SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (Dec 18 2023) — In a gripping turn of events, a seasonal Caltrans employee found himself in the crosshairs of law enforcement after being flagged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Saturday evening.
At precisely 5:40 p.m. on December 16, authorities zeroed in on a vehicle linked to a wanted individual in Meyers. The FBI had marked both the vehicle and its occupant, identified as Ricardo Sanchez, as high-priority. Sanchez, an armed and dangerous felon, had an active no-bail warrant hanging over his head.
With the precision characteristic of seasoned law enforcement, El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies combed through Meyers and honed in on the vehicle tucked away in the Caltrans parking lot off SR89. Collaborating seamlessly with Caltrans management, authorities confirmed Sanchez’s presence in a second-story dorm room.
In a coordinated effort involving the California Highway Patrol and the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Sanchez was successfully apprehended without incident. The arrest, conducted at the Caltrans facility, unfolded smoothly, mitigating the risk of harm to anyone involved.
Key Details:
- Name: Ricardo Edward Jr Sanchez
- Age: 31
- Sex: Male
- Race: Hispanic
- Height: 5′ 9″
- Weight: 180
- Hair: Bald
- Eyes: Black
- Build: Average
- Complexion: Clear
- Booking Date: 12/16/2023 19:32
- Arresting Agency: EDSO
- Arrest Location: 2243 CORNELIAN DR
Sanchez now faces a formidable charge under T-18 US Code Sec. 922 – Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a felony carrying a weighty consequence. As it stands, his bail is set at a resolute $0.
Steve Nelson, Chief Caltrans Public Information Officer, shed light on the arrest, affirming,
“The person apprehended on Saturday at our Meyers maintenance yard was a PI (permanent intermittent) employee enlisted for winter operations. Caltrans extends gratitude that the arrest unfolded without injury and acknowledges the crucial support from our law enforcement partners.”
As the dust settles on this arrest, Caltrans remains tight-lipped about further details. The arrest raises questions about the screening process for seasonal hires, leaving the public to ponder the security implications of such incidents within critical infrastructure agencies. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding saga.
