October 15, 2023 - Amador County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Friday an alert deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description of a suspect vehicle that was used to steal a utility trailer in Martell on September 30, 2023.  Upon contacting the driver, Joseph Galea, 65-years-old, of Drytown, he admitted to stealing the trailer in Martell and taking it to a residence in Elk Grove.  Upon searching the suspect's vehicle, the deputy located a license plate that belonged to a fifth wheel trailer that was reported stolen out of El Dorado County in August of 2022.  The suspect admitted to stealing the fifth wheel trailer in El Dorado County and storing it at his residence in Drytown. 

The utility trailer and fifth wheel trailer were subsequently located and reunited with their rightful owners.  The suspect was arrested for grand theft and possession of stolen property.

Source & photo: Amador County Sheriff's Office