Monday, Oct. 01, 2007

Guns and drugs found, 3 arrested after burglary

Calaveras County sheriff's investigators arrested three people last week in connection with an early August burglary of about $30,000 in tools, jewelry, firearms and other items, officials said.

During the investigation, which began Sept. 11, authorities targeted Ronald Applegate of San Andreas. They recovered most of the stolen property from the burglary in a storage con-tainer leased by Applegate in Angels Camp, according to Calaveras sheriff's narcotics investigator Tyler Houston.

Authorities said they seized from Applegate, whose age was not available, three fully automatic firearms. Investigators also recovered blasting caps, illegal ammunition, an improvised explosive containing a form of cyanide powder, methamphetamine and paraphernalia associated with meth use, officials reported.

Applegate is being held at the Calaveras County Jail on $270,000 bail in connection with, among other charges, burglary and possessing the automatic firearms, ammunition and drugs.

Detectives took Tina and Jim Bertrand into custody Tuesday in connection with the burglary; both were found in possession of meth and meth paraphernalia, authorities reported. Their ages were not available. Tina Bertrand was released with a ci-tation. Jim Bertrand's bail is $20,000.

Bee staff writer Emilie Raguso can be reached at eraguso@modbee.com or 578-2235.