Amador County – Jackson Police investigated a petty theft that turned into violent felony battery charges, and also were looking into suspected narcotics involvement after a man reportedly died in a car at the Rancheria Casino.

Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison reported to the Jackson City Council on Monday that May was relatively normal in call volume with 613 service calls for the month, but June got off to a violent start.

On June 1, Jackson Police arrested a man near the Bottle Shop on Main Street for a reported petty theft which quickly turned into multiple felonies.

Gerald Roesner, 23, of Fresno was booked into the Amador County Jail on June 1st on three felony charges, of second degree burglary, battery causing great bodily injury, and battery on a custodial officer.

Morrison said Roesner was reportedly stealing small bottles of liquor when a “good Samaritan” tried to stop him from leaving. “That good Samaritan was then rather severely beaten,” sustaining a “dislocated knee” and suffering a large gash on his head, which officers saw as they arrived at the scene.

Morrison said Roesner was cooperative at first, but at the jail, “he became violent again and injured two jail personnel.”

Morrison said “the simple petty theft turned into burglary and possibly strong-armed robbery,” and “he’s going to be in jail for quite some time.” He said they would try to arrange transporting him back to Fresno.

Mayor Connie Gonsalves asked about the last time the Bottle Shop was in the news. That was when a worker there was charged with drug sales.

Morrison said the case is being appealed to the Alcoholic Beverage Control, and has been “dragging out.” He said it’s the longest such case he has seen.

Morrison said JPD and the Amador County Sheriff’s Office were jointly investigating a “suspicious death” which occurred last week. He said several people were traveling to the Jackson Rancheria Casino to gamble money won at a Manteca casino. He said one man told the friend that he had been 86’d from the Jackson Rancheria and was afraid he would be kicked out, or arrested. The friend went to the parking garage to wait in the car, and then died, Morrison said. The car’s driver thought his friend was asleep, and then his body slumped onto him while driving to the Rancheria gas station. He tried to go to the Jackson Police office, but it was closed, so he drove to Sutter Amador Hospital.

“Our personnel attended the autopsy,” Morrison said, adding that “there is a suspicion that narcotics were involved.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.