Sacto 9-1-1

From Kim Minugh and Stan Oklobdzija:

Sacramento County Coroner's Office officials have identified the victim in Wednesday night's homicide as Curtis James Anderson, 20, of Sacramento.

Anderson was shot dead in a Florin-area apartment complex late Wednesday, according to authorities.

Sacramento County sheriff's deputies responded to the 6700 block of Sunnyslope Drive about 11:30 p.m. after 911 calls reporting gunshots, said Sgt. Tim Curran.

Deputies arrived and found a 20-year-old man inside the Willow Pointe at Lindale apartment complex with at least one gunshot wound to the head.

Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Through the course of their investigation, detectives learned the victim argued with someone who then chased him before the shooting, Curran said.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, he said.

The suspect fled the apartment complex on foot, then in a blue sedan, Curran said.

The suspect is described as an African American man between 35 and 40 years old, 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall with a slim build, Curran said. He was wearing all dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at (916) 874-5115 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento police are seeking the public's help in finding a suspected thief who smiled big for a surveillance camera.

About 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, the woman (left photo) used a stolen ATM card at the Farmers and Merchants bank at 7272 Franklin Blvd., according to a Police Department news release.

A camera in the ATM machine captured the suspect's smiling image.

The suspect is described as a female adult wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. Her hair was pulled back, and she has a large gap between her two front teeth, according to the release.

Anyone with information about this crime or the suspect's identity is asked to call Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text a tip by texting 274637 (CRIMES), entering SACTIP and then the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Kim Minugh:

Call it brotherly love.

Even though just one of them initially was sought by police, three teen boys found themselves on the way to Juvenile Hall on Wednesday after the suspect's older brothers tried to stand up for him, according to a Sacramento Police report.

One of them even took a "fighting stance" with officers, according the report.

The incident began when school resource officers contacted two of the brothers, 14 and 16 years old, while investigating the robbery of a student. As officers put the two brothers in the back seat of patrol cars, a third brother - age 17 - showed up "extremely angry," according to the report.

He took a "fighting stance," apparently exciting the 16-year-old, who proceeded to kick out the window of the patrol car he was sitting in "in support his brother challenging officers to fight," the report states.

Eventually, all three ended up in custody and on their way to Juvenile Hall. Officer Laura Peck said the 14-year-old was booked on suspicion of robbery and participating in a gang, the 16-year-old was booked on suspicion of resisting arrest and vandalism, and the 17-year-old was booked on suspicion of resisting arrest, assault, participating in a gang and injuring, destroying or taking personal property from an officer.

From Hudson Sangree:

Yolo County sheriff's deputies shot and killed a Woodland man who threatened them with a knife Thursday afternoon, according to Woodland police.

Sometime after 2 p.m., three members of the sheriff's anti-gang unit intercepted the 26-year-old pedestrian on a freeway overpass, said police Lt. Charlie Wilts.

Wilts couldn't say why the man had been stopped - or if he was an alleged gang member.

They deputies were in a dark unmarked car, which remained at the shooting scene Thursday, parked at an angle to the sidewalk.

The man brandished a knife, and refused to put it down - causing two of the deputies to fire their sidearms, Wilts said.

A total of four shots were fired, he said.

The man was taken by ambulance to Woodland Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Wilts said.

The man's name would be released by the coroner's office, Wilts said.

The officers names have not been disclosed.

The overpass - where East Gum Avenue crosses Highway 113 - was blocked off for hours.

Woodland police cars and a van from the Department of Justice surrounded the shooting scene.

Because the shooting took place in Woodland, city police will conduct a criminal investigation, while the sheriff's department reviews the deputies' conduct.

The Justice Department had been called in to assist, Wilts said.

Photo by Lezlie Sterling: Woodland police and state Department of Justice crime scene investigators check the scene of a fatal shooting Thursday by members of the Yolo County sheriff's anti-gang unit at East Gum Avenue and Highway 113 in Woodland. Police said the 26-year-old man who died threatened the deputies with a knife.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento County sheriff's deputies arrested a 22-year-old man late Wednesday in connection with Monday's homicide in south Sacramento.

Oscar Ceballos was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail early this morning on one count of murder, according to booking records. A warrant for Ceballos' arrest was issued Tuesday morning, and he was picked up at a friend's house near 8th Avenue and 11th Street, said sheriff's Sgt. Tim Curran.

Ceballos is accused of fatally shooting 34-year-old Jose Martin on 45th Avenue, near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Curran said the men had been arguing all day as part of ongoing dispute between the Ceballos and Martin families, and the conflict culminated in the shooting.

Martin was shot in the chest and died at a local hospital.

Ceballos is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

From Niesha Lofing:

Two prisoners who are serving time for a violent Roseville home invasion robbery and arson will remain in prison, the Third District Court of Appeals has decided.

The court denied the appeal of Octavio Gomez Perez, 23, and Jose Humberto Magana Torres, 25, who claimed evidentiary and jury instruction errors occurred and that the judge made errors in sentencing them during their 2007 trial.

The men are serving 62 years to life in state prison for attempted premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, false imprisonment of an elder, assault with a deadly weapon, arson, auto theft and other crimes, a news release from Placer County District Attorney Bradford R. Fenocchio's office states.

A third man, Heiner Orlando Villeda, 31, pleaded guilty to seven charges before the trial began and is serving a 24-year prison sentence. He was not included in the appeal.

The men broke into a Sun City Roseville home in June 2004 and beat and tied up the couple who lived there. The men then set fire to the home and took a car that was parked in the garage.

Perez and Torres claimed that the trial court judge should not have allowed Villeda's guilty plea to be considered in their own cases during jury instructions, the release states.

The men also claimed the judge allowed hearsay evidence and said their attorneys weren't allowed to cross-examine Villeda about why he pleaded guilty.

The appeals court disagreed, stating that beyond a reasonable doubt, "the jury would have convicted both defendants of the home invasion robbery even had Villeda's guilty plea not been introduced."

From Niesha Lofing:

A Sacramento woman has been ordered to serve more than three years in prison and pay more than $250,000 in restitution for embezzling money from a local charity.

Donna Joe Goodenough (left), 46, was a bookkeeper for Options in Supported Living, a charity that provided 24-hour assistance to people with developmental disabilities, a news release from Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully's office states.

From January 2007 to May 2008, Goodenough issued checks from the business to herself, cashing them at three different check-cashing stores. She also altered the company's paperwork to hide the transactions, the release states.

Goodenough also used the company's credit card for personal expenses.

Authorities learned of the embezzlement after an employee of a company where Goodenough used the credit card called the charity to confirm Goodenough's authority to use the card.

Goodenough, who pleaded no contest to charges of grand theft and tax evasion, was sentenced to three years, four months in state prison and was ordered to pay $225,000 in restitution to Options in Supported Living and $25,900 to the state Franchise Tax Board.

Goodenough had failed to report the $177,000 she stole in 2007 on her state income tax return, tax board officials told The Bee in previous reports.

From Niesha Lofing:

Two fallen Sacramento County sheriff's deputies will be honored this morning as a Hummer decorated to honor slain American and Canadian officers makes an appearance at sheriff's headquarters.

The 2009 National Drive to Remember's Guardian One (left) was scheduled to arrive at 7:30 a.m. at the sheriff's department in downtown Sacramento, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tim Curran stated in a news release.

The Guardian One is a Hummer H3 that's wrapped in graphics honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The names of 141 officers killed in 2008 are displayed on the hood of the vehicle.

Two sheriff's deputies, Deputy Paul De Rouen Jr. and Deputy Larry Canfield, are among those listed.

Canfield was killed in November 2008 while attempting to stop a speeding vehicle on his Rancho Cordova police motorcycle. He crashed into another vehicle that had turned in front of him.

De Rouen died in March 2008 of injuries suffered 22 years earlier when he was hit by a vehicle on a foggy road in Elk Grove while trying to subdue a suspect.

The Guardian One is driven from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Washington, D.C., each year -- more than 5,000 miles -- where it is used during the National Police Week remembrance ceremony, Curran said.

The Guardian One is being driven this year by Vancouver Police Sgt. Steve Gibson and friend Craig Prystay.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

The Sacramento Police Department is looking for a man who tried to sexually assault a woman Tuesday night along 50th Avenue, police officials said.

The woman, in her 20s, was walking home near the 2600 block of 50th Avenue when a man in a minivan asked her for directions, police said. The driver asked if the woman would get in the car with him, and when she refused, the woman noticed that the man had exposed himself, police said.

When the woman tried to walk away, the man exited the car and tried to sexually assault her, police said. The woman was able to flee after a short struggle.

The suspect (left photo) is described as a male between 18 and 21 years old, police said. He stands about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs between 160-170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. His minivan is described as older and either blue or gray, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

A Sacramento woman was sentenced Wednesday to three years and four months in state prison after she pleaded no contest to embezzling about $225,000 from a company that provided assistance to those with development disabilities, the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office announced.

Donna Joe Goodenough (left photo), 46, was also ordered to pay back the money she stole from Options in Supported Living, where she worked as a bookkeeper between January 2007 and May 2008, the district attorney's office said, in addition to $25,900 to the Franchise Tax Board.

Goodenough would issue checks to herself and cash them at several check-cashing businesses, the district attorney's office said. In addition, she used the company credit card for personal expenses.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

A 26-year-old man was shot Wednesday afternoon just a few houses down from where another man was killed Monday, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department officials said.

The man was shot in the shoulder at about 5 p.m., said Lt. Scott Loggins of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. He was rushed to UC Davis Medical Center, and his wounds are thought not to be life-threatening, he said.

Sheriff's deputies are trying to determine whether there was a link between today's shooting and the killing of 34-year-old Jose Martin, who was shot following an argument in the 3700 block of 45th Avenue.

No information was available about the shooter, who witnesses said fled the scene in a white or gold SUV, Loggins said.

From Kim Minugh:

A 22-year-old man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the May 2006 slaying of Kevin Wilson.

Freddie Rimpson III was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on one charge of murder and two charges of attempted robbery. He is the second man to face a murder charge for Wilson's killing: In November, Jayshawn Visa Pierce was convicted of fatally shooting Wilson, 41, and sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

Deputy District Attorney Chris Ore, who prosecuted that case, said Pierce pulled the trigger, but Rimpson, who was a passenger in Pierce's car that night, handed him the sawed off shotgun used to kill Wilson.

In Pierce's trial, Ore alleged that Wilson, a county water quality control employee, was the victim of a botched robbery. Pierce had been trying to score bail money for a friend who had been arrested in San Bernardino, Ore argued.

Rimpson is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

From Chelsea Phua:

A court has denied the appeal of two men convicted of breaking into the home of a senior Roseville couple, tying them up and setting the house on fire in an attempt to kill them, authorities said.

According to a news release from the Placer County District Attorney's office, Octavio Gomez Perez, 23 and Jose Humberto Magana Torres, 25, claimed that evidentiary and jury instruction errors occurred during the trial of the 2004 crime.

In particular, the men claimed that a judge should not have allowed a third defendant's guilty plea to be considered in their own cases. The Third District Court of Appeal disagreed with the contentions, saying that the jury would have convicted Perez and Torres even without the third defendant's guilty plea.

"This decision ensures that these defendants will never victimize any more citizens in the state of California again," Deputy District Attorney Rick Opich said.

During the June 5, 2004, home invasion, the female victim, then 67, managed to untie herself as the house was burning and escape next door for help. The male victim, then 68, became unconscious after breathing too much smoke. He was rescued by a neighbor and public safety personnel, and later recovered from his smoke inhalation injuries.

Perez and Torres were sentenced 62 years to life in state prison after a jury convicted them on 20 counts each in 2007.

The third defendant, Heiner Orlando Villeda, 31, pleaded guilty to seven charges and was sentenced to 24 years to life in prison.

From Kim Minugh:

Local authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying a Sacramento area bank robber who was seen fleeing one of the scenes on a skateboard.

The "skateboarding bandit" is suspected of having robbed a Wells Fargo bank on Madison Avenue about 9:20 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release issued by Sacramento County sheriff's Sgt. Tim Curran. The bandit's second crime came later the same day, when he robbed a Wells Fargo on Gold River Drive, Curran said.

On both occasions, the suspect indicated he had a gun and demanded money from the teller with a note, Curran said. He fled after receiving the money, and in the second robbery, he was seen fleeing on a skateboard.

The suspect was caught on surveillance cameras during both robberies (photos below). Authorities describe him as an Asian male between 20 and 30 years old. He is 5 feet, 5-inches to 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighs between 135 and 145 pounds, has collar-length black hair and wears glasses.

He was seen wearing a black zip-up hooded sweatshirt, a black T-shirt, a black beanie with a brim, and black cotton gloves cut off at the knuckles.

The crimes are being investigated by the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force, which is composed of sheriff's robbery detectives and special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies, or the suspect's identity, is asked to call the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department at (916) 874-5115, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Niesha Lofing:

Yolo County law enforcement and fire personnel are gathering potentially explosive and hazardous material today from a Davis storage unit.

The former owner of the property in the unit, who had been renting the space from Central Davis Storage on Pole Line Road, contacted Davis police after learning that the property had been sold to a new owner, said police Sgt. Scott Smith.

The former owner had failed to pay the rent, and the property was sold at auction.

"The original owner said there's all these things in there that could potentially be bad news," he said.

The owner had been storing property, including a large collection of Vietnam-era equipment, military flares and what could possibly be a grenade, for more than 20 years, Smith said.

"Our take on it is the stuff in there, in the right hands, is totally OK," he said, later adding the "concern being that the new buyer won't know a lot of the intricacies of the chemicals."

Police, firefighters, the Yolo County bomb squad and the Yolo County Department of Environmental Health began working to inventory and seize the property at 7:30 a.m. today and likely will be on scene until about 5 p.m.

The collection has not triggered evacuations of nearby businesses.

"We have full decontamination areas and the fire department is on standby," Smith said. "We're very confident that even if there was a problem, it would be very well contained."

Police do not think the former owner had an underlying motive for storing the items at the facility.

"We don't' think he's a terrorist or anything," Smith said.

Editor's note: Notebook is an occasional series on slices of life found by The Bee's police reporters.

Bee Staff

Tara Singh's job at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville is environmental services worker but for a brief period early Sunday morning he was the eyes for the police hunting a carjacking suspect.

A 74-year-old man and his blind companion came into the center's lobby about 1 a.m., saying his car had been stolen by a woman threatening to stab him with an HIV-contaminated needle. Singh said Wednesday that he and a security guard ran outside.

Singh, 57, of Sacramento saw the suspect race away in the man's car. Singh jumped in his own car, joined by the guard, and pursued the suspect.

