Sonora Police Department

08/17/2026

08/13/2026

Sonora Woman Arrested for Felony Drug Possession and Warrants

On August 10th, 2026, at 3:40 PM, an officer observed 40-year-old Stephanie Marie
Shelman walking on Stockton Street. The Officer recognized Shelman from prior law
enforcement contacts and knew she had warrants for her arrest. The Officer stopped Shelman
and placed her under arrest for her warrants.

After her arrest, a search of Shelman revealed approximately 0.4 grams of
methamphetamine along with narcotic paraphernalia. The Officer conducted a criminal history
check, which showed that Shelman had two or more previous convictions for possession of a
hard drug. Shelman was charged with possession of a controlled substance with two or more
priors and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.

Proposition 36, which was approved by voters in November of 2024, made possession of
hard drugs a treatment-mandated felony if the person had 2 or more prior convictions of
possession. Proposition 36 gave the Courts more opportunities to mandate that people charged
with this crime receive addiction treatment rather than or in conjunction with being incarcerated.
Proposition 36 gives law enforcement and prosecutors more tools to give addicts treatment,
helping their chances of rehabilitation.

It’s important to remember that the individuals mentioned in this report were arrested
based on suspicion of the crimes they’ve been charged with. All such charges are mere
allegations, and all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.

07/29/2026

Regarding the current Evacuation Warning status for residents in the affected wildfire area. An Evacuation Warning means that residents may return to their homes, but should do so with caution and remain prepared to leave again if conditions change. While the immediate threat has lessened, hazards may still exist throughout the affected area.

Firefighters, PG&E and utility crews, and other emergency workers are still working in the burned area. Drivers should be extra careful, slow down, and watch for emergency vehicles, equipment, and people working near the roads.

Southgate Drive has been posted No Parking to provide adequate access for fire suppression resources, utility crews, and other emergency vehicles. Please observe all posted parking restrictions and avoid interfering with ongoing operations.

Cal-Waste has set up a dumpster on School Street for residents who lost power and need to throw away spoiled food. Please use this dumpster only for perishable food waste from the outages. Do not put regular trash, construction debris, burned items, or hazardous materials in it. The dumpsters will be available from 8am to 6pm through Aug. 5, 2026.

Residents are encouraged to remain informed through official emergency notifications and continue to monitor conditions as recovery operations progress.

07/29/2026

*** DOVE FIRE (Update at 8/01/2026 at 6:00 PM) ***

Southgate Drive is NO longer under an Evacuation Warning and is now OPEN!

A huge thank you to our community throughout this fire. Your patience and cooperation helped keep everyone safe.

Residents affected by the fire who need assistance can contact the American Red Cross California Gold Country Regiont 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for support and available resources.

*** Dove Fire *** (ORIGINAL POST)

Deputies are responding to a Vegetation Fire in the area of HWY 108 and Stockton Road. It is reported to be about 10 acres in size with a DANGEROUS rate of spread.

Mandatory EVACUATIONS are taking place for the following areas:

- McKibbon Drive
- Golden Dove Lane
- Crooked Lane

If you live in the area and do not feel safe, please leave, do not wait to be told to evacuate.

Please avoid the area as emergency responders will be in the area working.

Camera Link:

https://cameras.alertcalifornia.org/?pos=37.9905_-120.4084_11&id=Axis-SonoraEast

07/28/2026

On the afternoon of July 26, 2026, when the Dove Fire was first reported to the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) Dispatch Center, dispatchers also received several reports of a man wearing a straw hat running from the area where the fire started. Not long after, photos and videos of the man began circulating on social media.

The individual was later identified as a local transient, 30-year-old Jacob William Hoskins. Hoskins was recognized by members of the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office and the Sonora Police Department in the social media imagery based on numerous prior law enforcement contacts.

