Online jewelry store owner Roger Kuo had an effective but impracticable business model: He would take customers’ jewelry, and then just not give them anything in return, according to prosecutors.

Kuo, 44, San Francisco, was arrested Friday for the allegedly scamming several customers through websites thefinestwatches.com and thefinestjewelry.com. The store and website have a very mixed reputation on Yelp.com. Some customers offer high praise for the service they have gotten from the store and site, while others complain of terrible service, such as this review:

“do not use this business!!! my wife and i had them sell three watches on consignment.  the contract expired and they have not paid us our money, or given our watches back to us.  the most despicable thing is that roger kuo, a representative of the finest watches is ignoring us.  i am taking legal action. beware!!!” Kuo himself did post a response to this comment from 2010, but after nearly 2 years.

In the two cases this arrest as based on, he supposedly took watches as trade-ins for new ones, but never delivered the products. In a third case. he offered to sell a $35,000 diamond ring on consignment, but didn’t pay the customer when the ring was sold.

Kuo was booked on suspicion of felony grand theft, and held in lieu of $125,000 bail. Anyone with further information or complaints is encouraged to call the District Attorney’s office at 415-551-9558.

Read more:

Mercury News: Man arrested, charged with internet-based luxury watch scam

BAKERSFIELD — A gunmen and his female sidekick were arrested on Friday afternoon for robbing a southwest Bakersfield drug store.

Orion Johnson, 47, and an unidentified female were booked into the Kern County Jail. Johnson is being charged with robbery, drugs and hit and run, while the female is being held on unrelated warrant charges.

According to Bakersfield Police police spokeswoman Michaela Sims, officers were dispatched to a call at a Rite Aid located at 8000 White Lane regarding an assault with a firearm, at about 2 p.m. on Jan 24.

“When officers arrived they were told that a male suspect approached a store employee armed with a firearm that was wrapped in a towel,” Sims said. “The suspect then demanded money from the employee and fled the store.”

During their investigation, police received a report of a hit and run traffic collision that had just occurred in the parking lot of the same Rite Aid, and according to witnesses the vehicle matched the description of the getaway vehicle used by Johnson. Around 15 minutes later, a Bakersfield police officer located a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence located in the 6000 block of Chicory Drive.

“The officer then observed Johnson  and the female who matched the description of the passenger in the hit and run., exiting the home, ” Sims said. ”But they retreated back inside.” Officers eventually arrested  Johnson as he exited the backyard, while the female was detained to the front of the home. A search of the residence revealed the loss taken in the robbery and a firearm, which was determined to be a replica pellet gun.

The store employee was not injured during the robbery.

Read more:

KERO: Rite Aid store robbery ends with 2 arrested

BORON — A wanted felon from Los Angeles County was arrested on Friday after deputies discovered weapons inside a home in the middle of the Mojave desert.

James Nunez was booked into the Kern County Sheriffs Mojave Jail on charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, being in possession of ammunition and being in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also booked on an outstanding felony arrest warrant from Los Angeles County.

Ray Pruitt, Public Information Officer from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies from the Boron Substation conducted a narcotics investigation of home located in the 26800 block of Cote Street in Boron on Jan 22. ”Deputies said that during their investigation it was discovered that the suspect, 35-year-old Nunez was living in the residence and was a wanted on outstanding warrants issued in Los Angeles County,” Pruitt said.

When deputies executed the search warrant, Pruitt added, they said they found Nunez hiding inside of a bedroom closet. ”During a search of Nunez’ bedroom,” Pruitt said. “A loaded firearm and additional ammunition were found.”

Nunez was taken into custody without incident. His bail has been set at $50,000, but he is being held on no bail for the warrant.

Read more:

Bakersfield Californian: Felon wanted in LA county arrested in Boron

DELANO — Two convicted felons were arrested on Friday after sheriff’s deputies discovered drugs, stolen property and guns during a raid.

Michael McClintock, 53, and 43-year-old Jessica Fierros were booked into the Kern County Jail.