They kept police up to date on the suspect's movements via cell phone until a police officer stopped the suspect by ramming the stolen car in a residential area of Granite Bay.

After a brief struggle, officers said they arrested Amber Arlene Page, 29,who has no permanent address, on suspicion of carjacking, robbery, making terrorist threats, assault with a deadly weapon, recklessly evading an officer, resisting arrest, vehicle theft, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police thanked Singh for his contribution to the arrest.

"I did it because I felt sorry for (the victims)," Singh said.

Singh even had the presence of mind to call his supervisor during his pursuit of the suspect.

"She said she was fine with what I was doing but to be careful," Singh said.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento police on Tuesday night arrested a 30-year-old man for the April 10 slaying of 29-year-old Dusty Vasquez, who was gunned down in the doorway of her Hagginwood neighborhood home.

The Police Department's Career Criminal Apprehension Team, assisted by Oakland and San Leandro police officers, arrested David Denson (photo left) in San Leandro at about 7 p.m. He was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail just after midnight on one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder, according to booking records.

Denson is being held without bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.

About 7 a.m. April 10, Sacramento police officers arrived at a home on the 3000 block of Del Paso Boulevard and found Vasquez shot to death in the front doorway. Her brother and mother also had been shot, but survived the attack.

Detectives identified Denson as a suspect early on, but could not find him. Sacramento police Sgt. Norm Leong said no other suspects have been identified in the case.

Leong said detectives are not sure of the motive behind Vasquez's killing.

With Denson behind bars, Sacramento police have made arrests in five of six homicides this year - a remarkably low caseload for detectives, given that Sacramento city saw 15 homicides in the same period in 2008, according to police.

Detectives have identified a possible suspect in the sixth homicide - the fatal shooting of Fernando Munoz in North Sacramento - and are waiting for the District Attorney's Office to finish reviewing the case before an arrest warrant can be sought, Leong said.

Also in 2009, homicide detectives have made arrests in 10 cold cases dating back as far as 1991. Leong said this year's unusually low number of homicides has allowed detectives to revisit and make progress on old cases.

From Chelsea Phua:

The El Dorado County district attorney has issued a warning about people claiming to sell quality stereo equipment at a fraction of its amount.

People are approached in parking lots or on the street and told that the equipment, usually speakers, is worth hundreds or thousands of dollars but the sales people are willing to sell the merchandise at a cheaper price, according to a news release from DA Vern Pierson.

The sellers show victims printed catalogs and brochures or direct them to a purported company Web site, the release states. The transaction is usually conducted in cash.

Once the victim takes the equipment home, they often discover that it wasn't worth the price they paid for it, the release states.

Several citations have been issued to such sellers for conducting business without the licenses, the release states.

From Niesha Lofing:

A Redding couple faces felony charges for running a tax-return scheme and claiming more than $159,000 in false refunds.

A federal criminal complaint accuses Shannon Elaine Ford, 32, and Michael Joseph Ford, 31, of operating a tax return preparation business and recruiting taxpayers, promising them large returns, a news release from acting U.S. Attorney Lawrence G. Brown's office states.

The couple allegedly filed more than 34 tax returns using false tax forms relating to income from nonexistent small businesses. The couple also misdirected federal and state tax return checks to their own bank and credit union accounts, the complaint alleges.

The fraudulent tax returns claimed more than $159,000 in false refunds.

The Fords allegedly ran the scam, which involved more than 20 victims, from March 2004 to March 2007.

Shannon Ford is charged with conspiracy, 34 counts of filing false tax returns, 17 counts of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Michael Ford is charged with conspiracy, five counts of filing false tax returns and seven counts of bank fraud, the release states.

The couple was scheduled to appear Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dale A. Drozd.

From Niesha Lofing:

Police are looking for a teenager suspected of burglarizing a Woodland home along with two other teens Tuesday.

Woodland police were called at 10:41 a.m. Tuesday to the 200 block of Rancho Way, where a homeowner had returned to his house and discovered that it had been burglarized, police Corp. Jack Schubert stated in a news release.

About the same time, neighbors sqaid they saw three teenage boys running southbound on Midway Drive.

Officers searched the area and found two of the boys hiding behind bushes in Woodside Park, he said.

The two boys admitted their involvement and identified the third boy, who remains on the loose, Schubert said.

Officers recovered two laptop computers and two digital cameras.

Two of the boys live in Woodland, while the third is an unreported runaway from Gold River, Schubert said.

Two of the boys are on probation for theft-related charges.

The boys were arrested on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy and booked into juvenile hall. The third boy faces similar charges if he is found, Schubert said.

Police are asking anyone with additional information to call the department at (530) 666-2411 or (530) 661-7800. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office's Major Crimes Unit is investigating a missing person's case.

Isaiah Eli Marsh, 30, has been missing since about April 14, sheriff's officials report in a news release. Marsh's vehicle, described as a black 2003 Ford F350 truck with California license plate 8J41251, is also missing.

Marsh, a Nevada County resident, is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes, officials report.

Anyone with information about Marsh's whereabouts is urged to call the sheriff's Major Crimes Unit at (530) 265-1263.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

The Sacramento Police Department arrested two boys accused of stealing at least six cell phones from people they contacted on Craigslist, the Sacramento Police Department said.

The boys, described as teenagers by police, would contact people selling cellular phones on Craigslist and arrange to meet them at 2841 Albatross Way in the Swanston Estates neighborhood, police said. When the seller showed up, the boys would grab the cell phone and run away, police said. The victim would then realize that 2841 Albatross Way was a vacant home, police said.

The suspects' names and photos are being withheld by police to verify that there were no additional victims, according to a news release. Detectives, however, believe there could be more victims who never reported the thefts, police said.

The two suspects are described as male Latinos standing between 5 feet 1 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall with thin builds and short, dark hair.

Anyone with information or who believes they were a victim is urged to call the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter SACTIP followed by the information.

Bee Staff

A Yuba City man has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in the Oct. 2 death of a bicyclist on Blue Oaks Boulevard in Roseville, according to a news release from the Placer County District Attorney's Office.

Juan Carlos Gomez, 22, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge when he appeared for arraignment today in Placer County Superior Court, the release states. He is also charged with a vehicle code violation of making an unlawful turning movement.

The manslaughter charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in the county jail or a fine, the release states.

The bicyclist, Cory Van Peck, 49, of Antelope, was struck by a pickup truck at about 4:15 a.m. as he rode east on Blue Oaks Boulevard between Del Webb Boulevard and Crocker Ranch Road, the release states.

Gomez is scheduled to return to court for further proceedings on June 1, according to the release.

Bee Staff:

The equation is simple: Spit on a cop, go to jail.

And Sacramento County sheriff's deputies said a Sacramento man decided to put the equation to the test.

Daniel Reynolds, 49, was booked into jail on suspicion of battery on a law enforcement officer, according to a Sheriff's Department summary released Tuesday.

The summary laid out this chain on events:

About 8:45 a.m. on April 21, deputies responded to a report of an altercation at an apartment complex in the 7300 block of Stockton Boulevard.

Deputies said they found Reynolds wanting to square off in a fight with an apartment complex employee. The employee, who didn't want to fight Reynolds, wanted to press charges against Reynolds.

While detaining Reynolds, he allegedly spit on a deputy - twice.

From Kim Minugh:

A fire gutted a vacant two-story home in the Fruitridge neighborhood this morning, according to Sacramento Fire Capt. Jim Doucette.

The fire was quickly controlled, and no one was injured. However, firefighters were concerned about victims potentially being trapped inside because of security bars on the windows of the home, Doucette said.

Firefighters entered the home, and found no one inside. But Doucette warned that people should reconsider the use of safety bars on windows unless they have a safety release on them.

Some bars include a device, such as a pedal, that allows residents to release the bars from the inside of the home in the case of emergency, Doucette said.

Firefighters have the ability to remove bars from the outside, but it takes time, Doucette said.

"If you're trapped inside, it's usually too late," he said.

The cause of this morning's fire is unknown and is being investigated.

From Niesha Lofing:

Roseville police are investigating a collision that badly injured a Citrus Heights motorcyclist.

Police were called at 4:37 p.m. Sunday to an injury crash on northbound Riverside Avenue at the Interstate 80 interchange, police spokeswoman Dee Dee Gunther said.

The motorcyclist rear-ended a Toyota Highlander that was stopped at a red light. The 63-year-old rider, whose identification has not been released, was thrown from his Harley Davidson Electra Glide and suffered head injuries. The motorcycle received minor damage.

The rider was taken to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition.

The rider was wearing a helmet, but police say they do not know if it met federal safety standards.

The two people in the Toyota were unhurt, Gunther said.

The department's Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento police are seeking the public's help in identifying a burglar who ransacked a woman's downtown apartment - while she was there - in broad daylight.

The suspect entered the victim's apartment in the 300 block of J Street early Friday afternoon and rifled through the victim's bedroom, said Sacramento police Officer Konrad Von Schoech. The woman was home at the time, watching television in the living room.

She screamed when the suspect walked into the living room, and the man fled, Von Schoech said. The suspect left carrying a briefcase containing the woman's personal documents, jewelry and bank account information, Von Schoech said.

The suspect was caught on surveillance camera as he left the building (see photo below). Police described him as a thin Hispanic adult with a shaved head. He was wearing a collared shirt under a blue sweater and dark pants, police said.

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or send a text to 274637 (CRIMES) and then enter SACTIP followed by the information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

Bee Staff

Yolo County's District Attorney Jeff Reisig along with some of the county's law enforcement officers will pump iron in a weight-lifting competition to help the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center.

The third annual My Strength Bench Press Competition will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Davis Athletic Club, 1809 Picasso Ave., according to a news release.

The competition is open to the public, both as competitors and spectators. All proceeds from the event will go to the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center.

Also appearing at the event will be Mike Hara, an international heavy lifting champion. Hara will give a lifting demonstration.

The competition features a variety of classes and divisions by ages - 15 years and older - gender and weight ranges. Registration is $25 for adults, $10 for those under 18 (parental consent also is required for the latter).

All proceeds from the event will go to the center. The center educates more than 3,000 youth in schools throughout Yolo County each year about sexual assault and healthy vs. unhealthy behaviors and relationships, according to the release.

Space is limited for the competition. For more information, contact Adrienne Monroe, the center's executive director at (530) 661-6336 or Adrienne.Monroe@sadvc.org

In photo below from left are Davis Athletic Club manager Ryan Beede, Yolo County chief probation officer Don Meyer, Sheriff Ed Prieto, District Attorney Jeff on the bench and Davis Police Department Chief Landy Black.

From Niesha Lofing:

An imprisoned man who could have been freed next year will have more time -- 135 years to life -- to serve after being convicted of committing sex crimes in Yolo County more than 10 years ago.

A jury convicted Victor Anthony Chappale, 46, of Vallejo, of felony rape, sodomy, lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under 14 years old and other sex crimes on Thursday, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced in a news release this week.

The crimes were committed while Chappale was living in Davis and Woodland.

The victims, now adults in their 20s, include Chappale's daughter, who was 12 years old at the time of the crime, and a foster daughter who lived with Chappale when she was between 13 and 15.

The victims testified about their sexual assaults during the trial, and their testimonies were corroborated by other victims. The jury also was presented evidence that Chappale began targeting young women in the 1980s, the release states.

Chappale, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence for killing a man and was scheduled to be paroled in 2010, was charged with the sex crimes in August 2008.

Prosecutors were able to file the charges, despite the crimes having occurred more than 10 years ago, because the law allows for an extended statute of limitations for these types of cases, the release states.

Chappale, scheduled for sentencing Monday, faces a maximum sentence of 135 years to life in state prison.

From Niesha Lofing:

A Sacramento man will serve 19 years in prison for carjacking another man at gunpoint in West Sacramento.

Judge Arvid Johnson on Thursday in Yolo County Superior Court handed down the maximum sentence for Miguel Angel Castillo. In March Castillo was convicted of carjacking with the use of a firearm, a news release from Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig's office stated.

On July 30, 2007, Castillo went to the Merritt Landing boat ramp in West Sacramento, stuck a sawed-off shotgun in the face of a man who was sitting in a truck and told him to get out of the truck if he didn't want to die, the release states.

A few days later, Castillo fled from the truck after being spotted by Sacramento police officers, who arrested him.

Reisig praised Sacramento police in the release for their "excellent follow up investigation."

From Niesha Lofing:

A Sacramento man is facing a possible 20-year prison sentence for swapping child pornography files over the Internet with an undercover FBI agent.

Mark Antonie Lawson, 26, pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to transporting visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to a news release from the office of acting U.S. Attorney Lawrence G. Brown.

Prosecutors said an undercover FBI agent in Buffalo, N.Y., was using an Internet relay chat in March 2003 and came across Lawson, who was using the screen name "Voraneus" and advertising child porn through an "f-serve," a file-sharing program that allows someone to make part of their hard drive available to others, the release states.

The f-serve offered to swap five images from Lawson's computer in exchange for every image uploaded onto Lawson's computer, the release states.

The agent uploaded corrupted files of child porn to Lawson's computer, and in return for providing the upload, the agent was able to download 37 images from Lawson's computer. The agent also was looked at other files saved on Lawson's computer and noticed he had a "well-organized collection of child pornography," the release states.

Lawson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton on July 7.

He faces a maximum statutory penalty of no less than five years and up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a life term of supervised release.

Lawson also will be required to register as a sex offender.

By Kim Minugh and Niesha Lofing

Sacramento County sheriff's detectives are asking for the public's help in seeking a suspect they say gunned down a 34-year-old man in the Fruitridge area Monday night. The Sheriff's Department released photos of the suspect.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Oscar Ceballos (see photos below), 22, on one count of murder, said Sgt. Tim Curran. He is accused of fatally shooting 34-year-old Jose Martin on Monday night, Curran said.

The shooting occurred about 8:45 p.m. Monday. Deputies found Martin lying in the street on 45th Avenue - just off of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and very close to the victim's residence - with at least one gunshot wound to the chest, Curran said.

Martin died at a local hospital.

Witnesses told detectives the two men had been arguing before Ceballos shot Martin, Curran said. The argument had been going on all day, he said.

Detectives identified Ceballos as a suspect immediately, but have not been able to locate him, Curran said. Ceballos lives near the scene of the shooting, and detectives do not have any reason to believe he has left the Sacramento area.

Authorities described Ceballos as Hispanic, 5-foot-8-inches tall and 145 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and multiple tattoos on his neck. Curran said Ceballos should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about Ceballos' whereabouts is asked to call homicide Detective Rob Patton at (916) 606-2227 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department is investigating the killing of a 34-year-old, shot to death near 45th Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in south Sacramento, sheriff's officials said.

