Murphys, CA…On December 1, 2021 the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Detective Unit served a search warrant in the 1900 block of Big Flat Road in Murphys. The search warrant was obtained after an in-depth investigation of a “CAT” Excavator which had been stolen in the State of Nevada. Detectives were able to identify that the Excavator was located on property in Murphys and obtained a search warrant. Detectives located and seized two handguns and 10 grams of methamphetamine. Two suspects were arrested during the operation.

James Martin St. Louis, age 38 of Douglas Flat, was placed under arrest and booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 10851(A) VC Theft of a Vehicle, 496 PC Receive Known Stolen Property, 11370.1(A) HS Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed, 29800(a) PC Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 30305(a) PC Possession of Prohibited Ammunition, etc., 1203.2 PC Felony Violation of Probation, 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime, 466 PC Possession of Burglary Tools and 11364 HS Possession of Unlawful Paraphernalia. James St. Louis is being held on no Bail.

David Lee Copeland, age 38 of Vallecito, was placed under arrest and booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 29800(a) PC Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 30305(a) PC Possession of Prohibited Ammunition, etc., 11370.1 HS Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed, 11364 (a) HS Possession of Unlawful Paraphernalia, 466 PC Possession of Burglary Tools, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime. Copeland is being held on $125,000 Bail.
The investigation is ongoing.