Couple Arrested in Angels Camp

   According to Angels Camp Police, on May 14, 2013 at approximately 8:50 AM, officers were
advised by a Save Mart
employee that a male described as in his 40's with a "crew-cut" haircut, a tan shirt and white pants attempted to pass a counterfeit $20 bill in the store.

  The employee advised that the male was last seen walking south on S. Main Street.  An officer responded to the area and located a male walking in the area that matched the description provided, and that subject was detained.

   Further investigation revealed that the male, identified as William T. Lewis, had a felony out-of-county arrest warrant and that he is on "Post-Release Community Supervision" from another county.

    Lewis a 49-year -old Reno, Nevada resident, was in possession of three additional counterfeit $20 bills.

   Further investigation revealed that he passed one counterfeit $20 bill at Rite-Aide, and attempted to pass two additional counterfeit bills at Save Mart and Altaville Market.

   The investigation led to the Jumping Frog Motel where Lewis was staying with his wie, Lori M. Dahl, a 48-year-old Reno, Nevada resident.

   While at the motel the officer located a vehicle that Dahl and Lewis were associated with, and that vehicle was determined to be reported stolen out of Reno, Nevada.

   Dahl had rented the room in her name, and she signed a search warrant waiver for the room.  A search of the room and the car revealed numerous items consistent with the counterfeiting of US currency and identity theft.

   Additionally, hypodermic syringes and a methamphetamine smoking pipe were found.  Dahl was also arrested and booked on numerous alleged felony charges.

    Additional police department staff had to be called in to process the scene and collect the evidence associated with this case.

   Staff worked throughout the day to collect, catalog and store the associated evidence.  Calaveras County Sheriff's Deputies also assisted with processing the scene.

   Some of the evidence items recovered indicate that this couple are involved in the international trade of identity theft related information.

   Lewis was booked on charges related to alleged conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of stolen property, forgery, possessing forged currency and identity theft.

   On 5-15-13 agents from the US Secret Service arrived at the police department to collect some of the evidence items recovered.

   The items they collected are computer and identity theft related items, and their computer forensics lab will examine the computer related equipment for possible further evicence that is related to this case.
  
    This case will be reviewed for a possible federal indictment of both Dahl and Lewis.

    Evidence items recovered at the scene indicate that this couple has been making purchases throughout northern California, some with cash and some with credit cards, both of which may have been forged.

   Local merchants are encouraged to be very vigilant with transactions, and to report any suspicious or criminal behavior.