McClintock was charged with one count of possession of a loaded firearm while in possession of a controlled substance, sales of a controlled substance, maintaining a house for the purpose of distribution of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and with other drug related charges. His bail has been set at $220,000.

Meanwhile, Fierros is being charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a firearm and other drug related charges. Her bail has been set at $62,500.

According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Ray Pruitt, deputies from the Delano, Wasco and Buttonwillow substations served a search warrant in the 1000 Block of South Lexington Avenue in Delano at around 7 a.m. on Jan. 24. ”Upon searching the residence,” Pruitt said. “Deputies located approximately a half pound of what they suspected to be methamphetamine, and approximately one pound of marijuana.”

Pruitt also added that deputies also recovered items they believed were being used to sell the drugs, alongside a number of illegally possessed loaded firearms and ammunition, and various items on and inside the property that are considered to be stolen.

Read more:

KERO: Officials arrested 2 people and discovered drugs, weapons during raid

Two Napa men were arrested late this week near the Napa homeless shelter on suspicion of DUI, disorderly conduct and weapons possession charges.

Donald James Oviatt, 60, and Christopher Martin Thomas, 52, were taken into custody at around 7 p.m. Thursday near the shelter at 575 Third St., Napa. Their arrest was posted on the Napa police log late Friday.

…

[Read the full story on NapaValley.Patch.com]

Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 5 checkpoint near San Clemente stopped a compact car Friday with nearly 700 pounds of cocaine worth $6.7 million.

The large seizure was equal to more than three quarters of the cocaine found by the Border Patrol in the last fiscal year.

…

[Read the full story on Oceanside-CampPendleton.Patch.com]

A domestic situation between a couple of pet owners resulted in the death of a parakeet and a dog, and the arrest of a Clearlake Oaks man on multiple charges.

Clearlake Oaks is a small town located on the central eastern shore of Clear Lake in Lake County. A unique feature of the community is a neighborhood called “The Keys” – a 1960′s subdivision featuring a series of canals that run behind the homes and provide direct access to the lake via boat from the houses that back up to them. It was one of these homes along Shoreview Drive that Sheriff’s deputies were sent to on reports of a woman screaming last Friday morning at 9:15 . According to Steve Brooks of the Sheriff’s Department, a deputy searching for the problem in the neighborhood heard a female voice cry out “Stop it! Don’t!” He knocked on the door, and the screaming stopped suddenly. He continued to knock and identify himself, with no response other than silence.

With the help of another deputy, and with concern for the safety of whomever was inside, they forced entry into the small home. They found a man and woman inside, and the woman had blood on her pant legs. They asked if she was injured, and she said no, the blood was from her dog, which was now dead in a boat behind the house in the canal. The man, 52-year-old Dennis Michael Hector, had blood on his hands and admitted that he had killed the dog.

Deputies had to force entry into the Clearlake Oaks home on the domestic disturbance call.

After finding the dog, dead, wet and in an aluminum boat out back, the deputies pieced together the story. The woman lived with Hector in the house, and he recently allowed her to bring her dog in. But he warned her that the dog had better not bother his pet parakeet, which was allowed to fly freely throughout the house. He claimed that he told her that if the dog bothered the bird, he would take action. He even said that his girlfriend agreed that he could kill the dog if it harmed the parakeet. And sure enough, the dog viewed the parakeet as fair game, and ended up killing the bird.

Hector furiously took action against the canine, and beat the dog with his fists. The woman told deputies that she screamed at him to leave the poor dog alone, but could not stop him. She said that after the dog was dead, Hector threw it into the canal behind the house. She was the one who retrieved it and placed it into the boat. When the deputy had knocked on the door in response to the screams, she said he had prevented her from answering. She also denied ever giving him permission to hurt her dog. Hector expressed that is should be OK to kill a dog if it had killed another pet. He was also found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dennis Hector was arrested, but apparently did not go quietly, as deputies added resisting arrest to the charges of maliciously and intentionally torturing or killing an animal, subjecting an animal to needless suffering or unnecessary cruelty, possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence. They added destroying or concealing evidence for throwing the dog into the canal. He was booked on those charges at the County’s Hill Road Correctional Facility with bail set at $100,000. The size and breed of the dog was not released by the sheriff’s department.