At about 8:45 p.m., the man was shot in the chest after getting into a fight with another man in the middle of the street, according to a sheriff's department news release. The victim was taken to UC Davis Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries, sheriff's officials said.

The suspect was last seen fleeing the scene in a green car, according to the sheriff's department. He's described as a Latino man with dark hair in his early 20s, standing between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing between 145 and 160 pounds, sheriff's officials said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department at (916) 874-5115, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP.

By Kim Minugh

An East Sacramento neighborhood sale participant called police Sunday after she realized one customer had decided to do a little shopping beyond the driveway and inside her home.

Police arrested a 45-year-old woman Sunday afternoon after she allegedly stole jewelry from the East Sacramento home while the homeowner was distracted by the sale, said Sacramento police Officer Konrad Von Schoech. He declined to release the suspect's name, pending further investigation.

About 12:45 p.m., the victim was participating in an annual yard sale on the 1400 block of 43rd Street when she noticed a stranger emerging from the back door of her home, Von Schoech said. The victim confronted the woman, who acted as if she was interested in buying items in the homeowner's garage. The homeowner then saw the woman leave in a green Jeep Cherokee, Von Schoech said.

Suspicious, the homeowner went inside and found that some of her jewelry was missing. She then called police, Von Schoech said.

Officers located the Jeep in the 2300 block of U Street, where they also found the suspect and her adult daughter. The 45-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of burglary, as well as three unrelated warrants, Von Schoech said. Her 23-year-old daughter was arrested on two unrelated warrants.

Officers also recovered the stolen jewelry, Von Schoech said.

By Niesha Lofing

A 29-year-old woman is being held in Placer County jail after allegedly carjacking a man and threatening to stab him with an HIV-infected needle in a hospital parking lot.

A 74-year-old Carmichael man had driven a friend to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville about 1 a.m. Sunday and had just gotten out of the car when he was approached by a woman who demanded his keys, said Roseville police spokeswoman Dee Dee Gunther.

"The suspect threatened to stab him with an HIV-infected needle if he did not comply," she said.

No needle was seen.

The victim's passenger got out of the car and the woman drove away in the victim's gray 2006 Mazda sedan.

The two victims went inside and reported the incident to Kaiser staff, who called Roseville police. Kaiser security followed the woman in the stolen vehicle and gave the communications center updates on the car's location and direction of travel, Gunther said.

Officers caught up with the car as it turned into a residential neighborhood in Granite Bay.

At one point the woman, who was driving recklessly, drove onto a dead-end street and officers tried to block her in, but she drove between two patrol cars to get out and narrowly missed hitting them, Gunther said.

The woman fled, but officers again trapped the car in the 9800 block of Wesbourne Way.

After a brief struggle with the woman, officers arrested Amber Arlene Page, who has no permanent address, on suspicion of carjacking, robbery, making terrorist threats, assault with a deadly weapon, recklessly evading an officer, resisting arrest, vehicle theft, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Page is being held on $75,000 bail in Placer County Jail in Auburn.

By Niesha Lofing

Fundraiser will help buy protective vests for Placer K-9s

A local non-profit organization is holding a fundraiser to replace aging protective ballistic vests for Placer County law enforcement canines.

The Foothills K-9 Association is selling raffle tickets and hosting an event Sunday in hopes of raising enough money to replace vests for 15 canines working for the Placer County Sheriff's Department and the Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln police departments, an association news release states.

The ballistic vests last about five years.

Tickets are for sale this week at Animal Nutrition Center. The fundraiser will culminate Sunday with an event featuring prize drawings, K-9 demonstrations and a pet supply expo.

Prizes include a two-night stay at the Resort at Squaw Creek, a cedar dog house, dog beds, dinners for four at local restaurants, and dog food for a year for 12 winners.

The drawings will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Animal Nutrition Center, 1805 Cirby Way, Suite 10, Roseville.

The event will be held in the store and parking lot. Canine handlers and their canine partners will hold narcotics detection and patrol demonstrations, and people will be able to meet and pet the dogs, the release states.

For more information, call the association at (916) 747-7806.

By Niesha Lofing

A Lincoln teen is facing assault charges after he allegedly beat a man nearly unconscious in a Lincoln park.

Lincoln police were called at 2:30 p.m. Friday to Markham Ravine Park on a report of an assault, a police news release states.

Officers found an 18-year-old man who was semi-unconscious and had head injuries from being punched several times.

The man was taken to a local hospital by ambulance and treated.

Officers interviewed witnesses and identified the alleged assailant as a 17-year-old boy. The teen and the victim knew one another, the release states.

The teen was arrested a few hours later on suspicion of felony assault with great bodily injury and was booked into Placer County Juvenile Hall.

His name is not being released because of his age.

From Hudson Sangree:

A suspect in a fatal shooting Friday night has turned himself in, Sacramento police reported.

At 6:15 pm Saturday, James Sanchez Castillo turned himself in at police headquarters without incident, according to Sgt. Norm Leong.

Castillo was wanted after a shooting late Friday that left a 23-year-old Sacramento man dead. The shooting occurred in the 3900 block of 17th Avenue.

Police identified the victim as Leopoldo Velasco III.

Castillo was being booked in the Sacramento county jail on a single count of murder. He remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

Velasco was shot after getting into an argument with his neighbor about 9 p.m., said Lt. Jim Hose of the Sacramento Police Department.

Authorities on Friday identified Castillo, 30, as the suspect.

"It appears to be related to an ongoing dispute," Hose said.

Leong said investigators believed Velasco was visiting his girlfriend at her residence off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard when he got into an argument with Castillo.

The suspect allegedly shot Velasco several times with a handgun after the victim confronted him, police said.

Velasco was taken to UC Davis Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, Leong said.

Bee Staff

Roseville police detectives and the Folsom Police Department SWAT team have arrested a robbery suspect in Folsom, according to a news release.

The SWAT team was called during the action on Thursday because the suspect was possibly armed, according to the Roseville Police Department release. Officers surrounded the house where the suspect was.

The suspect initially refused to surrender but finally gave up without further incident around 7:10 p.m. after an almost 4-hour standoff, the release states.

Scott Christopher Hamilton, 22, of Folsom is being held in the Placer County Jail on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy, the release states. His bail is set at $250,000.

Hamilton is suspected of robbing an 81-year-old Roseville woman on the evening of March 20, the release states.

The woman had just arrived home and was walking from her garage to her door when a male grabbed her purse from her arms and ran away. The victim was frightened, but did not report otherwise being injured, the release states.

Because of the ongoing investigation, a booking photo of Hamilton was not released.

From Chelsea Phua:

A former Placer County sheriff sergeant was sentenced today to 27-year-to-life in prison for the murder of his wife, who disappeared nearly 27 years ago from their Auburn home. The sentence includes the possibility of parole.

Jurors convicted Paul Kovacich Jr., 59, in January of first-degree murder, finding him guilty of killing Janet Kovacich with a firearm.

Before he was sentenced, Kovacich said, "I don't know what or who to believe. All I know is that I love my wife and would never harm her."

"I look at my daughter and I see my wife. I look at my son and see her tenderness."

Judge Mark S. Curry called the killing "calculated and selfish." The judge said that this was time for justice to be served because the defendant had the "good fortune" to have lived free for nearly 27 years.

Kovacich was sentenced under the law in force in 1982. His wife disappeared in September of that year and a judge ruled years later that she died the day of her disappearance.

Paul Kovacich has always maintained he did not know what happened to his wife. The couple had argued about getting a divorce the morning she disappeared, he said.

Janet Kovacich had made a 11:10 a.m. appointment at a school where she wanted to transfer her children, but she never showed up at the school, or call to cancel the appointment.

Paul Kovacich said he was home that morning and had offered her a ride, but she had refused. She had breasts augmentation surgery the week before and was in too much pain to drive herself. He said when he left the house, she was getting ready to go out.

Prosecutors said Paul Kovacich, at that time a supervisor assigned to the Placer County jail, was the last person to see her alive.

In addition, his calm demeanor following her disappearance was curious behavior and it raised some suspicions, they said. He waited until three days later, on Sept. 11, 1982, to file a formal missing persons report.

The defense argued that a witness saw a disheveled Paul Kovacich soon after his wife disappeared. When asked about his appearance, Paul Kovacich said he had stayed up all night looking for his wife. Search teams combed the wooded areas near the Kovacichs' home on Forest Court and canvassed her usual haunt, but to no avail.

In October 1995, two hikers walking on the dry lake bottom of Rollins Lake near Colfax noticed a weathered, partial human skull partially buried in the silt. A hole in its right side was later determined to be the wound of a bullet.

In early 2007, sophisticated DNA extraction methods produced results showing that the skull had "a near statistical certainty" that it belonged to Janet Kovacich.

Click here for an earlier story on the case.

Bee Staff

The Sacramento Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying an armed robbery suspect, according to a department news release.

On April 4 at 3:10 p.m., a male suspect robbed at gunpoint a store clerk and customer at the Fast Stop, 5601 Wilkinson Street, the release states. The suspect ordered the victims to the floor and fled to a waiting vehicle.

The suspect escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured, the release states.

The suspect is described as a white male, 22-29 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, weights weighing between 145 and 165 pounds. He has a thin build and was unshaven, the release states.

He wore a long black wig, dark sunglasses, a blue Colts hat, a black hooded sweatshirt, white T-shirt, dark blue jeans and black/white tennis shoes, the release states.

A witness believes the suspect has a faded tattoo of a red arrowhead on his left hand.

The vehicle in which he escaped is described as a white 4-door, possibly an older Toyota Camry (square shape).

The Sacramento Police Department asks anyone with information to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Andy Furillo:

A judge today sentenced Rolando Gallego to 16 years to life in prison for his second-degree murder conviction earlier this year in the 1991 Elk Grove stabbing death of his aunt.

Gallego, 40, had maintained his innocence in the slaying of Leticia Estores, 52, who sufffered more than 70 knife wounds when she was killed while cooking a meal in her Laguna West Way home, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael W. Sweet said from the bench today.

Prosecutors charged that Gallego murdered his aunt for money to pay his gambling debts.

Gallego wasn't arrested in the case until July 2006, after investigators matched his DNA - taken from a cigarette butt the defendant had discarded on a street while under surveillance in San Francisco - to evidence lifted the previous year from a bloody towel found in the victim's house.

Jurors convicted Gallego on the second-degree murder count on Feb. 25.

At his sentencing today, Gallego said "I'm sorry" to the victim's family. He said he loved his slain aunt "like a mother."

His attorney, Sue Karlton, of the public defender's office, said that Gallego's apology was not an admission of guilt. She said she planned to file an appeal on the case today.

Bee Staff

Police dispatchers are vital and usually anonymous links in the police response system. But a Placer County dispatcher has stepped from behind the radio to receive an honor.

Jennifer Steiner, a Placer County Sheriff's Department dispatcher, has been named the 2009 trainer of the year for the Northern California Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Department.

Steiner was presented the award by Sheriff Ed Bonner (photo below) between working calls, the release states. Her peers also selected her as dispatcher of the year.

"Jennifer has demonstrated the highest levels of personal and professional conduct and performance in the line of duty," Bonner said in the release. "She has the instinct that is absolutely critical in an effective dispatcher."

By Bill Lindelof

Redding police have arrested three people in the apparent bludgeoning of a man who lived in a canyon.

The body of Timothy Alcorn, 47, was found near a wooded trail behind the old Masonic Lodge off Lake Boulevard and Masonic Avenue. An autopsy Tuesday showed that he had died from being hit on the head.

Late Thursday night, police said they arrested Albert Curtis Sanchez, 18, of Redding on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping and murder. Two male minors were also arrested on suspicion of homicide and taken to Shasta County Juvenile Hall.

Police said that on Saturday a witness saw Alcorn leaving the parking lot of a Redding convenience market covered in blood.

The witness said that Alcorn related that he had been assaulted. On Sunday police searched a day camp in a Redding-area canyon near where blood and Alcorn's jacket had been found.

Investigators searched again Monday and Alcorn's body was eventually found by a citizen.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

Folsom Police have arrested a man after an hours-long standoff at a house in the 100 block of Marble Canyon Drive, police officials said.

At about 3:30 p.m., the Folsom Police Department was assisting the Roseville Police Department in serving an arrest warrant on an armed robbery suspect in Folsom, said Off. Michelle Beattie, Folsom Police Department spokeswoman.

The man, identified by Folsom Police as Scott Hamilton, 22, was alone inside the house and refused to exit, she said.

Folsom Police Department SWAT surrounded the house and set up a perimeter in the neighborhood, Beattie said.

The suspect surrendered at about 7:10 p.m., Beattie said.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

The Sacramento Police Department is on the hunt for a stolen assault rifle taken Wednesday from an unmarked Santa Rose Police Department car, police said.

The SUV was parked at the Elephant Bar at 1500 Arden Way between 2:30 and 5:45 p.m., said Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong. When the officers emerged, they found the rifle and several other items missing, Leong said.

"The window wasn't broken. We're not sure how they got in," Leong said.

The Santa Rose Police officers were in Sacramento for training, Leong said.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with last year's slaying of a homeless man in south Sacramento.

Hung Troung was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail about noon today, according to jail booking records. He is accused of killing 36-year-old Hung Nguyen by striking him in the head with a piece of concrete, according to police.

Nguyen was found unconscious near A&A Market in the 6600 block of Stockton Boulevard on Jan. 11, 2008. He was taken to the UC Davis Medical Center, where he later died.

Detectives believe Truong and Nguyen previously had verbal arguments, and had argued shortly before Truong struck Nguyen in the head with the piece of concrete, said Sgt. Norm Leong.

Police arrested Truong this morning without incident.

From Kim Minugh:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is offering a $50,000 reward in last year's unsolved killing of a teen at a south Sacramento home.

Emanuel Michel was 18 when he was gunned down the morning of Oct. 18 at a home on the 2100 block of 57th Avenue. He had been gathered with friends, according to Sacramento police, when a group of uninvited guests showed up. After being asked to leave, the uninvited group fired gunshots at the house as they fled.

The governor's reward brings to $55,000 the total reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Michel's killer or killers. In December, the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation announced a $5,000 reward in the case.

Police have said that the uninvited guests shouted gang affiliations, though detectives do not believe Michel or his friends had gang ties. In a news conference to announce the initial $5,000 reward, police authorities called the homicide "a tragic event." The governor issued the latest reward at the request of Chief Rick Braziel, according to a news release.

