The Roseville Police Department recently made arrests in two separate cases in the Lead Hill area that both occurred on Tuesday, March 4 according to an official report.

At 1 am on March 4, an officer reportedly began to make a traffic stop on a car traveling from Riverside Avenue to eastbound I-80. Instead of stopping, the car reportedly sped away, leading the officer on a short pursuit, which reportedly ended when the suspect crashed his car into a light pole on Sunrise Avenue and Eureka Road.

The driver then reportedly abandoned his car and ran in Miner’s Ravine, causing officers to search the area for about 45 minutes. A K9 from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department reportedly located the suspect hiding in a berry patch near the creek.

Phillip Virgil Mays, 35 of Lincoln, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of evading a police officer with reckless disregard for public safety, possessing methamphetamine and burglar’s tools, and other related charges.

Salvador Vera Cervantes

Then later that morning at 10:46am, officers reportedly found a stolen car from Tulare County in the 300 block of North Sunrise. Officers were then able to locate and arrest the driver, who was nearby.

Salvador Vera Cervantes, 47 of Lindsey, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and related charges.

Cold case detectives utilized 21st century forensic technology to nab the Fairfield man who allegedly murdered Priscilla Strole in her home thirty years ago.

Strole’s son, Kyle Stracner, 15 years old at the time, discovered the victim’s bloody, broken body lying on the kitchen floor on August 31, 1983.

Authorities said at the time Ms. Strole had suffered numerous stab and slash wounds. Fingerprints and DNA found on the victim’s body did not match anyone’s records in law enforcement databases at the time. In early 2012, Fairfield Cold Case Detectives sent semen evidence from the crime scene to a Sacramento forensic laboratory, hoping 21st century state-of-the-art technology could help solve the 1983 murder.

The lab developed DNA from the evidence, but no matches showed up. Undaunted, the Fairfield detectives sent crime scene fingerprints to the Automated Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS) in hopes the killer may have committed crimes subsequent to Ms. Strole’s murder. A match was found.

The victim, Priscilla Strole

Robert Hathaway, 17 at the time of the murder and a friend of Kyle Stracner’s, had been arrested in 1986 for burglary, and his fingerprints were uploaded to AFIS at that time. The Fairfield detectives obtained a search warrant to obtain a DNA sample from Hathaway on February 10.

Interviewed about Ms. Strole’s murder, Hathaway told the detectives he was not involved. But on February 15, Hathaway hung himself. He left a suicide note stating he was “taking the coward’s way out.” On February 20, the forensics lab reported a match between Hathaway’s DNA and the semen evidence.

Read More:

KCRA: 30-year-old Fairfield cold case solved after suspect hangs himself

The Reporter: Fairfield cold case solved: Woman’s murder was mystery for 30 years

ORANGE COVE – A man who was interrupted during a suspected theft and then rammed a deputy sheriff’s vehicle in an attempt to escape was arrested on Tuesday.

Two deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Orosi Substation responded to a gas theft in progress in Orange Cove just after 10 p.m. on Monday. Upon arrival, the deputies found the man – now identified as Rodney Harp, 42, of Dinuba – in the 45400 block of Road 128 “during the commission of the crime,” according to the sheriff’s department.

The deputies tried to detain Harp, but he jumped into his vehicle and drove it toward the deputy.

“Deputies attempted to stop the suspect from using the vehicle as a deadly weapon by firing their department issued handguns. The suspect still managed to ram one of the stationary patrol vehicles with the deputy inside,” according to the sheriff’s department.

Harp then fled north on Road 128 toward Avenue 460 and managed to elude the pursuing deputies. The suspect’s car was later located two miles away from where the officer-involved shooting occurred.

Investigators with the Tulare County Violent Crimes Unit gleaned possible suspect information and tracked down Harp at a residence in the 1400 block of Green Street in Dinuba.

Harp was taken into custody without incident. He was booked at the Visalia Main Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, evading with gross negligence, theft and resisting arrest.

None of the deputies were injured during the officer-involved shooting incident. They have been placed on administrative leave during an investigation of the incident, according to standard policy.

Read More:

ABC30: Arrest made in Tulare county officer-involved shooting

LAKEPORT – LAKE COUNTY – Police investigating reports of some gasoline stolen from several vehicles led to the arrest of a teenage man, his father and the woman who lived with them.