Read More:

Lake County News: Clearlake Oaks man arrested for animal cruelty after beating girlfriend’s dog to death

STOCKTON – a 33-year-old man was detained in a traffic stop Sunday and found to have illegal weapons.

Sheriff’s Deputies from the San Joaquin County Gang Task Force conducted a traffic stop on 3300 Waterloo Road in Stockton, according to a Sheriff’s press release. The occupants of the car were found to be on searchable probation, and the search conducted was extended to a home on West Creek Drive. It was there that they observed a gun box left in plain view. A formal search warrant was obtained, and the continued search located a Glock 40 caliber pistol with ammunition, along with two receivers for an AR15 assault rifle. Due to a prior conviction, Maysa Chheap was arrested Sunday for being a felon on parole in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to Recordnet.com, Chheap was arrested in 2004 as one of three suspects in the killing of two men, James Dutye and Demetrius Silmon. He had fled to Minnesota after the April 2 killings. After an investigation and search of two homes, Chheap was found hiding in a closet under a pile of clothes by officers in Heron Lake, Minnesota. He was brought back to California to face charges, and ended up making a plea deal with the district attorney in 2005, and began serving prison time then. Jackson Phaysaleum and Bobby Panyasee were also arrested and convicted in the killing.

Sheriff’s Deputies served a warrant at Chheap’s residence on Creek Drive.

Read More:

Recordnet.com: 3rd man held in slayings

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has recently arrested a suspect in connection to a body found near Snodgrass Slough last week, according to an official press release. Robert Juan Enriquez, 38, was reportedly arrested on January 27, 2014, for domestic violence and murder. He was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail and is currently being held without bail.

According to Sac Sheriff, homicide detectives had found a burned body near Snodgrass Slough on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

On Sunday, January 26, Sheriff’s patrol deputies reportedly responded to a residence for a missing person report. The reporting person stated his live-in girlfriend had left the residence on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, and had not returned. The patrol deputy reportedly noted physical similarities between the missing person and the found body, and contacted homicide detectives.

A view of Snodgrass Slough from Twin Cities Road.

Further investigation reportedly revealed several inconsistencies between the reporting person’s initial statement, and they also noted additional similarities between the missing person and recovered body. The victim has been tentatively identified pending official identification by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. Events and circumstances leading to her death are unknown at this time.

Sac Sheriff urges anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Enriquez between January 22-27, 2014, to contact homicide detectives at 916-874-5115.

Read More:

Sacramento Bee: Boyfriend arrested in connection with body found burned in Delta

LOS ANGELES – In Willowbrook, a community north of Compton, police on Sunday night encountered an apparently distraught man who attempted to settle his issues  with a gun. The incident occurred at a residence on the 2400 block of East 126th Street.  The 43-year-old male confronted his ex-girlfriend and shot her new boyfriend in the face.

The shooter then left the scene in his car, taking his one-year-old son with him,  Police followed him in a pursuit that eventually returned to the residence on 126th Street.

Holding the baby in one hand and a revolver in the other, the suspect then tried unsuccessfully to enter a side door as well as the front door.  After each attempt he fired one shot in the direction of deputies, who did not return fire out of concern for the safety of the child.  Finally, the child was released and pulled inside the home, at which time deputies fired multiple times in response to the gunman pointing his revolver at them yet again.

The unnamed suspect is in critical condition.  The man he shot in the face is recovering in the hospital.

Read More:

NBC4: Man Allegedly points gun at deputies while holding baby

ABC: Police say shooting suspect used baby as shield

FOXLA: Deputy-involved shooting in Willowbrook

The Woodland Police Department recently arrested seven suspects in connection to more than 100 burglaries that had taken place in the City of Woodland between November and December 2013, according to an official press release.