A TCSO deputy initially contacted Hoskins; however, at that time there was insufficient probable cause to detain him. As the investigation progressed, a CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Law Enforcement Officer developed additional information, and a TCSO deputy obtained further investigative leads after speaking with one of Hoskins' associates. Using this information, the deputy located Hoskins at Rotary Park in Sonora, where he also found the same clothing, including the distinctive straw hat seen in the photos and videos from the time of the fire.

The deputy was assisted by personnel from the Sonora Police Department, and CAL FIRE law enforcement. Following the collaborative investigation conducted by the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office, the Sonora Police Department, and CAL FIRE law enforcement, Hoskins was arrested by CAL FIRE on suspicion of violating California Penal Code § 452(c) – Recklessly Causing a Fire.

The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office would like to thank our community. The vigilance of community members who promptly reported suspicious activity and captured photos and videos of Hoskins proved invaluable to the investigation and ultimately contributed to his identification and arrest.

The Dove Fire investigation remains under the jurisdiction of CAL FIRE, and any additional criminal charges or investigative updates will be released by CAL FIRE as appropriate.

07/27/2026

*** Court Fire *** (UPDATE: 6:15 PM)

Sanguinetti Loop is now open.

All Evacuation Warnings have now been lifted.

Please be careful when traveling around where this fire happened as fire personnel and utilities are actively working in these areas.

*** Court Fire *** (UPDATE: 5:45 PM)

Sanguinetti Loop is now open.

Camp Justice is still under an evacuation warning as fire personnel are actively still working in the area.

All other areas previously in an evacuation warning are no longer.

Please be careful when traveling around where this fire happened as fire personnel and utilities are actively working in these areas.

(Updated 4:03 PM)

* Highway 108 is open in both direction. *

Forward Progress has been stopped.

All Mandatory Evacuations have been downgraded to Warnings.

Evacuation Warnings
- Tuolumne County Superior Court
- Camp Justice
- Juvenile Hall
- Justice Center Drive
- Sanguinetti Loop
WestAmerica Bank/UPS
Safeway
- Businesses between Sanguinetti Loop, Mono Way, to the Junction Shopping Center
- Junction Shopping Center
- Sonora Ford/Sonora Subaru
- The Peppery
- Area along Mono Way between Sanguinetti and Tuolumne

Road Closures
- Sanguinetti at Mono Way to Sanguinetti Loop

Please be advised of a Vegetation in the area of Highway 108, Justice Center Drive, and the Sanguinetti Loop. Please avoid the area as emergency responders will be in the area working.

We will provide updates as they become available.

If you live in the area and do not feel safe, please leave, do not wait to be told to evacuate.

Alert California Link https://cameras.alertcalifornia.org/?pos=37.9914_-120.3983_13&id=Axis-SonoraWest

*** Court Fire *** (Updated 3:00 PM)

Please be advised of a Vegetation in the area of Highway 108 and Justice Center Drive. Please avoid the area as emergency responders will be in the area working.

We will provide updates as they become available.

Mandatory Evacuations:
- Tuolumne County Superior Court
- Camp Justice

If you live in the area and do not feel safe, please leave, do not wait to be told to evacuate.

Alert California Link https://cameras.alertcalifornia.org/?pos=37.9914_-120.3983_13&id=Axis-SonoraWest

07/26/2026

*** DOVE FIRE (MAJOR Update at 7/29/2026 at 11:00 AM) ***

Areas No Longer Under Evacuation Warning and now OPEN:

• Symons Lane
• West Sunset Street
• Crooked Lane
• South side of Mono Way from Greenley Road to Washington Street
• West Lytton
• Olive Street
• Maple Street
• High Street
• Bulwer Street
• Toby Street
• June Street
• West Church Lane
• Knowles Hill Drive
• McKibbon Drive
• Martha Lane
• Outlook Drive
• Residences and businesses on the north side of Stockton Road east of Nancy’s Hope

Evacuation Warning:

• Golden Dove
• Silver Pine Drive
• Mill Villa Court
• Southgate Drive
• Hill Street
• Sonora Ave
• Fair Street
• Gerrymander Avenue

*** Fire personnel, utility crews, and emergency vehicles will continue working throughout the Evacuation Warning areas and the fire footprint. If you are traveling in or near these locations, please slow down, remain alert, and watch for emergency responders and utility vehicles as they complete their work. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL ROADING SIGNS IN THE DESIGNATED AREAS ***

Your patience and cooperation help keep everyone safe.

