September 27, 2016 – At approximately 10:00 AM this morning, a red Toyota Corolla was being driven extremely recklessly on SR-20, approximately 20 miles east of Nevada City. In addition to passing vehicles over double-yellow lines and on the right shoulder, the driver ignored traffic flaggers at a CalTrans project, drove recklessly through the project, and nearly ran over a flagger while narrowly missing a collision with a CalTrans vehicle. Multiple CHP units were on patrol in the area on various projects. The driver continued recklessly past CHP units as he had turned onto Washington Rd.
Prior to CHP personnel catching-up to the vehicle, the driver abandoned the red sedan near the town of Washington and stole a white Dodge Durango SUV. As he drove through town, multiple victims report that he pointed a silver handgun directly at them before firing the handgun multiple times into the air.
The suspect continued onto Maybert Rd., drove through/destroyed two locked gates at a private parcel, and caused a collision with the Dodge. He abandoned the Dodge, burglarized a garage on the property and stole an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). He then fled further westbound on Maybert Rd. A short distance away he caused another collision in the ATV and it became high-centered. He then fled on foot into the woods.
CHP personnel responded to the scene with K-9 officers and multiple aircraft. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the area, along with personnel from California Department of Fish & Wildlife. An extensive search for the suspect was conducted for approximately 6 hours but he has not been located.
The CHP is handling this investigation. Caldwell is a person of interest in this case, and is wanted for questioning. He should be considered possibly armed and dangerous. The public is cautioned not to contact him but to call 911 immediately if his whereabouts are known. He is described as a white male adult, possibly with a darker complexion, approximately 6 feet tall and 290 lbs. He has short-cut dark hair, he is clean-shaven, and is noticeably walleyed/cross-eyed in his right eye. He was last seen wearing light blue pants and a white T-shirt.
Any additional victims or witnesses to this case are urged to contact the CHP Grass Valley Area office at (530) 477-4900 during business hours, or after-hours at (916) 861-1300.