On January 23, 2014, the following Woodland residents were reportedly arrested and booked into the Yolo County Jail:
Marc Lasonde, 28, arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property and a warrant
Kimberly Lalley, 24, arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property and a warrant
Jose Garcia, 37, arrested for possession of methamphetamine and a warrant
Blanca Hernandez, 30, arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance
Elia Garcia, 22, arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of stolen property
Salvador Villa, 34, taken into custody for possession of methamphetamine

Mario Lopez was the last of the group to be arrested after turning himself in.

A seventh suspect, Mario Lopez, 23, reportedly turned himself into the Woodland PD on January 25, 2014, and was arrested without incident. He was reportedly booked into the Yolo County Jail for burglary, probation violation, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, child endangerment, and felon in possession of a firearm.

According to Woodland PD, on January 23, 2014, the Woodland PD in conjunction with the West Sacramento Police Department, Davis Police Department, Yolo County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Yolo County Probation and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office served six search warrants on homes within Woodland. Officers reportedly had the goal of recovering stolen property and making any applicable arrests.

Blanca Hernandez was arrested in connection with the burglaries, but was charged with drug possession. (Facebook)

Stolen property was reportedly recovered and included firearms, household items and tools.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the Woodland Police Department Investigation’s Division at 530-661-7800.

Read More:

Daily Democrat: Outstanding Woodland burglary suspect turns himself in to police

Fox 40: Accused Woodland Burglary Ring Member Turns Himself In

LAKEPORT – LAKE COUNTY – A man and woman were arrested in their Lakeport home last Friday morning while their 3-year-old toddler looked on.

A search warrant was served at the 16th Street and Hartley Street apartment of 31-year-old Carlos Ponce on Friday, January 24th at 8:20 am. After knocking on the door and announcing their presence, Sheriff’s Deputies forced entry into the unit. Ponce was inside along with 28-year-old Laura Ann Flores and their 3-year-old child.

Detectives served a search warrant at this apartment building.

Along with the family, detectives from the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task force found a variety of drugs and weapons. According to a Sheriff’s press release, they located a bucket in the master bedroom filled with processed marijuana, another plastic bag with a pound of processed weed, and various smaller containers. In the bedroom closet there were two 12-gauge shotguns and high capacity drum magazine. The bathroom had a digital scale and 1.8 grams of packaged methamphetamine, and a meth pipe tucked into a sweatshirt lying on the floor. They found cash totaling $504.00 as well.

Outside, the detectives checked in Ponce’s vehicle, and found a plastic bag full of pills, which turned out to be 5 milligram Hydrocodone pills, a prescription painkiller sometimes abused as a narcotic.

Evidence seized at the apartment included weapons, marijuana, meth, pills, and cash.

Ponce and Flores were arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession while armed, and possession of sale, and possession of drug paraphernalia. They were also charged with child endangerment due to the meth in the bathroom, which was accessible to the toddler in the house. The cash was seized pending asset forfeiture proceeding as profit from illegal drug sales. They were booked into the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Read More:

Lake County News: Detectives arrest couple; marijuana, meth, pills and weapons seized

The victim, Thomas Umberto Sladek from a Facebook memorial page.

REDDING – A young man is dead as a result of a gunshot wound, and three suspects have now been arrested in the shooting.

On Sunday night at about 7 pm, police were sent to Alta Mesa Park on Saturn Skyway and Scorpius Way on reports of a gunshot victim. According to Redding Police, the arriving officers found the victim, 21-year-old Thomas Umberto Sladek of Redding, wounded and in his car. He was transported to Mercy Medical Center where he died of the injuries.

Witnesses reported that the victim had been in his car when two young men approached. A conversation, or possibly an argument was heard between them, when one of the men fired into the car. Both fled on foot and were seen running east on Venus Way. Witnesses described them as white and Hispanic males in their late teens to early twenties. They also reported possible acne scars on the white suspect’s face.

Logan Jackson Barnhart – the first of the three arrests (Facebook)

The Redding Police investigators developed leads in the case that brought them on Monday to a home on Newbury Lane, less than a mile from the scene of the shooting. They observed the home and contacted the occupants inside, and resident Logan Jackson Barnhart was arrested and a search warrant was served. Through an interview with Barnhart, who was charged with conspiracy, attempted robbery, and murder, police identified two other suspects. Their identities were corroborated with witnesses at the scene.