Police have no suspects. They have released descriptions of two cars believed to be involved in the homicide: A 2003 four-door Chevrolet Impala, gray or white in color with no rims, believed to be the car carrying the gunman; and an older, dark maroon or black Buick with a silver luggage rack on the trunk.

Family and friends described Michel as giving, religious and protective of his family, despite being the youngest of seven children. He was a volunteer firefighter in Woodland and aspired to become a certified emergency medical technician and full-time firefighter. His mother was presented the high school diploma he earned from Woodland High School at his funeral.

Anyone with information about Michel's killing is asked to call Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous.

Bee Staff

Jan Scully, Sacramento County district attorney, this week introduced the newest member of her staff who has pedigree papers - literally.

Reggie, a pure breed standard poodle, will work as a compassion dog to help comfort witnesses and victims, according to a news release from the DA's office.

Scully introduced Reggie to the Board of Supervisors earlier this week as part of her noting National Crime Victims' Week, the release states.

Reggie was donated to the DA's office by the St. Francis Pet Education and Training Center in Fair Oaks.

"Reggie provides victims and witnesses with support and peace during their involvement in the criminal justice process - from taking interviews to providing court testimony," Scully said in the release. "He is a valued member of our office, lifting the spirits of those who are often facing the most harrowing time in their lives."

Bee Staff:

The Sacramento Police Department is looking for David Denson (photo left), 30, who investigators suspect shot to death Dusty Rose Vasquez, 29, and wounded her mother and brother about 7 a.m. April 10 in the 3000 block of Del Paso Boulevard.

Denson was identified in a photo lineup, detectives said this week.

Investigators also want to speak to Denson's girlfriend, 25-year-old Donann Fox.

Witnesses said the shooting followed an argument between Vasquez and her assailant on the front porch of the house, police said.

Denson is described as African American, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Denson and Fox fled in silver 2009 Mazda5 with the license number 6GAF706, detectives said. The car was rented to Fox, detectives said.

Anyone with information about Denson is urged to contact Crime Alert at (800) AA-CRIME or (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Kim Minugh and Bill Lindelof:

A Rancho Cordova woman announced as missing this morning has returned home safe, authorities said Thursday.

Sacramento Sheriff's deputies had been asking for help in finding 23-year-old Adeeba Nisha Ahamed, who had been missing since Wednesday when she was seen in the parking lot where she worked, 103000 Fair Oaks Boulevard.

Ahamed had been described as an at-risk person because it was out of character to not stay in contact with people she knows.

She returned home today, uninjured, according to authorities.

From Bill Lindelof:

A multi-use helicopter has become a powerful new law enforcement, firefighting and search-and-rescue tool for the Placer County Sheriff's Department.

The department recently received the AS350B3 helicopter from American Eurocopter, a machine that is just what the department needs, said pilot and Sgt. Van Bogardus in a news release from the helicopter's maker.

"It provides us with the combination of performance and flexibility we need, plus the lift capacity and hoist capability to perform our expanding mission profile," Bogardus said.

Stretching from valley suburbs to foothill ravines and peaks of the Sierra Nevada, a range of Placer County terrain will be home to the copter's mission. American Eurocopter said it can provide power, lifting capacity and flexibility for missions as diverse as patrol, aerial photography and rescue.

The helicopter will go into service later this year.

The Placer County Supervisors approved purchase of the helicopter two years ago for $3.5 million. A department official said the new helicopter will be able to carry five people and fly at higher altitudes than the copter now in the department's hangar.

From Bill Lindelof:

Woodland police detectives have identified the man they suspect held up the Umpqua Bank on Main Street as Benjamin Claaseen and caution that he is considered armed and dangerous.

Claaseen (left), 43, suspected of taking cash in the bank robbery Tuesday, has a history of violent behavior, police said.

The robbery occurred at about 10 a.m. Tuesday when a man entered the bank on the 200 block of Main Street and handed a note to the teller demanding money. After cash was handed over, he fled the bank and walked toward the nearby Nugget Market.

Detectives said the robber's image was captured on camera at the bank and the market. Although a weapon was not used during the crime, detectives say they believe he might have subsequently armed himself.

"It is our hope that Mr. Claaseen will turn himself into the police department," said police Detective Dan Letamendi in a press release.

Claaseen is about 6 feet tall, weighs 215 pounds and has blond hair and hazel eyes. He also has tattoos on both arms.

Anyone who can provide information about Claaseen is asked to call the Yolo Emergency Communications Agency at (530) 666-2411.

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department burglary detectives are seeking Ryan Wayne Smith on a felony no-bail arrest warrant for suspicion of burglary, Sacramento Crime Alert officials said.

Smith (left photo) is described as age 28, 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 170 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. He was last known to live in the 9100 block of Greenback Lane in Orangevale, authorities report.

Anyone with information about Smith is urged to contact Crime Alert at (800) AA-CRIME or (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

Davis Police are looking for a man suspected of robbing a North Davis bank Wednesday afternoon.

According to police, a white man between 30 to 35 years old entered the Save Mart Grocery Store on 1900 Anderson Road and robbed a Bank of America branch inside. No weapon was seen in the robbery, police said.

After robbing the bank, the man was last seen running through the parking lot across Covell Boulevard and then later in the 600 block of Alvarado Avenue, police said.

The man is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall with a medium build and short brown hair, police said. He has a goatee and a receding hairline and was last seen wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with the words "Sin City" on the front, according to police.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Davis Police Department Investigations Division at (530) 747-5430.

From Chelsea Phua:

A 40-year-old Sacramento woman died Tuesday from injuries she sustained in a four-vehicle accident that happened over the weekend in Rancho Cordova, authorities said on Wednesday.

The accident occurred at about 1:25 p.m. on Saturday at Coloma Road and Aramon Drive.

Investigators from the Rancho Cordova police department, which contracts with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for police services, said they believe that a blue 1996 Ford Ranger, driven by a 16-year-old boy, was westbound on Coloma Road when the driver applied his brakes for unknown reasons and entered into a skid.

A gray 1998 Honda Prelude was behind the Ranger and collided with it. Both vehicles slid into oncoming traffic on Coloma Road.

The Ranger collided with a white 2004 Ford Escape and a white 2004 International tow truck. The Escape was driven by a 60-year-old woman who had a 40-year-old passenger, her daughter.

The mother and daughter were taken to Mercy San Juan Medical Center, where the daughter later succumbed to her injuries, investigators said.

The driver of the Ranger was taken to UC Davis Medical Center. Drivers of the other two vehicles were not injured.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call RCPD Traffic Unit Detective Ron Brazell at 916-875-9623.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

The Sacramento Police Department is asking the public's help in identifying two men who robbed a woman April 11 inside the Bonfare Market on 3100 Broadway in Oak Park.

According to police, at about 5:35 p.m., the woman was buying a pack of cigarettes with a $100 bill. When the clerk handed her the change, a man who had been waiting behind her ran up and grabbed the money from her hand, police said.

The man is described as black and is about 18 to 21 years old, police said. He is between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 8 tall and weighs about 170 pounds and has black dreadlocks, a light moustache and a thin build, police said. He was last seen wearing a grey zip-up sweatshirt and jeans, police said.

A second man, with whom the robber entered the store, is described as black with one earring, police said. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with a marijuana plant on it over a red long-sleeve shirt with black pants, police said.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information about the theft to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.

Bee Staff

Early this morning Roseville Police officers responded to two burglaries and arrested four suspects, thanks to good citizen reporting and two dogs, according to a news release from the Roseville Police Department.

At midnight Wednesday morning, a resident in the 500 block of Sixth Street heard a suspicious noise and saw a man crawling in through a window of an unoccupied motor home stored in a commercial storage lot, according to the release from Dee Dee Gunther, Roseville Police Department spokeswoman.

Gunther described these chains of events in the release:

Roseville officers, including Officer Scott Miszkewycz and his canine partner Apollo, arrived minutes after the 911 call and began checking the lot. Apollo pulled Miszkewycz toward one of the motor homes, and officers surrounded it. The suspect heard the dog, and surrendered to officers without incident.

Ryan Erich Steinbrecher (photo left), 19, of Roseville was arrested on suspicion of burglary and a Sacramento County warrant for theft. He is being held in the Placer County Jail on $30,500 bail.

Two hours later and three blocks away, another dog played a part in stopping a vehicle burglary.

At 2 a.m., a resident of the 300 block of Sixth Street got up to let his dog out, and noticed a male walking up to a neighbor's parked pickup truck. The resident heard a banging sound and the sound of glass breaking.

Roseville officers arrived on scene minutes after the 911 call, detained three suspects and recovered a toolbox and stereo speakers that had been taken from the burglarized pickup.

Antonio Leyva (photo bottom left) and Sergio Gomez-Romero (bottom photo right), both 18, of Roseville, were arrested on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property. Both are currently being held in the Roseville Police Department Jail on $10,000 bail.

A 17-year-old male from Roseville was arrested on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen property, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving while unlicensed. He was taken to Placer County Juvenile Hall.

Police Chief Mike Blair said, "The citizen witnesses in both of these cases did a great job. They remained out of sight, they didn't confront the suspects, and they called 911 immediately to report suspicious activity. Their calls to police made all the difference."

Bee Staff

A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of suspects in who caused more than $10,000 in damage to trucks and buildings at an elementary school district's warehouse and a private business, according to a Placer County Sheriff's Department news release.

Placer County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for anonymous information about the damage to trucks and buildings at the Dry Creek Elementary School District warehouse on Viking Place in an unincorporated area of Roseville, the release states.

Sometime between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, vandals used rocks and metal pry bars to pry electrical panels and telephone boxes off walls and destroy the switches and wiring inside the boxes, the release states. Graffiti was painted on a wall, the release states.

The vandals destroyed two trucks belonging to a neighboring business in the same industrial complex, the release states. The vandals used rocks to shatter windshields, windows and mirrors, as well as all of the headlights and turn signals, the release states. The vandals also used metal objects and rocks to damage the bodies of the trucks.

Anyone with information is asked to call Placer County Crime Stoppers toll-free at (800) 923-8191. All information remains anonymous and is confidential. Or call the Placer County Sheriff's Department at (530) 889-7800.

From Bee Staff:

Three drivers were arrested on suspicion of DUI and one driver was arrested for an outstanding warrant during a recent DUI/driver's license checkpoint conducted by the Citrus Heights Police Department, according to information released today.

More than 1,000 vehicles passed through the checkpoint between 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 a.m. Saturday on Greenback Lane, west of Sunrise Boulevard, Lieutenant Eric Mattke said in a news release.

In addition to the arrests, 15 drivers were given sobriety tests and thirteen vehicles were towed, Mattke said.

The checkpoint is one in a series that are being funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the release states.

From Bill Lindelof:

Woodland police are investigating an argument between sisters that ended with one woman being stabbed in the head.

Police were called to the 1700 block of El Paseo Drive about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

"We went to a disturbance at a residence where two sisters got into an argument that ended with one stabbing another sister with a knife," said Woodland police Lt. Charlie Wilts. "The wounds were not life-threatening."

Cynthia Antti, 36, of Sacramento was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon in the family dispute.

Her sister Damaris Carston, 38, of Woodland suffered a wound to the forehead.

From Bill Lindelof:

University of California, Davis, police Officer Ralph Nuno was recently stationed at the Shields Library, but he wasn't their to investigate overdue books.

Nuno works full time on campus bicycle issues. He patrols the quad area trying to encourage safety among bicycling students.

Today, UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza will formally open the new substation in the library where Nuno is based.

From Bill Lindelof:

Redding police have begun a homicide investigation into the apparent bludgeoning death of a man.

The body of Timothy Alcorn, 47, was found near a wooded trail behind the old Masonic Lodge off Lake Boulevard and Masonic Avenue. An autopsy Tuesday showed that he had died from being hit on the head.

Police had been looking for Alcorn for a couple of days. Their investigation revealed that on Saturday a witness saw Alcorn leaving a convenience store parking lot covered in blood.

The witness said that Alcorn claimed to have been assaulted. On Sunday police searched a day camp in a Redding-area canyon near where blood and Alcorn's jacket had been found.

Investigators searched again Monday, and Alcorn's body was found by a citizen. Redding police ask that anyone with information contact the investigations department at (530) 225-4214.

From Bill Lindelof:

Alert employees at a Folsom Costco store have helped police arrest three men suspected of stealing video-game players.

Folsom police arrested Andre Yeremenko, 29, Fidel Barajas, 29 and James Riley, 19, all of Sacramento, on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy in connection with the theft of Sony PS3 PlayStations.

Police said they were aided by Costco employees on the alert for thieves who have been shoplifting the players from area stores.

Authorities said that about 7:45 p.m. Monday Costco employees reported two men were inside the store, apparently intent on stealing Sony PS3 PlayStations. The men exited the store through a back door and jumped into an awaiting car.

Employees chased the silver 2005 Honda Accord, and Folsom police caught the vehicle at Folsom-Auburn Road and Greenback Lane, arresting the three suspects.

Costco employees told police that they had been alerted by company loss-prevention officers about a rash of PlayStation thefts.

From Bill Lindelof:

Officers arrested a man this morning after chasing him from Placer County to Sacramento County, a race that ended with the suspect crashing a pickup truck into a residential yard.

Brandon Black, 24, of Orangevale faces a litany of charges. He was booked on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle, felony evading of a police officer, being under the influence of a controlled substance, being in possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, hit and run and driving under the influence of drugs.

The chase started on westbound Interstate 80 near Rocklin Road about 4:20 a.m. when Rocklin police tried to pull over Black, suspecting the truck he was driving had been stolen that morning in Rocklin. Refusing to yield, Black headed toward Sacramento County at high speed, authorities said.

Black crashed the truck, plowing through a yard, clipping the corner of a house on Gordian Way in Orangevale and barrelling into two fences before stopping, the California Highway Patrol said.

Authorities say Black ran from the truck, hopped a fence and hid until he was located with the help of a police dog and arrested.

From Chelsea Phua

A 27-year-old Granite Bay man accused of killing his friend will face a third trial, according to the Placer County District Attorney's office.

A Placer County judge denied the defense's request to dismiss the charges against Caleb John Madsen, who is accused of stabbing to death his friend, Christopher Worth, on July 9, 2005.

Superior Court Judge Mark S. Curry ruled Tuesday that there is substantial evidence to proceed with a third trial against Madsen on July 27. He also imposed a gag order on attorneys and related parties, preventing them from discussing the case.

Two previous trials for Madsen ended in hung juries. In 2008, the jury deadlocked 7 to 5 in favor of conviction. Earlier this year, another jury deadlocked 10 to 2 for conviction.