Road Information:

• Southgate Drive is OPEN
• Symons Lane at Washington Street is OPEN
• West Sunset Street at High Street is OPEN
• Stockton Road is open to Nancy’s Hope (closed from HWY 108 to Nancy’s Hope)

Officers will be patrolling the areas under evacuation throughout the day as Fire personnel continue to work.

Evacuation Center:
Tuolumne CRC is the evacuation center. For those who are evacuated, you may keep your small animals (dogs, cats).
18241 Bay Ave, Tuolumne, CA 95379

*** Dove Fire *** (ORIGINAL POST)

Officers are responding to a Vegetation Fire in the area of HWY 108 and Stockton Road. It is reported to be about 10 acres in size with a DANGEROUS rate of spread.

Mandatory EVACUATIONS are taking place for the following areas:

- McKibbon Drive
- Golden Dove Lane
- Crooked Lane

If you live in the area and do not feel safe, please leave, do not wait to be told to evacuate.

Please avoid the area as emergency responders will be in the area working.

Camera Link:

https://cameras.alertcalifornia.org/?pos=37.9905_-120.4084_11&id=Axis-SonoraEast

*** DOVE FIRE (Update at 8/01/2026 at 6:00 PM) ***

Southgate Drive is NO longer under an Evacuation Warning and is now OPEN!

A huge thank you to our community throughout this fire. Your patience and cooperation helped keep everyone safe.

Residents affected by the fire who need assistance can contact the American Red Cross California Gold Country Regiont 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for support and available resources.

*** Dove Fire *** (ORIGINAL POST)

Deputies are responding to a Vegetation Fire in the area of HWY 108 and Stockton Road. It is reported to be about 10 acres in size with a DANGEROUS rate of spread.

Mandatory EVACUATIONS are taking place for the following areas:

- McKibbon Drive
- Golden Dove Lane
- Crooked Lane

If you live in the area and do not feel safe, please leave, do not wait to be told to evacuate.

Please avoid the area as emergency responders will be in the area working.

Camera Link:

https://cameras.alertcalifornia.org/?pos=37.9905_-120.4084_11&id=Axis-SonoraEast

07/24/2026

Sonora Man Arrested for Felony Animal Cruelty

On July 20, 2026, at 6:52 p.m, officers were dispatched to Pesce Way in Sonora for a deceased dog found in a dumpster. Upon responding to the scene, officers recovered the animal and noted signs of apparent physical trauma.

Officers soon learned that the dog had been left in the care of 33-year-old Lukas William Clark of Sonora, who was residing in the owner’s residence on Pesce Way while the owner was away for extended medical care.

Evidence and statements obtained during the investigation indicated that the animal was allegedly killed sometime during the early morning hours of July 19, 2026, and its body was subsequently discarded in the dumpster at approximately 3:00 a.m. that same morning.

Earlier today, an officer with the Sonora Police Department located Clark in the 300 block of West Jackson Street. Clark was questioned and taken into custody without incident. Clark was transported and booked into the Tuolumne County Jail on suspicion of felony cruelty to an animal causing death.

This is still an ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the Sonora Police Department at 209-532-8141.

It’s important to remember that the individuals mentioned in this report were arrested based on suspicion of the crimes they’ve been charged with. All such charges are mere allegations, and all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.

07/20/2026

The application period for this recruitment has closed.

07/13/2026

The Sonora Police Department will be temporarily contracting with the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office dispatch. All non emergency calls to the Sonora Police Department will go to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sonora Police Departments lobby may vary in open hours, depending on staffing. We apologize for any inconvenience. For any questions regarding this situation, contact the non emergency line.