[Cmdr. Kim Nida, Placerville Police Department]
Placerville, CA – Jefford fails to yield to Placerville Police Officer while driving stolen vehicle after kidnapping ex-girlfriend.
On September 5th, 2017 at 12:28 p.m., Placerville Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a kidnapping and vehicle theft that occurred at 455 Placerville Drive. Officers contacted the adult female victim at that location. The victim advised the officers that her mother’s vehicle, a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle, was stolen and she had been kidnapped by a Justin Jefford, 21 year old male from Placerville about a half hour earlier.
The suspect, who is the ex-boyfriend of the victim, entered the driver’s seat of the vehicle while the victim was in the passenger seat. He drove her to the Shingle Springs area against her will refusing to let her out of the vehicle. Once Jefford stopped and got out of the vehicle, the victim fled the vehicle, hiding from the suspect and ran to safety. The victim was able to call law enforcement and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office located her.
Later in the afternoon around, 4:08 p.m., a Placerville Police Officer observed a vehicle matching the
description of the stolen Volkswagen Beetle on Placerville Drive and Pierroz Road. When the officer was behind the vehicle, the driver immediately failed to yield to the officer’s overhead lights and siren. The driver of the vehicle, who was confirmed to be Justin Jefford, continued to drive on Placerville Drive to Green Valley Road. Jefford continued to flee westbound on Green Valley Road. The officer continued to pursue the vehicle and lost sight around a corner just west of Green Stone Road. The pursuit ended when Jefford crossed into the opposing lane and crashed into on oncoming vehicle.
The driver of the other vehicle and Jefford sustained major injuries and were transported to Sacramento area hospitals.
Jefford was arrested for Penal Code Section 207, Kidnapping, Vehicle Code Section 10851- Stolen Vehicle, Vehicle Code Section 2800.2- Felony Evading a Police Officer, and Penal Code Section 1170 (H)(5) – Mandatory Release, Violation of Probation . Jefford’s prior criminal conviction sentenced him to prison, however due to realignment, AB 109, he was released and placed on probation in El Dorado County.
Jefford’s is currently being treated for his injuries and will be booked into jail upon release from the hospital.
