Amador County – An Ione man and an Angels Camp woman were arrested Monday for charges including possession of a controlled substance, providing false identification and resisting arrest after the man was chased through the parking lot at Jackson Rancheria casino.
At approximately 4 am that morning, Jason Lee Rydel, 33, was spotted by a Sheriff’s Deputy while unsuccessfully attempting to break into a locked Ford Explorer in the lower parking lot of the casino complex. The deputy was driving through the parking lot on a routine check. Rydel claimed the vehicle belonged to his girlfriend and he was attempting to break in because he did not have the keys or the door code. The registration information he provided did not match the name of the person he claimed was his girlfriend.
Rydel then provided the officer with what was supposedly his own name and date of birth, but when no record was located based on that information, Rydel fled the scene on foot.
According to a release from Undersheriff James Wegner: “The subject ran through the parking area, towards New York Ranch Road, then back towards the casino. As the subject fled, the deputy observed him throw an object. The deputy subsequently caught the subject, who was taken into custody without further incident.”
Upon further inspection of the area where Rydel had thrown something, the deputy discovered “a clear plastic baggy containing methamphetamine.”
Rydel’s true identity was subsequently revealed. He was “arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, providing false identification to a peace officer, and obstructing/resisting a peace officer,” said Wegner.
Jackson Rancheria Security officers advised the deputies that during the incident a woman subject had entered the Ford Explorer and moved objects from that vehicle into a nearby Honda Accord.
“Deputies contacted the female subject who was identified as Michele Elaine Smith, 29, of Angels Camp. They also contacted a female seated within the Honda Accord. The female, a 37 year old from San Andreas, was on active CDC parole,” said Wegner.
A subsequent search of the Honda Accord resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia that belonged to Smith. A search of the Ford Explorer found unlawfully possessed narcotic prescription medications.
Smith was arrested and charged with possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The arresting deputy received assistance from additional Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies, Officers from the Jackson and Sutter Creek Police Department, and Jackson Rancheria Casino Security officers.
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