$800,000 of Stolen Property Recovered and Arrests Made in Iowa Hill
(L to R): Floyd Rutherford, David Kanzler, Kevin Silva
Five suspects were arrested in Placer County on March 15th on multiple charges related to stolen vehicles and a drug lab. Events started to unfold in Sacramento on March 12th when a big rig truck, which was towing a bulldozer on a flatbed, was stolen. The truck and bulldozer are valued at about $600,000.
On March 13th, a CHP officer, along with a Placer County Sheriff’s Deputy who is part of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATTF), were called to investigate the incident and located the truck on a Foresthill property while conducting a search. During that search, the bulldozer was not found.
After getting a tip, a Foresthill deputy, along with the RATTF detective, went to a house on Iowa Hill Road where they found stolen trailers.
The investigation continued, which led detectives to a house a few miles from the property where they found five people. Evidence of a drug lab, along with assault weapons were found on the property. The resident of the property, Floyd Rutherford, 42 is a convicted felon who is not allowed to be in possession of a firearm.
Along with Rutherford, the individuals arrested include David Graham Kanzler, 36 and Kevin Alan Silva, 54. The suspects are charged with conspiracy, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and charges associated with the drug lab. The names of the other two individuals have not been released, and they may not face charges for their involvement.
After obtaining a search warrant, detectives found the stolen bulldozer, along with several other stolen vehicles, generators and a welder. More than 20 guns were also recovered including three assault weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition. 30 pounds of processed marijuana was also discovered. A butane oil honey lab on the property was dismantled.