Alta Mesa Park – the scene of the Sunday evening murder.

At 8 pm Monday, the two young men identified as additional suspects – 18-year-old Dillon Ray Sims and 17-year-old Raquan Anthony Blake Matthews, turned themselves in to Redding Police. Both were interviewed about their part in the shooting and provided statements about their actions. Like Barnhart, they were booked for murder, attempted robbery and conspiracy – Sims at the County Jail and Matthews into the Juvenile Hall. Sims’ bail is set at $1,000,000, and Matthews does not have a bail set due to his juvenile status.

The investigation is ongoing and Redding Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact them at 530-225-4214.

Read More:

Record Searchlight: Two more suspects arrested in Alta Mesa Park shooting

A suspect has reportedly been arrested in connection to the robbery at a CVS Pharmacy in Granite Bay earlier this month, according to an official press release from the Placer County Sheriff.

Christopher Erik Sullivan, 26, of Roseville was charged with felony robbery. He is in custody at the Placer County Jail and his bail was set for $115,000.

According to the Placer County Sheriff, on January 15, 2014, at 7:28pm a suspect — later identified as Sullivan — entered the CVS Pharmacy located at 8455 Auburn Folsom Road in Granite Bay, approached a cashier and asked for all the money in the register. No weapon was reportedly seen, and the suspect reportedly had both hands in his pocket.

CVS Pharmacy on Auburn-Folsom Road in Granite Bay

Sullivan reportedly fled the scene on foot. Through evidence collected at the scene, detectives were reportedly able to identify Sullivan, whom they later found was already in custody at the Placer County Jail for felony grand theft he committed in Roseville on January 22, 2014.

Read More:

Press Tribune: Alleged drug store robber engaged in two capers in a week

OILDALE — A 28-year-old robbery suspect is behind bars after leading police on a high-speed pursuit through the streets of a northeast Bakersfield community on Monday.

Andrew Craig Morgan of Bakersfield was booked into the Kern County Jail for various charges, including felony possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading, resisting arrest and an existing felony arrest warrant for robbery. His bail is set at $95,000.

According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when a deputy tried to stop Morgan, who was driving a grey Saturn VUE in the area of Lincoln Avenue and California Street in Oildale at around 10:45 p.m. on Jan. 24. However, when the deputy flashed his emergency lights and sounded his siren, Morgan fled.

During the ensuing pursuit Morgan evaded the deputy by running stop signs and stop lights before the pursuit ended when he lost control of the vehicle and ran into a PG&E power pole, snapping it in two. ”The suspect then ran from the vehicle and fought with deputies before being taken into custody with the assistance of a canine unit,” Sheriff’s spokesperson Ray Pruitt said. “The suspect did receive some minor injuries.” Morgan was transported, treated and released from Kern Medical Center at short time later.

Upon further investigation of the incident, sheriff’s detectives determined that Morgan was wanted had an outstanding an arrest warrant for robbery at the Chase Bank in Oildale on Jan. 23, 2014.

Read more:

Bakersfield Californian: Pursuit ends with arrest of bank robbery suspect

Bakersfieldnow: Alleged robber of Chase bank nabbed after chase with deputies

Santa Ana – After hearing complaints of a foul odor emanating from a house on the 2900 block of N. Fernwood, Animal Services enlisted the support of police in serving a search warrant of the home.

Once inside, they discovered nearly 400 pythons, most of which were dead.  In addition they found numerous live mice and rats running loose all over the house.

Ball Python

Subsequently, police arrested 53-year-old William Buchman for animal cruelty.  Buchman, a teacher at Mariners Elementary School in Newport Beach, had been in the sights of Animal control for nearly a year, but the investigation ramped up the past 4 months when the dead-body smell became overwhelming.

