Martell, CA…From the Amador Sheriff’s Dept…”On September 17th, 2018 at around 2:44PM, Joseph Homer Modrall, age 34 of Sacramento and Gary Wayne Modrall, age 69 of Sacramento, decided to go shopping for a victim at Save Mart Grocery Store in Martell. While Gary Modrall waited outside in the parking lot, Joseph Modrall entered Save Mart and snatched a purse from a womans shopping cart. That’s when the plan fell apart.

Several concerned citizens chased after Joseph Modrall and a brief scuffle ensued outside, in and around the suspects vehicle. While witnesses called 911 a few people attempted to retrieve the stolen purse from Joseph Modrall. At some point, Joseph stated that he had a gun and the pair was able to flee in a silver colored Jeep Cherokee, striking one of the good Samaritans with the vehicle in the process.

The people who witnessed the incident were able to provide a fantastic description of the suspects and their vehicle to dispatch. This was key to the eventual successful outcome of this case.

Moments later, responding Sheriff’s Deputies located the vehicle as it turned east onto Ridge Road from Hwy 88. Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle at Chevron Gas Station at Ridge Road and Hwy 49, but the vehicle fled the gas station back onto Ridge Road at a high rate of speed.

Near the intersection of Ridge Road and Locomotive, the driver, Gary Modrall, stopped momentarily and Joseph Modrall exited the vehicle from the passenger side. Joseph was immediately taken into custody by a Jackson Police Officer and Amador County Deputies.

Gary Modrall evaded responding law enforcement personal and fled in his vehicle, onto Westbound Hwy 88. Amador County Deputies pursued Modrall at speeds ranging from 55 to 80 mph, into San Joaquin County where he eventually ran out of gas. Gary Modrall was taken into custody without further incident.

Joseph Homer Modrall was booked into the Amador County Jail for robbery, criminal threats, elder abuse/theft and violation of parole. Gary Wayne Modrall was booked into the Amador County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon and evading law enforcement in a vehicle.

One of the people that attempted to stop the suspects was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the hospital.

Several items stolen from the victim were located in Modrall’s vehicle and were returned to their rightful owner.

In a community that looks out for each other, crime doesn’t pay. While the Amador County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the efforts of all of our good Samaritans, we strongly recommend that when possible, be an excellent witness, but leave the apprehension of criminals to us. A purse can always be replaced, our wonderful citizens can’t.