The State : Cache of Gold, Jewels Found

Police in San Pablo found about $500,000 worth of diamonds, gold bars and gold coins in raids at a suspected methamphetamine dealer’s auto junkyard and two homes. Arrested for investigation of various drug and weapons charges were Julius Siewert, 49, and his wife, Shirley, 40, who had the hoard stashed in oil cans, cardboard boxes and lunch bags, officers said. The items represented profits they made during the last 10 years from distributing methamphetamines to Bay Area drug dealers, police said. “I guess you can call it their retirement fund,� Police Chief Dave Sylstra said. “The stuff was in the house (and) in the shed. This is what they bought. There were no fancy cars. The house was basically a dump.� Officers also reported recovering eight pounds of methamphetamines with an estimated street value of $350,000, cash totaling $300,000, ammunition and eight machine guns. They also found a hand grenade and a bomb fashioned from dynamite and a timer, Sylstra said.