Police became aware of several vehicles that had been targeted for fuel theft on February 16 and 17. It appeared the six cars in the Del Lago neighborhood had been tampered with to remove gasoline, and one also had a stereo stolen. Another car on nearby 15th Street, and one closer to downtown on Main Street.

a White Mini pickup was seen by witnesses. This is Alex Gard’s Ford.

A few witnesses reported seeing a white mini pickup truck with some damage to the rear fender and bumper. One also reported seeing a thin white man, late teens to early twenties, with short hair and a flat billed baseball cap. Some also reported seeing a second man acting as a lookout, but no description was given of him.

Three more reports of stolen fuel came in on Wednesday, February 19, with an estimated 60 gallons missing. Press releases were sent out to the media and published in the local news alerting Lakeport residents to be on the lookout for suspicious activity, especially watching for the truck and young man.

As the investigation progressed, tips came in to police identifying 18-year-old Alexander Gene Gard as a possible suspect. Gard was said to drive a 1997 white Ford Ranger pickup. Despite the matching descriptions, police did not believe they had sufficient evidence for an arrest or search warrant. Meanwhile, the thefts continued. Over the next two and a half weeks numerous other reports of vehicle thefts came in, both of gasoline and property, including from the Lake County Vector Control equipment yard and vehicles, located on Esplanade Street.

The Lake County Vector Control facility was just one of the scenes of the vehicle thefts. (Google maps)

On Monday, March 10 at 9:30 in the evening, while Lakeport Police continued to investigate Alex Gard, they found him driving his Ranger in the Shoreline Shopping Center slowly past parked cars. Officers followed him and conducted an enforcement stop as he drove down Main Street. Officers found a treasure trove of evidence in the truck, including stolen auto parts, tools and supplies that came from the Vector Control thefts and items from another vehicle burglary. He also had some concentrated cannabis (which usually means either hashish or “honey oil”.) Gard was arrested and charged with possession of drugs and stolen property, and burglary. The truck was impounded as evidence for further investigation. Nothing, however, could directly connect him to the fuel thefts, however, other than his description.

On Wednesday, armed with a search warrant for Gard’s home and vehicle, Lakeport Police, with the assistance of State Parks officers, arrived at the residence on Armstrong Street bright and early at 7:05 in the morning. It seems that word never reached home that Alex had been arrested, because the officers had no trouble gathering a lot more evidence at the scene. They found Alex’s father, 55-year-old Gary Lee Gard and 50-year-old Alicia Sarris both home at the time. They were detained while the search was conducted.

Camera Shy? Gary Lee Gard and Alicia Sarris resist posing for Lakeport Police.

Officers found evidence of a fully functioning narcotics sales operation, with methamphetamine, narcotic pills, digital scales, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia such as meth pipes and syringes. They even found drug pay and owe notes, and a .22 caliber rifle with ammunition. They also located more stolen property from the vehicle thefts, including a recently stolen car stereo. Gary Gard and Alicia Sarris were both arrested on charges of possession of narcotics and paraphernalia for use or sales, and being armed in commission of a felony, according to Lakeport Police.

The search moved on to the thorough examination of Gard’s impounded truck, based on the warrants obtained. They found a meth pipe, stolen tools and equipment, burglary tools, and finally gasoline siphoning equipment. (No word on what happened to all the stolen gasoline.) Alex Gard was given the additional charges of possession of narcotics and paraphernalia, marijuana for sale, and burglary tools.

Read More:

Lake County News: Suspect in Lakeport gas thefts identified, arrested; two others arrested on drugs, weapons charges

HESPERIA – Thirteen years after being convicted during his child molestation trial – in absentia – a former Riverside County resident was finally captured in the high desert community by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies.

Todd Eric Dalton, now 54, who was arrested last Saturday, disappeared during his 2001 trial when opening statements were being made. At that time, he was tried while not appearing in court, convicted on nine sex-related counts with special allegations, punishable by life imprisonment.

Dalton had been freed on $350,000 bond in 2001.

Deputies in Hesperia received anonymous information that Dalton was managing a business on Santa Fe Avenue East. At 3:06 p.m., when deputies approached him, Dalton reportedly gave the deputies a fake name. Sheriff’s officials said a mobile identification system was used to instantly confirm his identity. Deputies served a warrant charging him with continued sexual abuse of a child under 14, molestation of a child under the age of 14 and forcible sexual penetration.

