Sonora, CA…From the Tuolumne Sheriff’s Dept…”An ongoing investigation regarding a string of burglaries that occurred last year in Strawberry and Twain Harte, finally comes to an end. In September 2017, the High Risk Supervision Team attempted to locate 26-year-old Michael Valentine of Sonora to serve a probation search. Valentine was not located at that time but a search of his travel trailer was conducted. Dep. Bryan Lee was able to identify numerous items reported stolen from 8 different burglaries such as mail, check books, check making paper, check printing instructions, snow ski equipment, tools, electronics and many more.

The Deputy learned Valentine shared a storage unit with 27-year-old Travis Ashlock. A search of that unit produced additional items reported stolen from the burglaries. During the time of the investigation Valentine and Ashlock had been arrested for unrelated charges.

DNA evidence from the scene of the crimes was processed by the Department of Justice. Several months later DNA results returned with a match for Michael Valentine and Travis Ashlock . The men who were already in custody, Valentine at the Tuolumne County Jail and Ashlock at a State Prison, will now be facing numerous charges relating to their crime spree.

It is very satisfying for our deputies to be able to return the stolen property to their rightful owners and bring this case to a close.”