Angels Camp, CA…On March 31, 2019 at approximately 6:50 PM, officers from the Angels Camp Police Department attempted to conduct a routine traffic stop of a white SUV in the area of Gardner Lane and Holly Street for vehicle code violations. The vehicle failed to yield to the officer’s lights and siren and continued to drive at approximately 10-15 mph throughout the Gardner Lane area. The driver drove through an outdoor party being held in one of the neighborhoods where children and adults were present in the street. After driving approximately one mile through the neighborhoods located on Gardner Lane, Casey Street and Holly Street, the driver stopped the vehicle on Holly St near Gardner Lane.

The driver was identified as 32 year old Angels Camp resident, Dustin Pruden. Pruden was driving the vehicle with an adult passenger in the front passenger seat and a small child in a carseat in the backseat. The adult passenger was identified as a parent of the small child. The passenger and the child were released at the scene.

Pruden was placed under arrest for three outstanding misdemeanor Calaveras County warrants. A search of the vehicle was conducted. Officers located stolen property in the vehicle to include: tools, paperwork, photos, checks, and bank cards. The property was seized and is being returned to the rightful owners.

Pruden was arrested and transported to the Calaveras County Jail. While enroute to the jail, Pruden attempted to destroy a small plastic baggie containing methamphetamine in the backseat of the patrol vehicle. In addition to the three misdemeanor warrants, Pruden was booked in to the Calaveras County Jail on the following charges:

273A(A) PC – Willful Cruelty to Child
2800.1 VC – Evading a Peace Officer
14601.1(A) VC – Drive with License Suspended
496(a) PC- Receive Known Stolen Property
11377(A)HS- Possession of a Controlled Substance
135 PC- Destroy Conceal Evidence

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