He was scheduled for a hearing on his arrest warrant this week in Riverside Superior Court after deputies handed him over to Riverside County authorities on Monday. He is currently being held without bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

Charges surrounded allegations in which two young females were reportedly molested by Dalton in the bedroom at his Riverside home. The molestations had spanned over several years, the jury was told. The girls told investigators in 1999 that Dalton had touched them and forced them to touch him in sexual ways.

Read More:

Press Enterprise: After 13 years on run, convicted child molester arrested

Fresno Bee: After 13 years on run, molester arrested

Suspect will Serve 44 Days In Jail And Three Years Probation

MONTEREY—Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced today that 61-year-old San Jose resident Danny Eugene Thacker was convicted of a misdemeanor battery, which occurred last year at the Century Cinemas at the Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey.

The incident occurred on April 5, 2013 during a very heated verbal altercation between the victim and Mr. Thacker.  While in the movies, the victim had taken out his cell phone, that had been set to vibrate, three different times to check the screen.

“This constant distraction irritated Mr. Thacker who retaliated by kicking the back of the victim’s chair, twice.” Monterey County Deputy District Attorney Linda Sunde wrote in a press release. “This action was followed by an obscene comment towards the victim.”

A verbal altercation ensued, and Thacker, who was seated behind the victim, struck him in the face with a clenched fist.  The fight was witnessed by at least two other movie goers who were seated across the aisle.

One of those witnesses, who just happened to be an off-duty police officer with the Monterey Airport Police, rendered aid to the victim outside the theater.  The other witness stayed in the theatre to identify the perpetrator of the battery.

Century Theater in Monterey

Officers with the Monterey Police Department arrested Thacker at the scene and booked him into the Monterey County Jail in Salinas on charges of misdemeanor battery. On March 5, 2014, Mr. Thacker was convicted on the charge of misdemeanor battery and Judge Sam Lavarato sentenced him to three years probation and 44 days in Jail.

SAN BERNARDINO – Law enforcement agencies raided two medical marijuana dispensaries, arresting two men, seizing firearms and cracking down on what is believed to be gang-related activity early Wednesday. The dispensaries, located in the 1100 block of E Street and another at the 300 block of West 40th Street, have been linked to large amounts of criminal activity, said police.

“These two locations have already generated a number of patrol cars for service,” said San Bernardino Police spokesman, Lt. Rich Lawhead. “including burglaries and robberies.” Shootings have also been reported at both of those areas as well, he said.

Different agencies took part in the raids, including officers from the San Bernardino Movement Against Street Hoodlums, a SWAT team from both police and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s, along with regular police and sheriff’s officers.

At 6 a.m., the law enforcement agencies converged at the Truth Clinic at 316 West 40th Street, where searches turned up a rifle and handgun. Police arrested two people at the scene. There were no arrests made at the other location on E Street, though police did seize a shotgun and a handgun.

No marijuana was seized from either location, according to reports. Both dispensaries were shut down, said Lawhead. Several people were detained by police at both locations, but police only arrested two males. While the investigation continues, police did not yet identify those that had been arrested. Police officials confirmed that the marijuana sales at both dispensaries are tied to gang-related activities.

Read More:

San Bernardino Sun: SB marijuana dispensaries raided by police

MERCED  - It wasn’t just dinner this guy was fixing. A 23-year-old Merced man is behind bars after his attempt to cook hash oil resulted in an explosion yesterday just before 8 pm.

Michael Ward was allegedly cooking marijuana into hash at his home on West 21^st Street – just a block away from both the Merced County Sheriff’s Department and the Merced Police Department.

The explosion occurred at a home on 21st St. The Courthouse Museum can be seen in the background (right)

The explosion occurred in the home’s laundry room, apparently knocking out multiple windows and causing structural damage. Neighbors hearing the boom thought a water heater had exploded, or a shotgun had been fired, according to local media reports.

Converting marijuana into “hash oil” or “honey oil” involves the use of butane gas, and has frequently resulted in explosions, fires, injuries, and even death. The resultant liquid form of the narcotic is said to be much more potent, and can be inhaled, vaporized or smoked. It is valued much higher than processed weed marijuana, apparently making the risky process appealing to some.