Madsen's attorney, Mary Beth Acton, argued that the evidence against her client does not reach beyond reasonable doubt and that she anticipates no new evidence would be introduce in a third trial, according to a news release by the District Attorney's office.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Bill Marchi said that the evidence remains strong and that the 10 to 2 vote by a jury proves it.

From Bill Lindelof:

Not only ants can put a damper on a picnic

While the mood at the 95th annual University of California, Davis' Picnic Day was said to be as sunny as the weather on Saturday, there were pockets of problems, according to the Davis Police. Picnic Day by the numbers:

-- 17 officers saturated City of Davis Saturday night targeting drunk drivers.

-- DUI saturation resulted in three drunken driving arrests.

-- 88 vehicles stopped.

-- 24 drivers put through the field sobriety test.

-- 5 citations for vehicle code violations.

-- 1 vehicle towed.

-- 31 alcohol-related calls for service for Friday and Saturday, resulting in 16 arrests for public intoxication.

-- 6 DUI arrests for the two days.

From Chelsea Phua

Placer County's Multidisciplinary Interview Center, where child victims of abuse are interviewed by professionals, has been moved to a new building at the Bill Santucci Justice Center in Roseville.

Previously housed in a small caretaker's house at the DeWitt Center in Auburn, the Interview Center now shares the second floor with the District Attorney's office.

"Our offices at the Santucci Center are much roomier and are connected with the DA's office," said Fiona Tuttle, the Interview Center's coordinator. "This is a much more professional feel."

Officials said the new Interview Center will enhance their ability to serve the children of Placer County and to accommodate the growing population and the increase in reports of child abuse.

In the past three years, the Interview Center has interviewed 430 children, including a record number of 160 in 2008. That number was 94 in 2000, authorities said.

The Interview Center was created in 1992 and its staff works with the District Attorney's office, law enforcement agencies, KidsFirst, Child Protective Services and other related agencies to investigate cases in which sexual abuse against children were alleged. Victims have ranged from 2 to 18 years old.

The new office of the center features a family waiting area, a victim's service area, two interview rooms and two conference rooms. Dolls, toys and coloring books are available for the children to make them feel comfortable.

"We try to put the children at ease because kids don't really like talking about abuse," Tuttle said. "There are some very private and horrible things that they have to verbalize."

In some cases, children choose to articulate the abuse they've suffered by using dolls or drawing pictures. Evidence from these interviews has helped prosecutors to proceed with many cases of abuse.

Suzanne Gazzaniga, senior deputy district attorney, said the partnership with the Interview Center is "a critical step in providing the best possible investigations and prosecutions of the most horrific crimes committed against children."

Grandma phone scam, property tax 'fee' back again

Bee Staff

Two familiar scams - the property tax service 'fee' and the emergency phone call to a grandparent - have resurfaced in the Sacramento area recently, according to callers to The Bee.

In the former, property owners in El Dorado County are reporting a new wave of letters that say the letter recipient will be hit with a "late fee" if he or she doesn't respond to an offer to file documents asking that their property be reassessed. The property owner also must pay for filing the documents. The property owner is directed to send money to a Los Angeles post office box.

The property owner can request a reassessment directly from the county tax assessor and it doesn't cost a dime, assessors in the Sacramento area report. The offer in the letter may be legal but assessors say it is misleading at the very least.

In the phone scam, a grandparent receives a frantic late-night phone call from a grandchild who says he or she is in danger of being thrown in jail if they don't immediately get bail money.

The scammer directs the grandparent to wire money to an out-of-town address.

Below are two stories The Bee published this year on the scams:

Published Feb. 22, 2009

BOGUS BILL VOWS TO CUT TAX VALUES

By Stan Oklobdzija

stano@sacbee.com

These days, even fake bills come with late fees.

County assessors all over the Sacramento region are warning homeowners about a company trying to bill homeowners for something they already get for nothing.

And in some cases, the company is telling property owners they will be hit by a $30 fee if they are late to respond.

The deceptive offer makes the rounds whenever property values decline around the state, said Kathleen Kelleher, Sacramento County's assistant assessor.

"It's certainly misleading," Kelleher said. "The service they're providing for a fee can be done for free at the assessor's office."

Earlier this month, Vic De Stefani of Folsom received one such letter in the mail, saying that because of the recent housing slump, his home's value was now overassessed by about $150,000. Getting a reassessment on his home would save him about $2,000 in property taxes annually, the letter said.

All he'd need to do was mail $179 to a post office box in Los Angeles, the letter said.

But if he didn't send the letter in by Feb. 27, the service would cost another $30, it said.

"It's the second one I've got," said De Stefani, who bought his home in November. "The original one said that for $95 they could lower my taxes by $750 (annually)."

De Stefani said he was immediately skeptical, but decided to check out the company with county officials.

"I showed them the letter and they just laughed," he said.

Kelleher said her office won't begin considering new property values until June.

"We're in a period of time where it's too late for last year and too early for next year," she said. "We kind of question why there's any urgency to file."

Statements from assessor offices in Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties warn of similar mailers making the rounds in their communities. Like Sacramento County, they offer their reassessment services for free and won't begin the reviews until this summer.

"The best thing property owners can do ... is to hold onto their $179," Placer County Assessor Kristen Spears advises on her office's Web site.

Yolo County Assessor Joel Butler calls the offer a scam on his office's Web site.

The company that mailed De Stefani the letter -- "Property Tax Reassessment" -- has been cited by numerous county assessor offices across the state as using deliberately deceptive mailers, according to news reports.

A person answering the phone at the toll-free number listed on one of their solicitations referred all questions to a company e-mail address. An e-mail for comment on this story was not returned.

Far from unusual, Property Tax Reassessment is one of 13 companies on a watch list compiled by the Sacramento County Office of the Assessor.

Kelleher said her office has seen this type of ruse whenever property values take a plunge.

"In the 90s ... we saw these crop up," she said. "They fell off when the market improved."

These companies have even attracted the attention of California Attorney General Jerry Brown, who referred to mailers such as these as a "blatant and costly scam," in a recent press release.

The attorney general's office advises anyone victimized by this type of operation to contact it.

De Stefani said he could see how people would get fleeced by the letters, but at 80 years old, he said he's learned some things.

"If anyone wants your money ahead of time, watch out!" he said.

January 28, 2009

'Grandma' phone scam targeting Redding area

From Niesha Lofing:

Over the past few months, several residents in the Redding area have received calls from scammers claiming to be a relative in trouble. The con artist asks the victim to send money to help, according to a Redding police news release.

There are several variations of the scam, but the most common one involves a late-night phone call from someone who starts the conversation by saying something similar to "Hi Grandma. Guess who this is?" the release states.

When the victim uses the name of one of their grandchildren, the caller pretends to be that person and asks for money.

In several cases, the scammer says they have been arrested and need bail money. The caller is always out of the area and needs money right away, the release states.

Victims are asked to send money through Western Union or MoneyGram. If they caller says they need money for bail, they say they have a friend who will pick up the money.

Sometimes the caller will put another person on the phone who claims to be a law enforcement officer or jailer.

The money is sent out of the country in the majority of the cases, the release states.

Redding police offer the following suggestions to avoid becoming a victim:

• If you get a call from someone saying "Guess who this is," respond with "I don't know. Who is it?"

• If the caller knows your name and the name of the person they are claiming to be, confirm their identity by asking personal questions like their birth date, mother's name and the name of the street where they lived as a child.

• If they say they are in jail or at a police station, ask which one and the phone number so you can call back. Use directory assistance or the Internet to confirm the phone number and call back if needed.

• Call the parents of the person they are claiming to be and confirm the caller's whereabouts.

Police also suggest using extreme caution when sending money by Western Union or MoneyGram.

From Bill Lindelof:

Classes were back to normal this morning at Sierra College after a bomb scare and evacuation Monday night.

A caller to the college at 6 p.m. reported overhearing a conversation about bombs on campus and plans for an armed takeover. That prompted the evacuation of hundreds of night school students. After a search, the campus was reopened at 11:30 p.m.

The incident occurred on the 10th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.

"No devices were found," said Sierra College spokeswoman Sue Michaels.

From Niesha Lofing:

Lincoln police are crediting an upgrade to their dispatch system with helping reduce officers' response time.

The police department now can receive 911 calls made from cell phones dialed while in city limits. The upgrade, which includes large 52-inch monitors, GPS mapping of each police vehicle and several other hi-tech features, was completed earlier this year, said city spokeswoman Jill Thompson.

Before the system was in place, the department's dispatch center could receive caller information from residential and commercial landline phones, but calls to 911 from cell phones were answered by the California Highway Patrol and transferred to the police department.

Now, the caller's location is identified through cell towers or GPS and the dispatchers can automatically see the caller's location on a map.

The system has allowed the department to reduce the time between the initial 911 call and officers' arrival on scene, she said. Police also are able to get a physical location for the caller much more quickly.

If a caller dials 911 but is unable to speak, officers can respond to the area and search for the caller.

Lincoln police offer the following tips in regard to 911 calls:

• Immediately tell emergency operator your location.

• Give the operator the wireless phone number in case the connection is lost.

• In most cases, calls to 911 can be made from wireless phones that are not "initialized." Be careful when allowing children to play with old cell phones. A large number of accidental wireless 911 calls come from un-initialized phones when children are playing with them.

• If the wireless phone is not "initialized" and the call gets disconnected, call the operator back -- the operator does not have the phone number and cannot contact you

• Use appropriate police phone numbers when reporting non-life threatening situations. In Lincoln, the police department can be reached at (916) 645-4040.

• Don't program 911 into a cell phone using a speed dial key. This helps prevent unintentional calls to 911.

• Lock cell phone keypads when not in use.

From Andy Furillo:

Richard Allen Vancil has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for the shooting death nearly two years ago of Brenden Howton in North Highlands.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Elena Duarte on Friday imposed the term on Vancil, 26. A jury convicted Vancil Jan. 8 for the May 1, 2007, murder of the 24-year-old Howton in what prosecutors said was a drug-related robbery.

From Niesha Lofing:

A local division of the California Highway Patrol has set a record for the highest number of female applicants recruited for a single law enforcement test date.

CHP Valley Division Chief Stan Perez challenged his command staff, officers and employees in the division's 19 field offices to recruit 200 female applicants. They recruited 227 women, according to a CHP news release.

The number set a new record for the valley division, and CHP officials say they think it might have broken national records as well.

The female recruits represent 27 percent of the 952 applicants for the April test.

"No question that the word is out: Joining the CHP family is not just a great job but also a noble profession and a wonderful way to give back to our communities, not to mention having lots of fun and excitement in the process," Perez stated in the release.

Perez also issued another challenge to his staff: Recruit another 200 female applicants for the May 30 CHP cadet exam.

The number of women who apply to law enforcement agencies is typically pretty low. The national average is about 10 percent, said Officer Steve Merchant.

"Basically the reason is that there are so many misconceptions about this job," he said.

Women are less likely to apply because they think the job is too dangerous, too hard to get into to or because of family obligations.

"We are trying to knock down those barriers," Merchant said.

For more information about jobs with the CHP, go to http://www.chp.ca.gov/recruiting/index.html

From Hudson Sangre:

Two suspects are in custody Sunday following a deadly shooting at a house party in Elk Grove.

Early Sunday morning, a gunman opened fire at partygoers, leaving one young woman dead and three men wounded, including two in critical condition, said Elk Grove police officer Christopher Trim.

The coroner's office identified the woman, who died at the scene, as 25-year-old Alison Joelle Freeseha of Escalon. The other victims have not been identified.

An altercation between guests triggered the incident, Trim said.

The shooting was reported at about 12:49 a.m. in the 6800 block of Paseo Del Sol Way, a residential loop just south of Laguna Boulevard.

Hours later police tracked the suspects to the Comfort Inn & Suites at Howe Avenue and Folsom Boulevard, Trim said.

Starting at about 6:45 a.m., Sacramento police secured the building and evacuated nearby rooms. A hostage negotiator called the suspects just after 10:30 a.m. and convinced them to come out, Trim said.

Two men and a woman were arrested without incident, he said. One of the men apparently was a family member not involved in the shooting, he said.

Police identified Raymond Vigel, 20, and Tamara Bassett, 23, both of Sacramento, as the shooting suspects.

They say Bassett was involved in a fight at the party. She drove away and returned with Vigel in the passenger seat.

He opened fire from the car, according to police.

One of the victims was near the car, while three others, including Freeseha, were in an open garage, they said.

Trim said the shooting did not appear to be gang related.

It was the first homicide of the year in Elk Grove. The city did not have any homicides in 2008, he said.

Bee Staff:

Roseville Police detectives are investigating a restaurant robbery where the manger was assaulted, according to a report released today.

The robbery and attack occurred about 1:35 a.m. Sunday at a restaurant in the 900 block of Pleasant Grove Boulevard, according to a news release from the Roseville Police Department.

Two suspects entered the restaurant's office and struck the victim on the head, tied him up and left with an undisclosed amount of the day's receipts, the release states.

An employee discovered the victim a few minutes later, and called 911. The victim suffered a cut on his head, and was treated by paramedics at the scene, the release states.

One suspect is described as a black male, approximately 25 years old, 6 feet tall, weighing 230 pounds, with a shaved head, the release states. He wore a dark colored hooded sweatshirt over a white t-shirt, and was armed with a handgun.

There is no description for the second suspect, other than he is male.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Roseville Police Investigations Unit at (916) 774-5070, or Roseville Crime Stoppers at (916) 783-7867. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for anonymous information leading to arrest.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

Sacramento Police have arrested a man in connection with a string of marijuana dispensary robberies, but are still looking for two of his alleged accomplices, police said Friday.

Ronald Royal, 36, was arrested Thursday and is accused by police of aiding two armed robbers gain access to at least three marijuana dispensaries robbed in Sacramento since February, police said. Police think that Royal went into the dispensaries first, posed as a customer and then opening the normally-locked doors for the robbers to enter, police said.

Police are still looking for two men wanted in connection with the three robberies. The first is described as a black man who stands about 6 feet tall. He has a large build, and was last seen wearing a black beanie cap, a black hooded sweatshirt with a white T-shirt underneath and dark jeans. The man has a thin mustache and was armed with black revolver, police said.

The second is described as black man standing about 5 feet 10 inches tall. He has a thin build and was last seen wearing a black beanie cap, a light-colored short sleeved button-up shirt with designs on it and dark jeans with white designs on the rear pockets.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.

Bee Staff:

The Sacramento Police Department's vice unit has earned an investigative award from a state group. An FBI agent also was honored for the same work.

