On November 19, 2015 at approximately 11:27 AM, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a home invasion robbery in the 4000 block of Edgewater Drive in Greenwood.

It was determined that multiple victims were bound with zip-ties and duct-tape at gunpoint while two armed suspects robbed the residence. A large quantity of processed marijuana and other miscellaneous property was taken in the robbery.

The two suspects have been positively identified as 21 year-old Jeremy Ross and 21 year-old Deshawn Stone. Ross and Stone fled the area in a white or silver smaller SUV and are considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

Felony warrants have been issued for both Ross and Stone. Any information on their whereabouts should be forwarded to local law enforcement immediately. This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released when it becomes available. Any additional details or information can be forwarded to Detective Payne with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department at (530) 642-4710 or payneb@edso.org.

Jeremy Ross

Deshawn Stone

On 11/13/15 at about 6:00 PM, sheriff’s deputies responded to a bank robbery that just occurred at the El Dorado Savings Bank on Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs. The suspect reportedly fled on foot, last seen running east on Pleasant Valley Road.

The robbery took place at closing time when employees were locking the doors. The suspect, described as a white male adult with his face covered, entered the bank, walked up to a teller demanding money stating he had a gun. After a brief argument, the robber went behind the counter, took money from one of the teller stations and fled. No one was hurt in the robbery and no gun was seen.

The suspect was described as a white male adult, about 25 to 28 years old, between 5’ 8” and 6’ tall, with a thin build. He had light brown/blonde curly hair wearing a grey or blue knitted hat and scarf, a dark colored heavy winter jacket with white piping around the shoulders and waist area, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes with white writing on the sides. The male had a mole on his right cheek under his right eye and had difficulty pronouncing the “s” sound when speaking.

Deputies and CHP helicopter H20 canvased the area and surrounding businesses but the suspect was not located. Anyone with information regarding this crime, please contact the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Detective Bureau at (530) 621-4703.

Lt. Tom Murdoch

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has received information from the California Department of Justice regarding “pension poaching” – specifically related to military veterans. These incidents target the financial assistance offered through the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Program designed to assist veterans over 65 years of age. Individuals posing as insurance agents, unpaid volunteers or Veterans Affairs representatives offer to help senior veterans apply for VA pension benefits. The Sheriff’s Office recommends that all veterans remain cognizant that the VA offers a number of resources to assist them with questions or concerns regarding their benefits.

What to watch out for: Anyone who asks you to pay money or move assets in connection with applying for a VA pension benefit is likely not a VA-accredited representative. He or she may be an insurance agent or representative who receives a sales commission for selling you an annuity or irrevocable trust.

Moving assets into an annuity or irrevocable trust could restrict your access to these funds and may have significant unintended tax or legal consequences that outweigh any financial benefit gained from receiving VA pension benefits.

If you receive VA pension benefits based on false financial need, you could be required to repay any benefits received back to the government.

If you are approached by someone offering to help you apply for VA pension benefits and you would incur any costs or fees in connection with the service being offered, contact your local VA to determine whether this assistance is reputable. Be wary of sharing personal information over the phone. VA representatives will tell you what you need to know and the advice is free. Locally, you can contact:

Placerville Veterans Affairs Main Office
130 Placerville Dr. Suite #B
Placerville, CA 95667

For West Slope Appointments 530-621-5892
East Slope Appointments 530-573-7955 Ext. 5892
https://www.edcgov.us/Vetrerans

To read the full article, see http://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-issues-consumer-alert-veteran-%E2%80%9Cpension-poaching

Here is more useful information:
A directory of VA centers is available at http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter.asp

You can also file a complaint with the California Department of Justice by visiting http://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company.

A searchable list of VA-accredited representatives is available at http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp or call 1-800-827-1000.

For more information about VA Aid and Attendance pension benefits, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension.

Sgt. Todd Hammitt