The Merced Sheriffs and Police Station are just around the corner.

Ward was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of burn wounds before being taken into custody. He was charged with possession of concentrated cannabis and manufacturing a controlled substance.

Read more:

Merced Sun-Star: Hash-oil explosion in Merced injures 1, police say

SAN JOSE – In a press release, the San Jose Police, in association with the District Attorney’s office, announced the arrest of a 6-year veteran with the SJPD – Officer Geoffrey Graves #4101 – for sexual assault under PC 261 (a) (2) rape by force against a female victim.

Sgt. Heather Randol with the SJPD said, “On Monday March 10, 2014, Officer Geoff Graves was arrested for one count of felony sexual assault”. After a five month investigation into the allegations, evidence recovered from the suspect’s bullet proof vest revealed the victims DNA, as reported at the time of the attack. Many rape cases take a while to investigate as DNA is a primary tool for helping identify the possible suspect who committed the crime.

The suspected attack occurred after a domestic dispute incident when a female victim was taken to a motel room for safe keeping. However, Officer Graves returned, forcing himself on the victim, and eventually raping her. Randol said “Graves remained nearby and re-initiated contact with the female in her hotel room. According to the female, the officer sexually assaulted her”.

Kelton Malique Hart (Facebook)

Many sexual assaults occur by a suspect known to the victim, and those are often called “acquaintance rape”. On Sept 24, 2013 a victim came to the SJPD police administration building to report rape by force from a suspect 23-year-old Kelton Malique Hart. She said she had been friends with the Hart while in high school. However after five years the suspect contacted her. The relationship was based on a friendship status, and she had never been romantically involved with Hart. He had contacted her again after numerous years, and they had talked for several hours when he invited her to come to his place and pierce his sister’s ears.

When she arrived several of Hart’s friends were there, but the sister was still in school. The friends soon left and they were alone when he began to force himself on her. She thought that he was under the influence of marijuana because of the smell in the room, but he claimed he had been smoking “wax”. After forcing himself on the victim he held her and tried to keep her from leaving. She said that she felt dizzy and disoriented after the attack.

Hart is expected to appear before Dept 35 in the San Jose Hall of Justice at 1:30 on March 18, 2014 for further action.

WASCO — Two men in connection with the robbery of a department store in Wasco were arrested on Thursday evening.

Christopher Martinez, 18, and 21-year-old Brycen Dugan were booked into the Kern County Jail for robbery, conspiracy and aggravated assault.

Dugan is being held on $105,000, and Martinez, $75,000 bail.

Christopher Martinez, showing who he thinks is #1

According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Department, the pair attempted to steal three mass storage HD cards valued at over one hundred dollars from a K-Mart located at 2785 California Highway 46, at around 5 p.m. on March 12.

When they were confronted by loss prevention personnel, deputies said they assaulted them, at which time one of the loss prevention officers sustained moderate injuries to his face, which required stitches.

During their investigation, deputies said they learned the location of the suspects whereabouts, who were later taken into custody and the stolen property recovered.

Read more:

KERO: Two men arrested after stealing from K-Mart in Wasco

The Rocklin Police Department recently arrested a woman for reportedly using her children to help her steal items from a grocery store, according to an official report.

Ileana Ilie, 30, of Sacramento was reportedly arrested and charged with burglary-commercial and willful cruelty to a child.

According to Rocklin PD, on Monday, March 10, the suspect — later identified as Ilie — entered a grocery store in the 2300 block of Sunset Boulevard in Rocklin with her four children. She reportedly began to select items and as she moved to a display area, concealed the items in her clothing while her children reportedly stood around her to create a visual barrier. The suspect and her children then reportedly exited the store, making no attempt to pay for the items.

As store security reportedly approached the woman, three of the children reportedly made their way to a waiting vehicle, which then sped out of the parking lot. The suspect was reportedly placed under arrest and the child who remained with her was turned over to Child Protective Services (CPS).

On Jan 31 an armed robbery occurred at the Liquor Bin located at 4645 Cherry Ave in San Jose. The suspect demanded cash while brandishing a small semi-automatic handgun. The suspect then fled on foot to a parked car nearby.

