Attempted Storage Theft
Valley Springs, CA – A Deputy’s sharp eye spotted a burglary in progress. Calaveras County Sheriff’s officials report a deputy was patrolling the 2000 block of Hogan Dam Road near Harper Lane when he saw a man running from several storage containers last week. Deputies report “No Trespassing” signs were prominently posted on the property. They noted one of the storage units door was opened and a motorcycle was lying on the ground outside.
During a search of the area, deputies found 27-year-old Benjamin Thomas Kerr of Valley Springs on the far side of the property. Kerr admitted he was the person that the deputies saw running from the storage containers and he knew the motorcycle was stored in the unit. He also told them that someone had dropped him off at the property.
Further investigation led deputies to 28-year-old Jeremiah Nathaniel James of Valley Springs who had dropped Kerr off at the property.
Kerr and James were arrested and charged with felony attempted burglary, attempted vehicle theft, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Sheriff’s officials say James was recently released from prison under AB109, and is on Post Release Community Supervision in Calaveras County.
