he was reported to be back in the residence after having forced open the front door and kicking in an interior door. Dispatchers were able to get the male on the phone, and he voluntarily walked outside and was taken into custody. The unidentified individual was booked in county jail for felony terrorist threats and criminally exhibiting a firearm.
Lt. Dan Bressler says many of the arrests over the past three days were for felony charges. Those ranged from transportation and possession of methamphetamine, evading arrest and gun related threat charges. 75 car stops were made, and an additional number of pedestrian checks. Dispatch and patrol handled approximately 210 calls for service.
Written by BJ Hansen
