Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Sonora PD Press release re: 3 members Golden State Cab arrested

23 June 2013, at approx. 10:00 pm, a member of Golden State Cab made threats to harm the owner of a competing cab company, while they were inside a restaurant. The owner of the other cab company has been assaulted by this individual in the past and feared for his safety when the threat was made.
The member of Golden State Cab who made the threats was identified as Ronald Paul, 46 of Sonora and is the ex-business partner with the other cab company owner. Paul was located a short time later and taken into custody without incident. Paul was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for felony criminal threats.


At approx. 11:00 pm, the owner of Golden State Cab, Michael Schaff, 32 of Sonora, went to the restaurant where the threats had been made and caused a disturbance. Schaff accused the management of the restaurant of having Paul arrested. Schaff then left the restaurant in one of his cabs, after causing a disturbance and disturbing the customers inside the restaurant.
At approx. 11:15 pm, the Officer handling the call of the disturbance at restaurant saw a Golden State Cab in the area. Thinking it might be Schaff, the Officer stopped the cab and contacted the driver.
The cab was being operated by Lawrence Rodriquez, 50 of Sonora and not Schaff. While speaking with Rodriquez it was determined that Rodriquez was intoxicated. Rodriquez was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for driving under the influence.
24 June 13, at approx. 1:35 am, Schaff arrived at the Police Department to pick up a release form for the cab which Rodriquez had been driving when he was arrested for DUI. Schaff was taken into custody for causing the disturbance at the restaurant. Schaff was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for disturbing the peace.