Read More:

Calgary Herald: Hundreds of living, dead pythons found in home

LATIMES: Owner arrested after nearly 400 dead pythons found

NBCLA: “God Awful Stench”

REDDING – A traffic stop yesterday afternoon resulted in an arrest for possession of “black tar” heroin of a 21-year-old woman.

At 6:40 pm on Tuesday, a Redding Police officer conducted a traffic stop at the northbound Interstate 5 offramp at Lake Blvd., according to a Redding PD press release. The driver, Paulina Danielle Boehm was found to be in possession of black tar heroin.

An example of Black Tar Heroin

Black tar heroin is actually a combination of heroin and morphine, combined in a chemical process called acetylation. The reaction can take the form of a dark gooey tar like substance to a light brown powder when further refined. It can be easier to produce than pure white powder heroin, and be more potent. It can be used in powder form through inhalation through the nose, mixed with water and ingested, heated and inhaled, or even used as a suppository. It can also be injected like traditional heroin. Though by its nature it is said to carry less of an HIV transmission risk, it can lead to vein hardening disease and life threatening bacterial infections.

When the officer found the 9.2 ounces of black tar in Boehm’s sweatshirt pocket, he requested an assist from the SINTF – the Shasta Interagency Narcotics Task Force. Agents responded to the scene to continue the investigation into the incident. As a result, Ms. Boehm was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession for sale, and transportation of a controlled substance.

This was not Paulina Boehm’s first experience with the law. According to the Record Searchlight, in April 2011 her boyfriend at the time, Blaine Stidham was arrested for attempted murder. A man had witnessed an altercation between Stidham and Boehm, and tried to intervene. Stidham was reported to have fought with the man, and ended up beating and stabbing the man. He left the scene with Boehm and was found with her the next morning when he was arrested for that incident, along with several outstanding warrants. Boehm herself was not arrested at that time.

Read More:

Record Searchlight (2011) Lawyer: Victim started fight; accused may be ordered to stand trial in Redding stabbing

The story of 13-year-old Andy Lopez in Santa Rosa has become well known. He is the young man who was spotted in Santa Rosa’s Moorland Avenue neighborhood by Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputies on October 22, 2013. He was carrying what turned out to be a replica AK-47 Airsoft rifle, which shoots BB sized plastic pellets. However, the gun appeared to be genuine, and when one of the deputies, later identified as Erick Gelhaus, ordered him to drop the weapon, the young man did not comply, and was reported to have even raised the gun. Gelhaus fired and killed Lopez. The FBI conducted an independent investigation of the incident, and ruled the shooting justifiable. Since that time, many in the community, and from all around California and elsewhere have staged protests and rallies complaining of the actions of the deputies and the follow up. Others have rallied to support the deputy and department.

One of many Andy Lopez protest demonstrations.

One of the regular protesters has been Jose Godoy, who has twice been arrested for brandishing what appeared to be a handgun during a rally and activities around Andy Lopez protests. He claimed that at least once the weapon was in reality a staple gun. One of those charges has since been dropped, and the other is under investigation. In addition to that, he has been charged with vandalism and obstruction during rallies, in addition to an unrelated 2012 child endangerment conviction.

With that background, it seemed strange to many to hear of Godoy’s latest incident. On January 16, deputies were called to Friedman Brothers Home Improvement on Santa Rosa Avenue on reports of a burglary. According to the Sonoma Sheriff’s Office, management at the store showed the deputy a video surveillance of a man taking a $60.00 blow torch while accompanied by four others. When contacted by a store employee, the man refused to stop, getting into his car with the others and leaving at high speed. The deputy recognized the thief as Jose Godoy, and they were able to identify his vehicle as well from the video.

Godoy is arrested at one of the protests.

Eight days later, on Friday January 24, the same deputy spotted Godoy as he drove north on Santa Rosa Avenue. With the stated intention of stopping Godoy to get a statement regarding the burglary he was suspected of, the deputy followed him and tried to make a traffic stop. By the time he caught up with him, they had arrived at the rear of an apartment complex at 1024 Bellevue, where Godoy lives.