22-year-old Angel Albert Rodriguez-Leon was identified as the suspect in the robbery. Surveillance footage taken during the robbery helped provide images that helped identify Rodriguez-Leon and the vehicle used in the getaway, but with few leads by investigators, Rodriguez-Leon remained at large.

Then on Feb 13 another robbery was committed at the Vista Liquors located at 1484 South White Road in San Jose. Rodriguez-Leon is suspected of entered the convenience store brandishing a black semi-automatic hand gun. This time, however, the suspect went behind the counter and took 400 – 500 dollars in cash from the register. However, there was little to help to identify Rodriguez-Leon because the suspect had hidden himself with a black jacket that partially covered his face and a pair of gloves to help conceal his identity.

The clerk remembered the suspect saying, “Give me the money. Give me money.” The clerk, fearing for his life, handed the suspect some money. However, unsatisfied with the clerk’s action, he demanded all the money, becoming angrier with the clerk. Video surveillance was collected for evidence at the scene.

That same day another robbery occurred at the Hillsdale Market at 3100 Monterey Road. The suspect quickly entered the store and demanded the money from the cash register. After taking the cash, this time he hit the cashier behind the head before fleeing. Then a third robbery was reported at the Minit Mart & Junior Deli located at 2604 Alum Rock Ave. This time another suspect, 25-year-old Jesus Beltran Escobar, was seen keeping a lookout while Rodriguez-Leon entered the store. One suspect displayed a silver handgun while the second suspect held a black semi-automatic handgun.

The Kwikee Mart was one of the many stores robbed by the pair.

Rodriguez-Leon struck a fourth time. This time he robbed the Kwikee Mart Convenience store located at 2044 McKee Road. This marked the fourth robbery in the same day. The suspect told an employee stocking the shelves, “Come this way and give me all the money in the cash register or I’ll shoot you.” The employee complied. This time Rodriguez-Leon was able to flee with $1200 dollars in cash, escaping using a red vehicle observed in other robberies.

According to Sgt. Heather Randol with the SJPD, “Between December 28, 2013 and February 28, 2014, a series of 20 armed robberies occurred at various liquor stores and small markets in the City of San Jose”. The suspects were becoming more violent now, with the discharging of a firearm during their robbery spree and more than 2 robberies occurring in a single day.

The suspects were finally apprehended near the Willow Glen area with several officers in pursuit, after reports of another robbery in the East San Jose area. An officer spotted the suspects and quickly called for backup. The use of the Sheriff’s helicopter 1 was also called to the scene in order to help capture the suspects after fleeing on foot once they were boxed in by patrol units.

The next court appearance for both suspects is on March 17, 2014 at 9:00 AM for further plea.

Read More:

CBS SF Bay Area: San Jose Police Arrest Suspected ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’ Bandits

KTVU: Two suspects arrested in rash of South Bay armed robberies

Rocklin Police Department recently arrested a man for reportedly naming his own prices at a local store, according to an official report.

James Cox, 50, from Antelope was reportedly arrested for commercial burglary and booked into the Placer County Jail. The arrest was reported on March 8, 2014.

According to Rocklin PD, over the course of two days, loss prevention personnel at a local store monitored a suspect — later identified as Cox — as he selected merchandise and used a merchandise “tagging gun” to change prices on these items as he hid inside hunting tents.

Officers reportedly detained the suspect in his car while he was in the process of using the “tagging gun,” and determined the suspect has changed the price of a $599 jacket to less than $15 before taking the item up to the cash register for purchase.

BAKERSFIELD — Three people were arrested on Wednesday evening in Bakersfield, for possession of a large amount of methamphetamine and several firearms.

Deanna Blankenship, 35, and 46-year-old Monte Flores were booked into the Kern County Jail on charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales. A third suspect, 38-year-old Kimberly Taylor, was booked on charges of possession of a controlled substance.

According to the Sheriff’s Office Gang Suppression Section, deputies made contact with Blankenship, who was sitting inside of a parked vehicle in front of residence in the 1500 block of Glenwood Drive in east Bakersfield at approximately 8:20 p.m. on March 12.

Monte Flores

After discovering that Blankenship was on parole and had a warrant for her arrest, deputies conducted a search of her vehicle.

“Deputies located a loaded .22 caliber rifle with a conversion kit to simulate an assault weapon,” Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Ray Pruitt said. “The rifle also had two additional loaded 25 round magazines attached to it as well.”

