March 28, 2026 – Sonora Police Department officials report that on March 19, 2026, at 8:05 a.m. Officers with the Sonora Police Department received a call reporting damage to a vending machine and stolen items at the Downtown Plaza Laundromat. Officers determined someone pried open the vending machine and stole merchandise valued at just over $1,300. Video surveillance was provided to the officers, who were able to identify both males as 33-year-old Nicholas Varvel of Sonora and 40-year-old William Vannortwick of Sonora.

On March 20, 2026, at 9:29 p.m. Officers located Vannortwick at a residence in Sonora and quickly took him into custody. After taking Vannortwick into custody, he attempted to escape. Officers then transported Vannortwick to Tuolumne County Jail without further incident. Vannortwick was booked for Felony burglary, Felony conspiracy to commit a crime, Felony attempt to escape arrest, Felony theft with 2 or more priors, and Felony violation of parole.

On March 22, 2026, at 12:50 a.m. officers located Nicholas Varvel at the Chevron in Jamestown and quickly placed Varvel into custody. Upon searching Varvel, officers located a sheathed knife and a concealed dagger on his person. Varvel was taken to Tuolumne County Jail and booked for Felony burglary, Felony conspiracy to commit a crime, and misdemeanor conceal a dirk or dagger.

It’s important to remember that the individuals mentioned in this report were arrested based on suspicion of the crimes they’ve been charged with. All such charges are mere allegations, and all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Source & photo: Sonora Police Department