On 08/17/15 at about 3:30 PM, the Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Detail (EOD) was called to assist patrol deputies with a suspicious package discovered near the Bank of America off Park Drive in El Dorado Hills. The item was a clear 5 gallon plastic container containing a yellowish liquid with grey streaks, capped by a rubber glove that was taped over the top. There looked to be smoke or some kind of chemical reaction going on inside of the container and that the container was melting or previously burnt. Vehicle traffic in the area was limited to emergency vehicles only and the bank and nearby businesses were asked to evacuate as a precaution. The Fire Department was staged nearby. A male subject was reportedly seen running from the location.

EOD used their robot to inspect the item. It looked like more of a chemical hazard than an explosive device. The robot moved the container to a safer location and asked Environmental Management to respond.

El Dorado County Environmental Management arrived and conducted tests. The liquid was deemed not to be hazardous. A male was temporarily detained by deputies but was released. By almost 7:00 PM, the area was deemed safe.

Lt. Tom Murdoch

On 8/14/15 at about 11:45 PM, deputies were advised of a grass fire along Highway 50 near Still Meadows Road in Camino. The caller reported seeing a male subject just off the highway, standing inside the fire.

On the deputy’s arrival, Cal Fire had extinguished the fire and was conducting mop-up operations. Cal Fire personnel advised they located an adult male near the burned area. The deputy contacted 30 year-old Justin Tullos, a transient, sitting inside the burned area on the hillside.

Tullos admitted to starting the fire and was arrested for arson. He also had a dagger concealed on his person and was charged with possession of a deadly weapon. He is in custody at the El Dorado County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Lt. Tom Murdoch

Booking photo of Justin Tullos

This past Saturday, officers from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the Probation Office, were invited to participate in the Detective Michael Davis Jr., Memorial Flag Football Tournament, hosted by the Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy.  This has been an annual event for the past five years.  However, with the senseless killing this past October of Placer County Detective Davis and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Oliver, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office renamed this event.

El Dorado County Law Enforcement Officers held their own in the four team tournament.  They came from behind to almost win against the first Placer County team, falling behind in the last play of the game.  They got it together in their second game, with a hurry up offense and a solid defense winning against the second Placer County team.  Roseville Police Department’s offense was organized and difficult to read and was able to squeak out a win by only two points.  El Dorado County represented very well considering they only had one practice and a very limited playbook.  Needless to say, El Dorado County Law Enforcement Officers appreciated the opportunity to participate in such a worthy cause.  Wait until next year….