The deputy reported that after they stopped, the five subjects exited the vehicle, but did not cooperate with his efforts to speak to Godoy. He said that Godoy constantly berated him, yelling profanities as he walked away. He also yelled to the people he was with, and in the apartment complex, to videotape the confrontation. The deputy tried to explain that he just wanted to speak to him about the burglary at Friedman Brothers. Godoy reportedly continued his verbal aggression and walked towards the deputy, while several others in the area also shouted at him aggressively. He called for backup, and they eventually handcuffed Godoy and arrested him on charges of probation violation and delaying an investigation. Despite the evidence, he did not admit to the theft of the blowtorch, and that investigation is ongoing.

Some comments on posted articles about this and past incidents suggest both that Godoy shouldn’t be tied to the organized demonstrations, and that he is not a valid representative of the cause of justice for Andy Lopez. Others suggest that he is being unfairly persecuted by law enforcement due to his vocal participation. It has been suggested that this latest incident was an attempt by him to goad law enforcement into further harassment. Or perhaps that he is just a common criminal who happened to gain some notoriety through the Lopez events.

Meanwhile, the Santa Rosa Police have announced that their investigation into Andy Lopez’ shooting, in conjunction with the Petaluma Police Department, has been completed and forwarded it to the District Attorney’s office, per standard protocol for such incidents, with the goal of determining if there were any criminal violations in the actions by the Sheriff’s Deputy. The results of that investigation have not been released pending the review by the D.A.

Read More:

Press Democrat: Fake-weapons charge against Andy Lopez protester dropped

Press Democrat: Protester of Lopez killing arrested after suspected theft

Petaluma Patch: Gelhaus Protesters in Santa Rosa Smash Jail Door; One Arrested

Photos courtesy Facebook

FRESNO – Officers arrested a suspect who they believe was responsible for the death of three sisters in a DUI accident in Fresno County.

Tranquillo Ramos Figueroa, 56, of Sanger is being charged for causing the deaths of Jennie Monreal, Josephine Contreras and Delores Rodriguez, sisters who were all in their 70s. A fourth sister, Elizabeth Rodriguez, 67, was taken to the hospital after the accident and is in fair condition.

The accident happened on Saturday night along McCall Avenue, just north of Belmont Avenue just after 6 p.m. Figueroa’s vehicle drifted into the path of the sisters’ Toyota Yaris. The driver, Elizabeth Rodriguez, attempted to swerve out of the way, but could not avoid the head-on collision.

Figueroa’s blood alcohol level was .15 or higher when he crashed into the sisters, according to the criminal complaint. Figueroa allegedly already had a DUI conviction in 2013. He was driving on a suspended license at the time of the accident.

Figueroa has been charged with three counts of murder, driving with a blood alcohol level over .08 and causing great bodily injury, hit and run, and driving with a suspended license.

Read More:

ABC30: Fresno judge holds hospital hearing in triple fatal DUI

ABC7: Three sisters killed by drunk driver

ABC30: Driver tried to stop suspected DUI driver before he killed 3 sisters

TEHACHAPI — A 27-year-old felon on probation was arrested early Thursday morning after leading police on high speed pursuit through the streets of Tehachapi.

Michael Pate of Ridgecrest, was booked into the Kern County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for sales, transportation of methamphetamine, attempt to destroy evidence, evading a peace officer and resisting arrest.

His bail has been set at $60,000.

According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when deputies from the Tehachapi substation made contact with a Pate at the Love’s Travel  Stop located at 2000 E. Tehachapi Blvd. at around 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 30.

“At that time deputies discovered the suspect was on active probation, ” said Sergeant Douglas Wilson. “The suspect then refused to follow requests from the deputies and drove away from the scene, initiating a vehicle pursuit.

During the pursuit, deputies said that Pate threw approximately a half pound of methamphetamine from his moving vehicle, before coming to a stop on Highway 58, at  East Tehachapi Boulevard.

“Upon further investigation, deputies were able to locate $2,500 of discarded methamphetamine along the roadway,” Wilson said.

Read More:

KERO: Ridgecrest man arrested on drug charges