Arrests Made in Fire Evacuation Area During Security Patrol
COPPEROPOLIS- On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at approximately 2:45 AM, deputies from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, while patrolling the fire evacuation area near Kiva Place and Little John Road in Copperopolis, conducted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle.
Upon contacting the vehicle occupants, two brothers from Stockton, CA, Joseph Nobriga (age 38) and Mark Nobriga (Age 31), the deputies were given suspicious accounts of their presence in the disaster area. Further investigation revealed that the driver, Joseph Nobriga, had two outstanding felony warrants from San Joaquin County, one of which was for vehicle theft and possession of stolen property. A search of the vehicle uncovered stolen mail from residential homes in Copperopolis, methamphetamine, and burglary tools. Mark Nobriga, the passenger, was found to be on probation out of San Joaquin County.
Both individuals were taken into custody without incident. Joseph Nobriga faces additional charges of driving on a suspended license, conspiracy to commit a crime, entering a disaster area, possession of a controlled substance, and mail theft. Mark Nobriga was booked on charges of probation violation, conspiracy to commit a crime, entering a disaster area, possession of burglary tools, and mail theft. The details surrounding the new theft are still under investigation.
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office would like to emphasize that disaster areas are under constant patrol, and a zero-tolerance approach will be taken for those entering closed areas. Enforcement actions will be taken against those who seek to exploit these situations. We are continuing to work closely with Calaveras OES and local fire agencies on the ongoing wildfire efforts. Although the roads are reopening and residents are returning to their homes, law enforcement will continue to maintain extra security patrols and an increased presence.
We extend our appreciation to the agencies that have provided a total of 102 law enforcement officers during this time, including the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office, Angels Camp Police Department, Calaveras County Probation, Department of Alcohol Beverage Control, El Dorado County Probation, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Roseville Police Department, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Stockton Police Department, Tracy Police Department, and Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office.
