Placer County Fugitive Captured After 15 Years On The Run

AUBURN (CBS13) – A fugitive from Placer County has been captured after 15 years on the run, according to officials.

On Thursday, June 14, Placer County deputies arrested 46-year-old Lawrence Dewald in
Mendocino County.

Dewald has been on the run since September of 1996 when he was on trial for possession of marijuana with intent to sell and a weapons charge.

Dewald, who was out on bail during the trial, failed to return from a lunch break and fled. The judge issued a warrant for his arrest. The trial continued in his absence and he was convicted of his third strike under California's Three Strikes Law
After searching for 15 years, the Placer County District Attorney's office and Sheriff's Department finally caught up with Dewald with help from the FBI and the Mendocino County Sheriff's office.

Dewald was also arrested for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. He was transferred to the Placer County Jail where he is being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 27.