Criminal Activity Results in Series of Arrests
August 30, 2024 – Calaveras County Sheriff's Office officials report that on July 24, 2024, at about 2:00 P.M., deputies were patrolling areas near Mokelumne Hill when they observed a vehicle traveling on Highway 49 that was displaying an expired registration tag. After confirming that the registration had expired, the deputy attempted to initiate a vehicle enforcement stop. The deputy contacted the driver, suspect Ricky Daniel Cavaco, age 39, from San Andreas, and the passenger, Arielle Christine Rudolph, age 33. The deputies conducted a search to ensure Suspect Cavaco was complying with the terms of his probation.
While searching the vehicle, deputies located metal knuckles, drug paraphernalia, parts of a rifle, (10) rounds of ammunition, several unknown pills, and about 7 grams of suspected fentanyl.
Suspect Cavaco and Suspect Rudolph were arrested and transported to the Calaveras County Jail. They were charged with possession of narcotics, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of a dangerous weapon (metal knuckles), possession of drug paraphernalia, and probation violation.
On August 7th, 2024, at about 12:50 P.M., Calaveras County deputies and Calaveras County Probation Officers went to a residence in the 9000 block of Camanche Parkway, Burson, to conduct a home visit. The main purpose of the home visit was to ensure that the persons were complying with the terms of their probation.
While searching the residence and property, deputies located a “stun gun,” metal knuckles, 62 rounds of ammunition in 4 different calibers, 5 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and parts to firearms. The items above were determined to belong to suspect Cavaco.
During the search and subsequent investigation, deputies observed a sedan approaching the residence's long driveway. The vehicle abruptly stopped and then sped backward until it collided with the hillside and a small ditch on the property. Deputies attempted to initiate a vehicle enforcement stop on the vehicle while the other deputies collected evidence. Due to the dust and the suspect's speed, the deputies terminated their efforts as they could not determine the suspect vehicle's direction of travel. The deputies went back to the residence to continue their investigation.
About an hour later, a second vehicle arrived at the property. The second vehicle also came to an aggressive stop and began recklessly backing down the driveway. Deputies activated their emergency lighting and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle. As the vehicle backed, it struck a barbed wire fence and pole, causing damage. The driver attempted to evade the deputies, passing over double lines, ignoring stop signs, and reaching speeds of over 75MPH. The vehicle finally stopped in a church parking lot in the 7000 block of Wards Avenue, Wallace. The driver, Michael Armand Re, age 40, of San Andreas, was arrested without incident. A search of the vehicle revealed about .5 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 6 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms.
Suspect Cavaco and Suspect Re were transported to the Calaveras County Jail, where they were booked on felony charges.
Source: Calaveras County Sheriff's Office