The state Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training recognized the unit's members and the FBI agent for their work in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the Safe Streets Task Force, according to a news release.

The Unit was given the 2009 Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation "Investigative Excellence Award, " the release states.

The task force works on rescuing juvenile prostitutes and arresting those who victimize juveniles, the release states.

Since its inception in 2008, the task force has rescued 59 juvenile victims. They have also arrested 36 adults for the exploitation and/or "pimping" of the juveniles, the report states.

The recipients of the award were Sgt. Pam Seyffert, detectives Derek Stigerts, Kristine Morse, Aaron Borg, Jeff Morris and FBI Special Agent Minerva Shelton.

From Andy Furillo:

Another Sacramento jury convicted Daniel James Harper today of attempted murder, sexual assault, mayhem and other charges for his hate-inspired kidnap and attack on a Latina nearly five years ago.

Harper, 33, had been convicted in March 2006 for the Oct. 30, 2004, abduction of a woman from the parking lot of the San Juan Medical Center and his near fatal assault on her in a rural area in southern Sacramento County.

Besides convicting Harper on 12 counts, the jury today also found the allegations to be true that they were hate crimes. According to evidence at trial, Harper claimed he had once been beaten up by a group of "Mexicans." The prosecution claimed that he singled out his victim in the 2004 attack because of her race.

Superior Court Judge Gary S. Mullen is scheduled to sentence Harper on May 15.

The state's Third District Court of Appeals overturned harper's previous conviction in January 2008.

Previously authorities told The Bee that after kidnapping the victim, Harper forced her to withdraw money from an ATM. Harper then drove the woman around the county for four hours, investigators said.

After forcing the woman to perform a sexual act, Harper beat her unconscious, slit her throat and lit her on fire, authorities said. Left for dead, the woman regained consciousness and waved down help on New Hope Road in southern Sacramento County.

From Bill Lindelof:

Sacramento Police handed out 26 citations to motorists who failed to yield to pedestrians in crosswalk during an unorthodox sting operation.

And more such stings are likely, a police spokesman said.

At four different intersections on Thursday a plainclothes officer worked with motorcycle officers to hand out the tickets.

In the operation, the officer in street clothes started to cross the street, giving approaching motorist ample of time to stop. If they failed to yield, then uniformed officers swooped in and cited them.

The undercover operation was conducted at four locations where citizens have complained that they had trouble crossing between the white lines: 17th and J streets, 30th and Q streets, F Street and Alhambra Boulevard and Claudia Drive at Freeport Boulevard near Executive Airport.

"It's a concern for the public," said Sgt. Norm Leong, police spokesman. "It is the pedestrian's responsibility that the motorist has ample time to recognize their presence. Once that is done, and they are in the crosswalk, vehicles have to yield until the pedestrian is all the way across to the other side."

Leong said the pedestrian should make eye contact with a motorist and give the driver enough time to stop. He said that motorists could expect additional stings like the one that occurred Thursday.

In 2008, there were 229 reported vehicle accidents involving pedestrians in Sacramento. In those accidents, 204 were injured and seven killed.

The fine for not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk is $160 or more, depending on a person's driving record, Leong said.

Bee Staff:

The Roseville and Citrus Heights police departments are conducting DUI and driver's license checkpoints tonight in separate operations, according to both departments.

The Roseville Police Department will conduct its checkpoint at an undisclosed location.

The Citrus Heights Police Department's checkpoint will be in operation from 7:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., on Greenback Lane, west of Sunrise Boulevard, according to news releases from both departments.

Officers will be checking drivers for signs of impairment and for possessing a valid driver's license. The vehicles of drivers without a valid driver's license are subject to tow.

While other types of traffic collisions are declining in Roseville, alcohol and drug-related traffic collisions are on the rise, according to police. Roseville officers investigated 35 DUI-related collisions in January and February, a 67 percent increase over the same last year. One person was killed and 23 injured in those collisions, the release states.

Funding for the DUI checkpoints was provided by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The grants have funded similar checkpoints throughout the Sacramento area recently, resulting in dozens of DUI arrests.

From Bill Lindelof:

The Sacramento Police Department and a local company will shred documents in the parking lot of police headquarters Saturday for anyone who wants to rid their files of old, unwanted paper.

Bring your old checks, outdated business records and other once-important documents to the Public Safety Center, 5770 Freeport Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On hand will be a truck from Cintas Corp. that will shred on-site.

Both the general public and businesses are welcome. Shredding is limited to four "bankers boxes" of documents, up to 40 pounds per box.

The public can even view their sensitive documents being shredded via a truck-mounted camera.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

The elderly Romanian couple who disappeared Monday from a hotel north of downtown Sacramento have been found safe at Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento Police officials said.

Ioan Covaci, 79, and Florica Covaci, 71, were last seen at the Governors Inn, 210 Richards Blvd., around 8:15 p.m., police said.

After dropping off their bags, the couple walked out of the hotel and headed west on Richards Boulevard, according to police. Personal items, including their luggage and naturalization papers, were left in the room, police said.

Bee Staff:

DNA evidence has led to the arrest of a Sacramento man in an Oct. 31 "takeover" bank robbery in Elk Grove, police said today.

Arrested was Edwolon Beshears (photo left), 28, who was in the Sacramento County Jail in an unrelated case, according to a news release from the Elk Grove Police Department.

Three men robbed the Bank of America in the 5000 block of Laguna Boulevard, including one suspect armed with a handgun, the release states.

The suspects fled in a stolen vehicle that was found abandoned on a nearby street, the release states.

Elk Grove PD crime scene investigators found evidence that was later transferred to the Sacramento County crime lab for more processing, the release states.

From Andy Furillo:

Sacramento County probation officials have proposed shutting down their two primary detention facilities for the county's most serious juvenile offenders.

If the Board of Supervisors approves the proposal next month, the Sacramento County Boys Ranch and the Warren E. Thornton Youth Center will be closed when the next fiscal year begins on July 1, according to Probation Department spokeswoman Erin Treadwell.

The main 276-bed juvenile hall would remain open, Treadwell said.

"We never in the history of the department envisioned we would have to shutter a facility, much less two," Treadwell said. "Sacramento would then be the only urban county in California without a commitment facility for youth."

About 110 youths are currently housed at the Boys Ranch and another 110 at the Thornton Center, which houses the county's youngest juvenile offenders as well as girls who have been sentenced.

Treadwell said the proposed closures are part of the department's planned $37.4 million budget cut, nearly a third of its current overall spending.

Besides shutting down the Boys Ranch and the Thornton Center, probation officials have proposed eliminating 247 positions, which Treadwell said would reduce its supervision of adult offenders to a intake interviews and processing paperwork.

The Boys Ranch, Treadwell says, houses "our major high-risk youth," the county's most sophisticated and violent juvenile detainees whose court cases have already been adjudicated. She said part of the population at the ranch consists of gang members.

Probation officials are still trying to figure out what to do with the youths who would be removed from the two facilities.

Treadwell said the majority likely would be "moved into community supervision," which occurs at the later stages of the youths' up-to-one-year commitment to the Boys Ranch.

Electronic and GPS monitoring programs are also being considered, according to Treadwell. She said more of the youths from the two centers would be referred to a day treatment program already under way at a facility off Madison Avenue.

From Bill Lindelof:

Two days after he was last seen, police are still looking for a 70-year-old man who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

Jim D. Hill was last seen at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at a title office on the 8800 block of Elk Grove Boulevard. Hill is new to the Elk Grove and Sacramento area.

Reports that Hill might have been in Roseville were unfounded, said Elk Grove police Officer Christopher Trim.

Hill is described as at-risk because of his Alzheimer's diagnosis. He takes medication each day.

Hill was last seen wearing a gray baseball cap with "Budweiser" inscribed on it, black sunglasses, a light gray jacket with yellow stripes on the sleeves, blue jeans and brown hiking boots. He is white, 5-feet-8 and 180 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes.

From Bill Lindelof and Kim Minugh:

All traffic on Sunrise Boulevard has been reopend after detectives wrap up their investigation into an officer-involved shooting this morning.

Meanwhile, Mark Russell (photo left), who was shot by a Citrus Heights police officer after he allegedly tried to hit the officer with his motorcycle, has been booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.

Russell, 32, faces one felony count each of attempted murder, driving in a reckless manner while evading police, assaulting a peace officer and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, according to jail booking records. He also was booked on one misdemeanor count each of possessing burglar's tools, possessing a hypodermic needle or syringe and driving with a suspended license.

He also has warrants issued by the California Highway Patrol and the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, records show. He is ineligible for bail.

The incident began about 2 a.m. when an officer tried to pull over Russell for driving his motorcycle recklessly and over the speed limit, according to Lt. Jeff Mackanin. When the cyclist refused to stop, the officer chased him in his patrol car, reaching high speeds.

The chase ended at Sunrise Boulevard and Twin Oaks Avenue. The officer got out of his car, and the suspect allegedly rode his cycle toward him, Mackanin said.

Mackanin said the officer who shot feared for his life when the suspect approached on his bike.

"There was a short pursuit, and when they got to the area of Sunrise and Twin Oaks the suspect either came to stop or laid his bike down," Mackanin said.

"He then drove directly at the officer. The officer . . . looking like he was going to be struck, fired at least one round. The officer was out of the car."

Russell was struck in the upper body, police say.

Russell was treated at Sutter Roseville hospital, released into police custody and then booked into jail about 11:45 a.m.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento police are asking for the public's help in finding a 19-year-old man they consider an armed and dangerous gang member.

D'Mondo Juice Burns (left photo), also known as "Buddah-Ru," is being sought for arrest warrants totaling $650,000, according to a police department news release. The charges include being a felon in possession of a firearm, burglary, possession of stolen property, violation of probation, and committing a crime on behalf of a street gang, the release states.

Police say he is a gang members and should be considered armed and dangerous.

In March, Burns was charged with misdemeanor counts of battery and vandalism, according to Sacramento County Superior Court records. He failed to appear at a hearing March 24 and has not been in court since, records show.

Burns is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. He was last seen with long dreadlocks with blonde tips, but might have shaved his head recently, according to police. He has a tattoo on the right side of his neck that apparently includes the name "Kelly," according to a photo provided by police.

Police said Burns might be staying in the south Sacramento area, close to John Still Middle School - on John Still Drive, near Meadowview Park - or in the area of the Meadowgate Apartments, near 24th Street and Meadowview Road.

Anyone with information about Burns' whereabouts is asked to call police at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Information also can be sent to police by texting 274637 (CRIMES), then entering SACTIP followed by the information. Callers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Cathy Locke:

The Folsom Police Department Motor Unit will hold a fundraising dinner Sunday to help pay for a trip to Washington, D.C., to honor a fallen colleague.

The Motor Unit, a contingent of motorcycle officers, serves as an honor guard representing the city of Folsom and Folsom Police Department. The officers plan to travel to the nation's capital during National Police Week, May 12-16, to honor Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Canfield.

Canfield died in a Nov. 12 traffic collision during a vehicle pursuit in Rancho Cordova.

The Sunday fundraiser features a spaghetti dinner, prize drawings and a silent auction. The department's Mounted Detail and SWAT Unit will be on hand, and a police motorcycle agility demonstration is scheduled at 4 p.m. at Oak Hills Church, 1100 Blue Ravine Road, Folsom. The dinner follows at 5 p.m.

Canfield often teamed up with Folsom Police Officer Don Koupal for riding events in regional law enforcement motor competitions, according to a news release.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 6-13 if purchased in advance, or $12 for adults and $9 for children at the door. Children age 5 and younger will be served free of charge.

Proceeds from Sunday's event will help cover costs of the trip. The Folsom officers will escort Canfield's wife and children during the memorial services. The names of fallen officers will be etched into a wall of remembrance at the Peace Officers' Memorial.

For more information or to request tickets, call Brenda Bailey at (530) 409-0172.

From Chelsea Phua:

A 21-year-old Foresthill woman who pleaded guilty to setting her boyfriend on fire while he was driving is considering withdrawing her plea.

Traci Nicole Gilson, who was scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in Placer County Superior Court, requested through her public defender for more time to consult a private attorney. Public Jonathan Richter said in court that Gilson's family is seeking an attorney to review the case and explore the possibility of withdrawing her plea.

Her sentencing has been rescheduled for May 13.

Gilson pleaded guilty in March to a felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, causing great bodily harm.

Authorities said Gilson doused her 19-year-old boyfriend, Alan Lane Scott, with gasoline in November and set him on fire while he was driving with her in a car on Foresthill Road. The couple allegedly had an argument.

Prosecutor Joe McInerney said Scott suffered first-degree burns on his right hand and the right side of his face. His medical bills have totaled about $250,000.

Gilson's father, Tom, said that his daughter is a patient and caring person who taught autistic children for about two years. She moved from Loomis to Foresthill last summer to be with Scott. and lost her job just before the incident, Tom Gilson said.

The couple had known each other for about three years, but only starting dating a half a year ago, Tom Gilson said.

From Bill Lindelof:

Sacramento police are searching for two men suspected of committing separate Natomas bank holdups on Arena Boulevard.

The first heist was April 5 when a man wearing a goatee entered the Bel Air Market at 3250 Arena Blvd. and held up the Tri-Counties Bank inside the supermarket. The suspect showed a note to the teller and demanded money.

The teller complied, money was placed in a brown paper bag and the suspect fled. He is described as a white, about 5-feet-10 and 160 pounds. The suspect had brown hair and was wearing a tan shirt, dark pants and dark gloves.

The second incident occurred when a man, described as weighing about 300 pounds, entered the Wells Fargo Bank at 3220 Arena Blvd. on Saturday. The suspect handed the teller a note, but before any money was handed over, the suspect was startled and fled, police said.

He was last seen leaving the area in a 2003 or newer Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle was white with a black top and had chrome rims.

He was described as white, 22 to 29 years old, 6-feet tall with reddish hair and a goatee. He was wearing a gray camouflage baseball hat, black jeans and a T-shirt inscribed "Saint Joseph Basketball."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sacramento Police Department at Crime Alert, (916) 443-4357.

From Bill Lindelof:

A person has been robbed while trying to complete a transaction set up through the online site Craigslist, the incident mirroring an unsuccessful robbery attempt the previous weekend.

On Tuesday, Sacramento police say, a 20-year-old man posted his Apple iphone for sale on Craigslist and then agreed to meet the potential buyer at a home Tuesday night on the 2800 block of Albatross Way near Interstate 80 and El Camino Avenue.

The seller, whom police declined to identify, arrived at the home but refused to speak to the purported buyer inside the home. The suspect briefly inspected the phone then bolted with it, police said.

