A 37-year-old Jackson man was arrested Tuesday afternoon, accused of carjackings and robberies at area motels and a church center.
Jackson police officers responded about 1 p.m. Tuesday to the Best Western motel regarding a disturbance involving Ryan Bran Knowlesbrowder (pictured). Officers subsequently reported that Knowlesbrowder had left the area and was last seen driving a stolen purple sedan.
About 1:25 p.m., Amador County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the Sundance Motel, 12484 Depot Road in Martell regarding a report that a man matching Knowlesbrowder's description unlawfully entered several rooms, two of which were occupied, and attempted to obtain keys to vehicles. He reportedly fought with one person over vehicle keys, then left on foot, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.
As deputies were interviewing victims at the motel, they received a report that a man matching Knowlesbrowder's description had just stolen a vehicle from a couple at the Amador Catholic Center at 11361 Prospect Drive in Martell.
When deputies arrived at the center, they located the stolen purple sedan.
The victims at the Catholic Center reported that the suspect had entered the center, demanded keys to a vehicle and money. One victim gave the suspect the keys to her Honda Civic, and another victim gave him an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect pushed one victim to the ground and damaged the telephone line before leaving in the vehicle.
The suspect then drove the vehicle through a locked gate toward the SierraPine plant, officials said.
The California Highway Patrol and Jackson Police Department assisted the Sheriff's Office in searching the surrounding area for the suspect and stolen vehicle.
About 2:30 p.m., the Sheriff's Office received information that the suspect might be in an employee area at the SierraPIne plant at 11300 Ridge Road. Deputies responded and found Knowlesbrowder in an employee bathroom, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
The stolen Honda Civic was located in a wooded area west of SierraPine. Officials said it had sustained significant damage.
Knowlesbrowder was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, robbery, attempted carjacking, attempted robbery, burglary , damaging a telephone line to prevent reporting an emergency and vandalism. He is being held in Amador County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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