After further investigation, Pruitt said that deputies obtained a warrant to perform an additional search at a residence in the 500 block of Bernard Street.

At the residence deputies made contact with Flores and Taylor, and where they also found over 22 grams of methamphetamine, narcotic paraphernalia and an additional loaded 25 round magazine, and approximately 500 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, all of which were seized by law enforcement.

Read more:

KERO: Small rifle, drugs seized from parolee

Bakersfield Now: 3 arrested on suspicion of guns and drugs

Suspect Was Arrested With a Heroin Injection Kit

SANTA CRUZ—Officers with the Santa Cruz Police Department arrested 30-year-old Santa Cruz resident David Steven Gomez after he was found driving a stolen car with drugs inside.

On Thursday, an alert Parking Enforcement Officer with the City Of Santa Cruz Police Department noticed a reported stolen vehicle parked on the 100 block of Church Street.  He called officers to the scene but as they arrived, Gomez had returned to the vehicle and started to leave the area.

Officers followed him until they stopped the vehicle at the public parking lot at Cedar Drive and Cathcart Street.  Officer used a “high-risk” stop, witch is standard procedure for a stolen vehicle.

David Gomez Booking Photo

Gomez was taken into custody at gunpoint.  “We just never know what the driver of a stolen vehicle has been up too or what they are planning.” Santa Cruz Police Department’s Deputy Chief Steve Clark wrote in the Department’s weekly Blog.

After taken Gomez into custody, Officers searched his vehicle and found a loaded revolver.  A further search revealed heroin and a full heroin injection kit, that contained needles, tie offs, alcohol wipes, cooking caps and cotton balls that were packaged in a plastic container.

Officers also found power tools and identification of other people in the vehicle.  Mr. Gomez was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of vehicle thief, possession of narcotics, carrying a loaded weapon in a vehicle or public place and carrying a loaded firearm.

His bail has been set at 25,000.00 dollars.  He has also has been affiliated with a Sureno Street Gang.

The stolen vehicle was returned to its rightful owner.

Read More:

Santa Cruz Police Department Blog: Alert Parking Enforcement Officer Reports Stolen Car That Leads to Arrest for Drugs and Gun

SANTA ANA – Early Thursday morning (2:00 AM) three Asian males in a black truck robbed a man of his money near Hazard Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.  Fresh from an ATM withdrawal, the victim was coerced to drive his vehicle and follow the black truck to the 3500 block of Boyer Avenue, a dead end street, where the thieves took his money and car keys.

As police officers responded they spotted a vehicle matching the description and tried to get its driver to stop.  Instead, the suspects fled.

Michael Tran Nguyen

The truck and its occupants continued for 30 minutes through five cities, finally ending at Lampson Avenue and West Street in Garden Grove.  The end of this escapade also included an officer-involved shooting that did not result in any injuries, as no suspects or officers were shot.

Justin Quinnaphonh Phabmixay, 21 and on parole, and Michael Tran Nguyen, 29 and on probation, were arrested and taken to the Santa Ana PD jail. Their charges include suspicion of robbery, kidnapping and evading.

One of the confiscated guns

A third suspect jumped from the truck during the pursuit and has yet to be identified or captured.  Police encourage anyone with information as to the third suspect’s identity to call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-OCCS.

read More:

KTLA: SA police fire on armed robbery suspects

LATIMES: Shots fired, two arrested in police chase

TEHACHAPI — A suspect sought in connection with a shooting that forced a local elementary school into lockdown earlier this month, was arrested by police on Wednesday afternoon.

Anthony Pina, 26, was booked into the Kern County Jail on charges of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and gross negligent discharge of a firearm, after he was taken into custody around 2:45 p.m. in the 400 block of East “F” Street in Tehachapi on March 12.

His bail is set at $500,000.

According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, witnesses informed authorities that Pina shot at another Hispanic male near Santa Maria Drive and Madre Street in Golden Hills at around 10:45 a.m. back on Tuesday, March 4.

“The suspect then fled in a vehicle towards Valley Boulevard, before fleeing the area on foot.”  KCSO Sgt. Doug Wilson said.

Wilson also added that officials are pursuing other charges and the incident remains under investigation. He also said it doesn’t appear to be gang related.