No suspect has been were arrested, and the house turned out to be vacant.

"We recommend that you do your transactions in a public, well-lit place where there are a lot of people," Officer Konrad Von Schoech said.

Last weekend, a 23-year-old man briefly lost a pair of Air Jordan basketball shoes to a person who had arranged to buy them. He had posted the "rare" Jordan shoes for sale on Craigslist and met the potential buyer at 15th and R streets.

There, a suspect grabbed the shoes and ran to a car with two other people inside. Before they drove away, though, the shoes' owner reached inside the car window and retrieved them.

Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies are seeking a man who may have been shot after attempting to break into an Arden area home Tuesday night, sheriff's officials said.

The man attempted to break into an apartment in the 1800 block of Ethan Way about 8:15 p.m., sheriff's officials said. A person inside the apartment shot at the man once with a shotgun, though it's unclear if the suspect was hit, sheriff's officials said.

Sheriff's deputies are still searching for the man, officials said, though an exact description of the suspect was unavailable.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

The Sacramento Police Department is turning to the public for help in solving a nearly 3-year-old double-slaying.

Police are asking for any information the public may have in finding the person or persons responsible for killing 52-year-old Evelyn Wash (above left photo) and 48-year-old Deborah Williams (above right photo) on Aug. 6, 2006.

Wash and Williams were shot inside their apartment at the Palms Lakes apartment complex at 2453 Rio Linda Blvd., police said.

Before the two were shot, witnesses said they saw three male Latinos in their 20s leaving the complex, police said. A composite sketch of a possible suspect (left) was recently completed based on witness information, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 443-HELP or text 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.

From Chelsea Phua

A Foresthill woman who pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge for setting her boyfriend on fire while he was driving with her in a car is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday, authorities said.

Traci Nicole Gilson, 21, faces a maximum of four years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon with great bodily injury, according to the Placer County District Attorney's office.

Placer County sheriff deputies arrested Gilson in November when she doused her boyfriend, Alan Lane Scott, 19, with gasoline while he was driving on Foresthill Road. Officials said the couple was seen arguing earlier in the morning.

Scott left the scene and was later found at a relative's house. He was taken to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for treatment.

Gilson pleaded guilty in March, said Art Campos, Placer County District Attorney's spokesman.

Other charges, including arson, simple battery and petty theft, were dismissed. However, several of the dismissed charges were under a so called Harvey waiver, which allows a judge to consider them during sentencing, Campos said.

Bee Staff

The Elk Grove Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a 70-year-old at-risk adult.

Jim D. Hill (photo left) of Sacramento was last seen about 9:30 a.m. today at 8830 Elk Grove Blvd. Hill suffers from Alzheimer's and takes medication daily, police said.

Hill is new to the Sacramento area, police said.

Hill is described as a white male adult, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighting 180 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes.

Hill was last seen wearing a gray "Budweiser" baseball cap, black sunglasses, light gray jacket with yellow stripes on the sleeves, blue jeans and brown hiking boots, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Elk Grove Police Department Communications Center at (916) 714-5115

Bee Staff

Elk Grove police are looking for a suspect who allegedly exposed himself Monday to a juvenile walking home from Monterey Trails High School, according to a police report.

The victim was at East Stockton Boulevard and Sheldon Road at about 6 p.m. when a full size black pickup truck drove by, the report said.

The driver parked, exited and then proceeded to hide in some nearby bushes before exposing himself to the victim, the police report said. The suspect then fled in the pickup.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 30s, 5 feet 4 inches tall, average build and slicked back black hair, the report said. The suspect was wearing a tan shirt and blue jeans, the report said.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the Elk Grove Police Department Communications Center at (916) 714-5115 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357).

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Tips can also be sent via SMS text message by entering CRIMES (274637) on a cell phone, followed by Tip732 and the message.

From Andy Furillo:

California prison officials say they are finding a skyrocketing number of inmates who have cell phones, including some who use them to plan escapes and plot violent crimes and drug deals, and a state legislator has introduced a bill to make their possession a crime.

State Sen. John Benoit told reporters at a press conference Tuesday he was "stunned" to learn it wasn't already illegal for inmates to have the devices, or for anybody to smuggle them inside. Benoit added that he was "amazed" to find out investigators confiscated 1,400 of the devices in 2007 and "flabbergasted" when they said that number had doubled to 2,800 in 2008.

Corrections Secretary Matthew Cate said officials turned up another 1,400 illegal cell phones in the prisons in the first three months of this year, which projects to another doubling in 2009 to 5,600.

Benoit's Senate Bill 434 would make inmate possession and civilian smuggling of cell phones into prison a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in custody. For inmates, it would mean a lessening of good-time credits off their terms.

"Cell phones in the hands of inmates is a dangerous threat to public safety, especially in the hands of gang members," Cate said. "We know they can orchestrate criminal activity, plan escapes, menace victims in the general public, or worse."

The prison agency's associate director of adult institutions, Rich Subia, said corrections investigators know of inmates calling from their cell phones "to put together escapes from our minimum facilities and some of our camp areas." He said they also know "that prison gangs use every avenue available to them in order to communicate outside the prisons," including cell phones.

Officials said that both sworn and civilian correctional employees are suspected of smuggling in more than half of the cell phones that make their way into prison. Cate said that with some inmates willing to pay up to $1,000 per phone, and with one employee admitting to making $100,000 in one year smuggling the devices inside prisons, "there is quite an incentive" for outsiders to bring them inside.

Benoit's bill first sought felony penalties for violators. He said agreed to knock it down to a misdemeanor to get the support of Senate public safety committee chair Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. Leno is now listed as a co-author of the bill.

From Andy Furillo:

An alleged Sacramento gang member has pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the August 2006 shooting death of a woman in Meadowview.

John Tafuna Faavesi, who is now 19, entered his plead Monday in the killing of Sylvia Guerrero, 36. The homicide was the third in a 30-hour spree in 2006 that shook up the Meadowview neighborhood on Sacramento's south side.

Faavesi also pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon.

He will be sentenced May 29 by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Maryanne G. Gilliard.

From Chelsea Phua;

Aaron Swickard, 43, was well spoken, impeccably dressed and exuded success, according to a woman prosecutors say was swindled by him.

"He has a beautiful house, a beautiful car, he's a lawyer," said Kathleen Farrar, 65, who spent more than 30 years teaching in the Antioch School District before retiring.

Last month, Swickard pleaded no contest in Sacramento Superior Court to felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement and fraud, according to authorities. The former Sacramento attorney also pleaded no contest to state income tax evasion.

He is scheduled for sentencing May 18 and faces a maximum of 5 years and 8 months in prison.

Prosecutors said Swickard stole more than $850,000 from Farrar and another client. He also failed to report more than $200,000 in income earned in 2005 and 2006, and owes the state $75,000 in unpaid taxes, according to California Franchise Tax Board officials.

Farrar said she met Swickard in 2006 when she was planning an addition to her home on Bentley Street in Concord. A friend recommended contractor Alifeleti Vaituulala, who ran the business with Swickard.

Swickard told Farrar he was an attorney who had "special skill, knowledge and expertise in real estate transactions and construction projects," according to court documents.

Farrar said she interviewed six companies, and chose Swickard's.

"When they came into my home, it was like good friends," Farrar said. "All the time we laughed and joked when we were looking over the plans."

Swickard took her to look for appliances and remodeling materials and helped her pick out a mantel, she said.

She said she signed a contract for an $80,000 construction project, and wrote Swickard a check for that amount that he said he planned to put in an escrow account.

The company completed only one day of actual work, prosecutors said.

In the meantime, Swickard persuaded Farrar to join him and Vaituulala in buying and selling real estate, and to use a rental property that she owned free of debt to secure loans for their investments, she said.

In July 2006, Farrar signed documents allowing Swickard to take out a $430,000 loan secured by her rental property. He used the money to buy property in Sacramento and transferred it to a company created for his and Vaituulala's benefit, prosecutors said.

Farrar eventually filed a civil lawsuit and won a judgment against Swickard for $736,000 to cover losses associated with the never-completed construction project and investment loans. She said she has yet to receive that money. And instead of one mortgage, she now has two.

On a fixed income, Farrar said she fears she may lose both her home and the rental property to foreclosure.

Court records indicate Swickard earlier served time behind bars. He was convicted of bank robbery in Utah in 1983 when he was 18. He served four months and was given 4 years probation. In 1986, the California Highway Patrol arrested him for driving under the influence at speeds of 100 mph.

In 1991, he disclosed his criminal history when applying to the Lorenzo Patino School of Law. He graduated the program and in December 2000 was admitted to the California State Bar. He resigned from the bar last spring.

Court documents outline another case against him involving client Terry McSweeney. Documents say Swickard persuaded McSweeney to invest in a business venture in 2004. McSweeney never received any shares, returns or dividends, prosecutors said.

McSweeney later sued Swickard and won a civil judgment of $577,000.

For Farrar, the losses go beyond the economic.

"Once I found out I was in trouble, all I did was cry," she said.

From Kim Minugh:

Almost 18 years after the fact, somebody finally came forward to talk about the killing of 66-year-old Richard Jackson.

It was the break Sacramento police detectives needed. This morning, police arrested 53-year-old Carolyn Marie Simmons for the man's murder in 1991, said police Sgt. Norm Leong.

She is being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail without bail.

On June 17, 1991, a friend and neighbor of Jackson's found his body at asenior living complex on Clauss Court in south Sacramento and called police. Authorities believe Jackson suffered blunt force trauma and died sometime between June 16 and the time his body was discovered, Leong said.

Simmons was a suspect early on in the case, but detectives could never collect enough information for a warrant, Leong said. But in January, someone came forward, saying Simmons was involved in the crime. After conducting further interviews, detectives were able to arrest Simmons, Leong said. (An earlier version of this story misidentified the suspect.)

Detectives are not sure whether the victim and suspect knew each other at the time of the crime, Leong said. They say Simmons, then 35, beat Jackson with an unknown object while trying to rob him, Leong said.

Simmons will be charged with one count of murder with a special circumstance for having committed the murder during the course of a robbery, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney's criminal complaint.

Leong said he was not sure why the informant finally came forward in January.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento County sheriff's deputies have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly killing his wife this weekend, according to authorities.

Deputies arrested Marquis Landers near Tracy after apparently fleeing the Sacramento area following the death of his wife, Katricia Banks, Saturday moring, said sheriff's Capt. Scott Jones. Landers, whose aliases include "Lil-Moe" and "Smiley," was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on one count of murder early this morning, jail booking records show.

Just after midnight Saturday morning, deputies were at the UC Davis Medical Center investigating an unrelated incident when Banks, 25, arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound. She later died. Landers arrived at the hospital with her and did not cooperate with investigators, Jones said.

After further investigation, a warrant was issued for Landers' arrest. The homicide appears to be domestic violence-related, Jones said.

Also arrested was 24-year-old Demario Chappell, who allegedly aided and abetted Landers as he fled the area, Jones said. Chappell also allegedly disposed of evidence of the crime, Jones said.

Bee Staff

A would-be dog thief got more than he bargained for when the dog's owner - a 39-year-old woman - fought for her pooch, according to a Sacramento County sheriff's report.

The woman was walking her dog in the 10000 block of Mills Station Road at about 5 p.m. on Thursday when the suspect jumped "out of the bushes" and demanded the dog, the report states.

The suspect pushed the dog owner to the ground causing "visible injures," but then apparently made his big mistake - he kicked the dog, causing it to yelp, the report states.

The dog owner regained her feet and punched the suspect in the face. The suspect then fled, the report states.

The suspect is described as a black male, age 40 to 45, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds and with black hair.

The dog was not described other than it apparently is much loved by its owner.

Bee Staff

A Sacramento County sheriff's deputy discovered a false panel in a car that produced an illegal assault weapon and led to the arrests of three men and a juvenile, according to a sheriff's report released Tuesday.

The arrests followed the deputy stopping a vehicle for a traffic violation at 44th Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on April 7, according to the report.

One of the vehicle's occupants was on probation, which allowed the deputy to conduct a search of the vehicle, the report states. The deputy found a false panel in the backseat that led to the trunk, the report states.

The deputy found an illegal assault rifle with a 30-round magazine and a concealable loaded firearm in the trunk, according to the report.

Booked into jail on suspicion of possession of an assault weapon were Carl Canady, 29; Darnell Hunter, 28; Corey Royal, 30; and a 17-year-old juvenile.

Sacramento PD arrests ex-felon with guns, bombs, drugs

From Kim Minugh:

After serving a search warrant at a Hagginwood home this morning, Sacramento police found a cache of guns and homemade bombs, authorities said.

Police detectives and the Special Weapons and Tactics team served the search warrant about 7 a.m. at a residence in the 3700 block of Jasmine Street because detectives had information that a convicted felon living there was in possession of weapons, which is a violation of the law, said Sacramento police Sgt. Norm Leong.

Inside the home they found 10 rifles, two handguns, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition and eight homemade explosive devices, Leong said. They also found a half-ounce of methamphetamine and evidence to indicate the drugs were being sold, Leong said.

Leong said it was not yet known whether any of the firearms were stolen.

Officers arrested the resident, 47-year-old Matthew Graham. Leong said Graham faces 12 counts of being an ex-felon in possession of guns; eight counts of possessing explosive devices; being an ex-felon in possession of ammunition and possessing methamphetamine for sales.

From Kim Minugh:

Here's another warning for people to be careful of Internet transactions.

A 23-year-old man hailed Sacramento police Saturday afternoon after he nearly was robbed of a pair of Air Jordans he was trying to sell. He was then dragged outside a car during the course of the crime, according to police.

The victim hailed officers just before 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon to report the attempted robbery, which had just occurred at the corner of R and 15th streets, said police Officer Konrad Von Schoech.

The victim had posted a pair of "rare" Jordan shoes for sale on Craigslist and arranged to meet the potential buyer at the intersection. The potential buyer looked at the shoes - valued at $600, according to the victim, and said he had money in his car, Von Schoech said.

As the victim followed the buyer to his car, the suspect turned around, grabbed the shoes from the victim and ran to a car with two other occupants inside, Von Schoech said.

The victim reached inside the car window to grab his shoes back, and was dragged some distance as the car fled. Eventually, the suspect let go of the shoes and the car took off, Von Schoech said.

The victim received minor injuries. He described the suspect and two subjects in the car as African American men in their 20s, all wearing dark clothing. He described the car as a maroon four-door sedan, Von Schoech said.

"This is just a reminder: If you're doing these kind of transactions, especially with someone you've never met before (in person), it's advisable to meet in a very public place where there are other people around," Von Schoech said.

