Sonora Police Department

10/12/2026

On Friday, October 9, 2026, shortly after 9:00 pm, officers responded to a report that an individual entered the residence and injured a victim with a sharp object.

Officers interviewed the victim and witnesses and began their investigation using the description provided by the victim. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the initial response.

As the investigation progressed, officers obtained new information and reassessed the initial identification of a detained individual. We continue to follow leads and are seeking to identify and locate a person with relevant information.

The investigation remains active, and the individual sought has not been located. To protect the investigation and the privacy of those involved, no further details are being released at this time.
Investigators currently have no information indicating a threat to the general public and believe this was an isolated incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Sonora Police Department at 209-532-8141.

Community assistance can help advance the investigation.

We will provide further updates as appropriate.

10/06/2026

Join us at Aronos Club (37 Elkin Street) for a coffee with a cop

Wednesday. October 7, 2026
10:00 a.m-12:00p.m

It’s a great opportunity to meet your local Sonora Police Department officers and get any question answered.

10/01/2026

During October, Sonora Police Department staff are wearing pink to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month as part of our October Pink campaign.

Our goal is to raise awareness for early detection, which gives people the best chance for successful treatment and recovery. By wearing pink, we hope to encourage everyone in our community to talk about breast health and make regular screenings, self-exams, and yearly check-ups a priority.

Join us in raising awareness and supporting everyone affected by breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

09/29/2026

Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of CHP Officer Brian Liles.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Officer Liles....Rest easy, brother.

It is with profound sadness that the California Highway Patrol announces the line-of-duty death of Officer Brian Liles of the Visalia Area.

On September 28, 2026, at approximately 5:11 p.m., CHP Motorcycle Officer Liles was involved in an on-duty traffic crash on State Route 99, just north of State Route 190 in Tipton. He sustained critical injuries and, despite lifesaving efforts, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Officer Liles, 44, served the people of California for more than 16 years. After graduating from the CHP Academy in 2010, he was assigned to the San Jose Area and later served in the Hayward and Fresno Areas before transferring to the Visalia Area in 2019.

Officer Liles is survived by his wife, two children, his parents, and two sisters.

The CHP extends its deepest condolences to Officer Liles’ family, friends, loved ones, and all who served alongside him. His dedication to public service and commitment to protecting the people of California will not be forgotten.

09/29/2026

The City of Sonora is looking for experienced public safety dispatchers. Lateral candidates will start at the Dispatcher II level and earn between $25.54 and $32.60 per hour. Depending on experience, lateral candidates could also receive a hiring incentive of up to $23,000.

To learn more and apply, visit www.sonoraca.com and click the "Employment" section, or call 209-588-8946.

09/29/2026

The City of Sonora is hiring for the position of Police Dispatcher/Records Specialist I!
To learn more and apply, visit www.sonoraca.com and click the "Employment" section, or call 209-588-8946 for more information.

09/25/2026

On Saturday, the Sonora Police Department, in partnership with the Sonora Area California Highway Patrol, will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint in the City of Sonora.
Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk. DUI checkpoints are a vital tool in removing impaired drivers from the road, ensuring every member of our community makes it home safely

09/22/2026

On September 18, 2026, just after 8:00 p.m., officers with the Sonora Police Department responded to the Heritage Inn for a non-injury vehicle accident. While officers were assisting the involved parties, drug paraphernalia was located in plain view in David Castillo’s vehicle. Castillo had an active drug-related warrant from Amador County. Officers searched Castillo and inventoried his vehicle, locating a machete concealed by the driver’s seat along with more methamphetamine, totaling 6.5 grams in Castillo’s possession.

A criminal history check revealed that Castillo had 2 or more prior convictions of possession of a controlled substance. These prior convictions make possessing narcotics a felony under Proposition 36.

Castillo was arrested and booked at the Tuolumne County Jail for Felony possession of a controlled substance with two or more priors, Felony possession of a controlled substance, Felony possession of a dirk or dagger, misdemeanor possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia, and his warrant.

It is important to remember that the individuals mentioned in this report were arrested based upon suspicion of the crimes with which they have been charged. All such charges are mere allegations, and all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.

09/22/2026

The City of Sonora will host the annual Sonora High School Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 25, 2026. This event will increase foot traffic to the downtown corridor.

The parade will start at 2:45 pm and is expected to conclude by 3:30 pm. Therefore, motorists should expect temporary traffic diversions during that time.

The parade route will run southbound on North Washington Street between Snell Street and Stockton Street, then continue northbound on Green Street and Snell Street. Road closures will include all side streets between Green Street and Stewart Street. Traffic control will also impact School Street and Wyckoff Street. School Street will be closed at 1:30 pm to allow for parade staging and preparation.

Due to the impact on vehicle and pedestrian traffic during this event, we ask for your patience and that you use extreme caution when traveling in this area.

If you have any questions, call the Sonora Police Department at 532-8141.

GO CATS!

09/20/2026

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Sonora Police
Department encourages all parents and caregivers to make sure their children are riding safely by using the correct car seats, booster seats and properly fitted seat belts. This annual campaign takes place from September 21-27 and aims to raise awareness about the importance of car seat safety and proper installation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused. Properly installed car seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury crashes by 71% for infants under a year old and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 through 4.

Current California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Once a child reaches these milestones, all children under the age of 8 years old are still required to be secured in a car seat or booster seat, in the back seat. Children 8 and older, or who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt.

As of January 1, 2027, AB 435 requires children ages 8 to 16 years old to pass all steps of the “Five-Step Test”` before they can safely use a seat belt without a booster seat. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep children in the
proper rear or forward-facing seat as long as possible and use the Five-Step Test as a guide, before it becomes law in 2027, to determine if their child is big enough to safely use a seat belt without a booster seat.

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.