Read more:

Tehachapi News: Man arrested in connection to GH Elementary lockdown

REDDING – On Wednesday this week we reported a story of John Charles Wilkinson who, according to police, was arrested when police were investigating reports of people trying to go through cars at the Hilltop Garden Inn on Bechelli Lane near Interstate 5 and the Sacramento River. Though he wasn’t directly seen as one of the people casing the cars and trying to gain entry, he was spotted nearby and contacted for questioning.

When approached by police, he was said to become violent, threatening them with a stick, saying he would die before going to jail, and fleeing towards the river, falling, and then going into the water. He eventually came out, and was arrested, but not before fighting with a police K9 unit and being subdued by police with their batons.

Someone was seen trying to get into cars parked at the Hilltp Garden Hotel

A person claiming to be a family member contacted CrimeVoice and provided some details that conflict with some of what was reported, and perhaps clarifies some other aspects.

They said they spoke by phone to Wilkinson and an unidentified police officer after the incident. They report that Wilkinson was not actually in the hotel parking lot at all, but at the Texaco gas station across the street, sitting at a picnic table. He says that he witnessed the people who were checking out the cars, and that they left on bikes when police arrived.

They also said that when police approached him to ask him questions, he did have a stick in his hands, but he also stated that he put it down when asked to do so. Then one of the officers told him she was going to handcuff him while they asked questions, and it was then that he ran away, and said they would have to kill him before bringing him back to jail. The police report states that after that he fell down the embankment and was eventually captured with the help of the police dog.

John Charles Wilkinson

The family member also reported that the officer they spoke to said that Wilkinson did in the end apologize for his behavior, and Wilkinson acknowledged that he was wrong to run from them. It was indeed ironic that his only actual offense in the entire incident was his resisting arrest and being uncooperative, and that the individuals who caused the incident by cruising the cars in the lot at 3:30 in the morning got away on their bikes scott free. While Wilkinson, who is listed as a transient in recent police reports, was likely only trying to sleep the night without any trouble.

REDDING – On Wednesday night this week, police called out to a home on Victor Avenue on reports of gunfire.

According to Redding Police, the officers responding to the home at 9:18 pm met up with the man who called in the report, David Pratt, 47, who lived there. He told the officers that he had been in a fight with an Asian man, who pulled a handgun and shot it over Spratt’s head. He said the man then ran away.

Victor Avenue in Redding. Tuesday night saw a shooting and at least on drunk man on the street.

Police searched the area, and it didn’t take too long to find someone who fit the description. Pao Saechao, 37 of Redding, was found nearby. He was also quite drunk, apparently. The officers reported that he was uncooperative and would not give them any information about anything that had happened. The officers kept at it, and eventually received information from someone that it was actually David Spratt, and not Saechao that had fired the shot.

They confronted Spratt with the new story, and eventually he admitted that it was he who had fired the gun. He told them that he became frightened during the fight, and fired into the ground to scare off Saechao.

Police seized the weapon Spratt had fired and have reported the incident to the DA requesting charges be filed against Spratt for negligent discharge of a firearm and for filing a false police report. Saechao, once a potential attempted murder suspect, was arrested and booked for public intoxication and brought to jail to sleep it off.

SONOMA – It looked like Ryan Mahoney was on a major jewelry shopping spree in January, as his credit card was used to buy three gold bracelets worth a total of $6,867.00 at three different jewelry stores, and had visited a forth as well. It turned out Mahoney was not the customer after all, but a known identity theft artist name Eric Aguirre Zatarain from Oakland using fraudulent cards with Mahoney’s name.

When the Sonoma police found out about the fraudulent charges, they examined video surveillance from the jewelry stores, and created a digital flyer with the suspect’s picture to release to Bay Area law enforcement. A detective from San Bruno recognized the man as 28-year-old Zatarain, who is on probation for other identity theft crimes.

Zatarain’s booking photo on file and description, including tattoos, matched the description from the Sonoma jewelry stores. A $100,000 warrant was issued for his arrest.

Last night, Thursday at 7:30, an officer in Dublin spotted Zatarain waiting in a car for an unidentified woman was in a jewelry store trying to buy jewelry herself with fraudulent cards. They were arrested and booked into Alameda County Jail. Zatarain was transferred to Sonoma County to face charges of burglary, identity theft, and theft by forged access card.