Already arrested 25 times in Shasta Co., parolee nabbed again after “extensive” Montgomery Creek burglary

MONTGOMERY CREEK — A parolee was arrested and officials are searching for a second man after a Montgomery Creek residential burglary yesterday morning, Wednesday, Oct. 3.

The burglary happened on the 30000 block of Jackson Ln. and the alleged suspect was apprehended in a heavily wooded area in the nearby Round Mountain, according to Shasta County Sheriff’s officials.

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Deputies assigned to the Burney Station were dispatched to Jackson Ln. north of SR-299 shortly before 9:20 a.m., after receiving a report of an “extensive burglary where numerous firearms, tools and vehicles were stolen,” SCSO officials later explained.

While deputies were responding to the area, they learned from the victim’s boyfriend and another person that they had located one of the stolen ATV’s about two and a half miles from their home, on the side of Highway 299 E, near Bakus Ln.

When deputies arrived they learned the victim’s boyfriend and another person confronted two men who were attempting to load the stolen ATV into a Toyota pick-up.

According to authorities, the two men “claimed ownership of the ATV and became argumentative towards the boyfriend and friend,” said SCSO.

When the victim’s boyfriend threatened to call 911, the two alleged suspects, including one man later identified as 61-year-old, Michael Leon Vandolah, fled the area in the pick-up.

Deputies later determined the Toyota was registered to Vandolah and the victim’s boyfriend and friend later positively identified Vandolah as one of the two people they confronted with the stolen ATV.

The victim’s friends reportedly chased the fleeing men westbound on Hwy. 299 East for about five miles into the Round Mountain area before the passenger in the pickup “jumped from Vandolah’s moving vehicle” and disappeared into the nearby woods. Vandolah continued fleeing and eventually managed to elude the two men chasing him.

Deputies eventually arrived in the area and began searching for the alleged suspects, but were unable to locate either man at that time.

Several hours later, around 3:15 p.m., SHASCOM received a call from a Round Mountain resident who reported finding fresh tire tracks on his property that led up a hill into a heavily wooded area.

Official radio traffic at the time indicated deputies requested additional assistance and resources to the area and several CHP and other law enforcement officials responded to Round Mountain from the Redding area to assist.

Once enough law enforcement officers were in the area and had formulated a tactical plan, numerous officials converged on the wooded area and quickly located the Toyota with Vandolah hiding inside.

Vandolah was apprehended without further incident and deputies discovered he was in possession of methamphetamine, heroin, and property stolen from the original reported burglary.

Deputies conducted a records check and determined Vandolah is on active parole for a possession of a controlled substance conviction. According to the SCSO, Vandolah has an extensive criminal history and has been arrested 25 times in Shasta County.

Based on their investigation, as well as drugs, evidence, and stolen property found in Vandolah’s possession, deputies arrested the parolee and he was later booked into Shasta County Jail in Redding on suspicion of possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance, as well as violation of parole.

SCSO has not yet positively identified the second man seen with Vandolah and have asked for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the man; described as a white male, about 30-40 years old, standing 5’11”, and weighing about 180 pounds. He was also described as having a bald head and tattoos on his back and arms.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who knows the identity or whereabouts of the second alleged suspect is encouraged to immediately contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office day or night at (530) 245-6540. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.