Jackson, CA…On 08/18/2021 at approximately 1933 hours, the Jackson Police Department was dispatched to the area of Jackson Gate Road/Teresa’s, to a reported theft of motor vehicle that just occurred. The responding Sergeant was flagged down by a female, Gina and front passenger Leland Ruddock. Leland reported he was outside of his vehicle talking to a friend in the 1300 block of Jackson Gate Road, when an unknown person drove off in his green 2009 Toyota Corolla without his permission. Leland advised the vehicle was last seen traveling south on Jackson Gate Road and it was believed to be followed by a white small SUV (NFD).

Gina advised she had a photograph of Leland’s vehicle. The photograph Gina had, included the vehicle license plate and that information was provided to the Amador County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center. Amador Dispatch was able to send out a be on the lookout (BOLO) to the surrounding agencies.
Officers from Jackson and Sutter Creek Police Departments canvassed the area and Amador Dispatch started receiving calls from the public. A caller advised the stolen vehicle was currently parked in the Walmart parking lot. Jackson, Sutter Creek and lone Police Department Officers responded to the area where the stolen vehicle was located unoccupied.
Multiple Amador County Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived on scene and assisted in canvassing the nearby area. During the search of the area, ACSO personnel located 24-year-old Dylan Wheeler in the Homeless camp next to the old K-Mart. The keys belonging to the stolen vehicle were located near Wheeler. The keys were used to unlock the stolen vehicle and inside the vehicle was a fanny pack with indicia that had Wheeler’s name on it. There was also a small amount of suspected Methamphetamine and other miscellaneous items located inside the vehicle that did not belong to Leland. Wheeler was subsequently arrested for 10851(a) CVC (Vehicle Theft) and other charges.
Leland responded to Walmart and was reunited with his vehicle. The Jackson Police Department would like to thank Sutter Creek Police Department, lone Police Department, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office and most importantly the public for their assistance.