From Hudson Sangree:

Folsom police said they were forced to fatally shoot a man who came at them with a knife this morning in the 100 block of Elkins Circle.

The man died of his wounds a short time later at UC Davis Medical Center. Police have not identified him.

At about 10:30 a.m., police responded to a report of a man who was hallucinating, hadn't eaten in days, and had locked himself in his bedroom, according to a department statement.

When officers contacted the man at his home, "he approached them with a knife in a threatening manner," said Officer Michelle Beattie.

The officers ordered the suspect to drop the knife. When he didn't comply, one officer shot him with a Taser stun gun, she said.

The man retreated to his bedroom "then lunged again," Beattie said.

A second Taser shot had no effect, she said.

At that point, two officers fired their duty weapons, she said.

She said the three officers on the scene were all veterans.

They have not yet been named.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

Shriners Hospitals is warning of a scam where a man purporting to represent the organization is fraudulently raising money, according to a news release.

The hospital became aware of the scam Friday when a Curtis Park resident notified the hospital that a man was in the neighborhood claiming to raise money to send a baseball team to Hawaii, the release said.

The man said he was working with Shriners Hospitals for Children and would donate books and toys to the hospital as part of the fund raising, the release said. Shriners Hospital is advising the public that they are not a part of this promotion.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento County sheriff's detectives have arrested two men in connection with Thursday's homicide in Carmichael Park, according to authorities.

Park employees found the body of 57-year-old Richard Seeger lying in the parking lot early Thursday. He had suffered "multiple sharp force injuries" to his upper body, said sheriff's Capt. Scott Jones.

On Friday, detectives arrested 35-year-old James Ray Alden (top left photo) and 24-year-old Bobby Brady (top right photo) for Seeger's killing, Jones said. Both men were booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on one felony count each for murder, robbery and violating probation. They are ineligible for bail.

Detective say robbery was the motive for the killing.

Seeger was living in his sports utility vehicle, which he kept stationed at the park, officials said. He was working at a local eatery.

Detectives found Seeger's vehicle in the neighborhood where Alden and Brady were staying, Jones said. They linked the suspects to the crime through physical evidence and witness statements, he said.

At the time of his arrest, Alden was in the process of serving five years of formal probation after pleading no contest to a felony charge of possessing stolen property in 2008, according to Sacramento County Superior Court records.

Brady was on probation after pleading no contest to second-degree robbery, a felony, in 2008, records show. His criminal record dates back to 2003 and includes no contest pleas to misdemeanor counts of drug and weapon possession, according to records.

Seeger's slaying was the sixth in the sheriff's jurisdiction this year. That includes one death resulting from an officer-involved shooting.

From Andy Furillo:

A Sacramento judge today sentenced a career criminal with a street gang history to life in prison with no chance of parole, plus 50 years, for last year's murder of a man in Meadowview.

George Clifford Mims, 41, received the term from Superior Court Judge Timothy M. Frawley for the Sept. 1 shooting death of Floyd Deshawn Wormley, 33, outside a home on 69th Avenue where a group of people had gathered at 4 o'clock in the morning.

According to Mims' probation report, the defendant was sitting in his car when he made a remark to a woman that offended Wormley.

The report said that Wormley then told Mims, "Don't disrespect my wife like that." Mims responded by shooting Wormley to death, according to the report.

Mims, a one-time reputed member of the 29th Street Crips street gang, has previous convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, being an ex-convict with a gun, driving under the influence and felony evasion.

From Andy Furillo:

A teenaged girl convicted of setting up a robbery that led to a murder in a south area park nearly four years ago was sentenced today to 27 years to life in prison.

Sarah Weeden, now 18 but who was 14 at the time of the shooting death of Navnil Chand, received the term from Sacramento Superior Court Judge Maryanne G. Gilliard. Before sentencing Weeden, Gilliard rejected a defense motion for a new trial and also denied a plea that the defendant be placed on probation.

"It's very clear that Ms. Weeden caused the victim to come into harm's way," the judge said, in imposing a term that brought sobs and curses from two rows in the courtroom that were occupied by the young woman's friends and family.

Gilliard said that Weeden "was accurately described as being at the forefront of this. But for Ms. Weeden, Mr. Chand would not have been killed." The judge said Weeden "participated in a fairly sophisticated crime."

Defense attorney Charles M. Bonneau argued that Weeden was "a child" at the time of the Aug. 5, 2005, slaying of Chand. Bonneau also suggested that she was "in a position of being victimized and harassed" by Chand, who had met her about a week before his death and had called her several times afterward to see her again.

Bonneau suggested that Chand and a friend of his who was with him and also was shot and wounded the night of the killing were attempting to engage in unlawful sexual intercourse with an underage girl.

The judge said she found it "offensive" that the defense sought to characterize Chand as a potential sexual predator.

"He was a happy, full-of-life, 17-year-old," Gilliard said, adding that the victim met Weeden by chance when she was walking to the store with some friends.

The convicted shooter in the case, Sertice Melonson, 24, was sentenced in February to life in prison with no chance of parole.

Ryan Moore, who accompanied Melonson in the Caymus Park shooting of Chand and his friend, was convicted last year and sentenced to 15 years to life.

Another girl who helped set up the robbery, Janee Hill, pleaded no contest to attempted second-degree robbery after she testified for the prosecution. She has since been sentenced to time already served in custody.

Bee Staff

A Rocklin resident was pepper sprayed after he confronted a female prowler in his house early today, police said.

The residents' "highly agitated barking dog" awoke the pair, a husband and wife, at about 4:30 a.m. in their home in the 5700 block of Sunflower Court, according to a news release from the Rocklin Police Department.

The husband confronted the intruder and a struggle ensued, police said. The suspect squirted the victim with pepper spray and escaped, police said.

Officers found evidence, "which will be processed," police said.

The victims described the assailant as a white female, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds with blonde hair. She wore all black clothing and gloves, police said.

From Chelsea Phua:

A fund for academic and educational grants has been established in honor of a University of California, Berkeley, student who was slain in one of the Sacramento area's most noted cases.

The prestigious Frank and Eva Buck Foundation provided $25,000 to create the Rodrigo "Rod" Rodriguez, Jr. Legacy Fund, which has so far awarded four grants to local students and academic organizations, according to a news release.

"We are so very grateful to the Buck Foundation for this recognition of our son's many accomplishments and for their continued support of academic excellence for all students," said Rodriguez's parents, Gina and Rod Sr.

At the time of his death, Rodriguez Jr. was attending UC Berkeley on a full scholarship. He had planned to return to Oak Park as a math teacher, his family said. But while home on break in September 2007, Rodriguez Jr. was gunned down outside an Oak Park barbershop.

Andre Pulido, now 26, of Elk Grove was arrested and charged with murder -- a killing that police said may have been a case of mistaken identity.

Pulido's trial is scheduled to open Tuesday in Sacramento Superior Court, according to online court records.

A second suspect, described as Pulido's getaway driver, remains at large.

Memorials and tributes to Rodriguez poured into the media after his slaying. A scholarship was set up in his name.

Recipients of the grants include a former classmate, Eunique LeGuie, who used the money to work with elementary school students in Africa, and an 8-year-old girl, Zora Robinson.

Grant funding also went to Vision 2000 Educational Foundation, which helps elementary students to improve in mathematics, and the Kit Carson Science and Math Garden Project.

In addition, the family and "I Will Work for Rod" organization are pushing for the reopening of the Oak Park library, a project they say is close to Rodriguez Jr.'s heart.

They are asking that a portion of any federal stimulus monies Sacramento will receive be used to reopen the library.

Contributions to a scholarship in Rodriguez Jr.'s name can be sent to the Sacramento State/UC Davis MESA Center, 6000 J St., Sacramento, CA 95819.

From Bill Lindelof:

A man has been arrested by Roseville Police on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman.

Police arrested Bret James Larson (photo left), 21, of Roseville on Thursday and booked into Placer County Jail without bail on a variety of charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, multiple sex offenses and making terrorist threats.

Larson is suspected of sexually assaulting the woman in a Roseville residence about two weeks ago. After she was able to leave, Larson allegedly threatened her.

When she returned to the residence where the assault occurred on Tuesday to retrieve her belongings, police said that Larson beat her, threatened her with a knife, kept her against her will and choked her.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

Andrew Rosas, the ex-felon captured by police following a six-hour standoff on I-80, is in the Nevada County Jail awaiting trial, where he'll face a bevy of charges ranging from felony evading to endangering in the life of a child, CHP officials announced today.

Last night, Rosas led police on a high-speed pursuit through the Sierra Nevada, which finally ended after he turned himself in following a more than six-hour standoff near Soda Springs.

According to police, Rosas spent part of the standoff injecting himself with methamphetamine before smoking a cigarette, stepping out of the car and telling police he "was going to turn himself in like a man," said Kenny Waters of Waters Bail Bonds, Rosas' bail agent on a previous drug case.

Rosas is currently being held on charges of felony evading of officers, child endangerment, carrying a concealed weapon, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a deadly weapon, possession of a loaded firearm and displaying a firearm in a threatening manner, according to Art Campos, Placer County District Attorney's Office spokesman.

Campos also said there's a possibility of the case being transferred back to Sacramento County, where the chase originated.

From Bill Lindelof:

Rocklin Police detectives have arrested a 51-year-old man for suspicion of lewd acts with a child.

Pedro Pallares of Rocklin was arrested Wednesday at the Rocklin Police Department after a two-week investigation that began March 24.

The department was informed by Sacramento County Child Protective Services that Pallares might be performing sex acts with a child, police said.

The victim is a girl younger than the age of 14. Rocklin Police do not believed that there are any other victims.

From Kim Minugh:

Three people have been arrested in connection with the November slaying of Khet Saelee in a Fruitridge area alley, according to authorities.

Saelee, a 32-year-old father of two, was found dead in his car in an alley between Baker and Roosevelt avenues the morning of Nov. 23. Sacramento County sheriff's officials say he was shot during an attempted robbery that took a fatal turn.

Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies have arrested 31-year-old Rebecca Brousseau and 22-year-old Cristo Lopez in connection with the homicide, said Capt. Scott Jones.

Brousseau was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail early Thursday morning on one felony count each of murder, conspiracy and attempted murder, according to jail booking records. She is ineligible for bail.

Lopez was booked into the jail March 25 on one felony count each of murder, participating in a gang and receiving stolen property. He also is ineligible for bail.

Lopez is the suspected triggerman, said homicide detective Dan Cabral.

Detectives also arrested 23-year-old Andrew Lynch in connection with the murder, Cabral said. Lynch faces one accessory charge for his role in helping Brousseau and Lopez get rid of evidence, Cabral said.

The three suspects are acquaintances of each other, but did not know Saelee, Cabral said. Brousseau lured him into the alley, where she and Lopez attempted to rob him.

"It appears the robbery didn't go as planned," Cabral said, and Saelee was shot.

Last month, sheriff's officials held a news conference announcing a $15,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of Saelee's killer: $5,000 from the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation, $5,000 from the Asian Peace Officers Association, $4,000 from Saelee's family and friends and $1,000 from the Crime Alert organization.

Detectives appealed to the community for help in the case, saying they had hit a dead-end in the investigation.

They said Saelee did not have a criminal record and was not believed to be engaged in any illegal activity when he was killed.

Saelee had spent the evening with family members the night before he was killed and was en route to his cousin's home when the homicide occurred. Detectives say he might have been in the area of Baker and Roosevelt avenues to buy beer and food at a nearby market that he was known to frequent.

Detectives said he was likely killed sometime between midnight and the early morning. His body was found and reported to authorities shortly after 10 a.m. Nov. 23.

Cabral said the day after the news conference, detectives received a critical tip from the public that helped them close the case.

"The public did help immensely on this," he said. "Without their help, it would've taken a lot longer to solve."

Family members said Saelee was a hardworking tile finisher from Sacramento. He was engaged to his girlfriend of 11 years and was father to a 15-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.

Bee Staff

Judith Labarbera, arrested Wednesday in Elk Grove for shoplifting, should know the criminal justice system really well, according to a police report.

The 48-year-old Rancho Cordova resident had been arrested 13 times before for theft, police said.

Labarbera was caught about 5 p.m. outside a store in the 8400 block of Elk Grove Florin Road with a shopping cart containing baby diapers and two cases of beer worth $172.18 that she hadn't paid for, police said.

Labarbera "admitted to entering the store to steal merchandise and not pay for it," the report states.

She was on probation and had a $3,500 warrant out for her arrest on another theft charge, police said.

Labarbera was booked into jail on suspicion of burglary, petty theft after serving time for theft and probation violation, jail records show.

From Andy Furillo:

The alleged wheelman in the gang slaying of an innocent Gardenland grandfather two years ago pleaded no contest to manslaughter charges today and was immediately sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Miguel Luis Garcia, 25, had been facing a retrial in the February 2007 shooting death of Jesse Fernandez, 69, who was slain by a bullet shot through a door to his home while he was helping his grandson escape from a misplaced retaliatory attack.

A Sacramento Superior Court jury convicted Garcia of murder on March 21, 2008, but Judge James L. Long declared a mistrial several days later when it was learned that one of the jurors had discussed the case with a co-worker - against the routine judicial admonishment - and also had indicated in the same conversation that the defendant was guilty.

Two co-defendants in the case, Jorge Lopez and Luis Pacheco, were convicted separately and were sentenced to terms of 50 years to life in prison, according to Deputy District Attorney Scott Triplett.

The prosecutor said the shooting took place as retaliation after a friend of the defendants, who were members of a Sureno street gang subset, had been shot at earlier in the same day.

While driving through the Gardenland neighborhood, the three since-convicted killers saw Fernandez' grandson, who had nothing to do with the earlier shooting, and chased him to the victim's house.

Garcia was accused in the case of providing the gun that was used to kill Fernandez. He was sentenced today by Judge Patrick Marlette to 11 years for the manslaughter, 10 years on a gang enhancement and three years on the gun allegation.

Nieves "Mo" Fernandez, the victim's son, told the court today that he did not think the sentence fits the crime.

"If you'd let me have five minutes with him...," Fernandez said.

From Andy Furillo:

A Sacramento jury today convicted Jarrell Tyes of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Jelisa Office two years ago at a house party in Del Paso Heights.

Superior Court Judge Greta Curtis Fall set a May 15 sentencing date on Tyes, now 17, who faces a term of 15 years to life in prison for the slaying of the girl who was a straight-A student at Rio Linda High School and who aspired to be a pediatrician.

Tyes also faces an additional sentencing enhancement for his use of a gun in the March 23, 2007, shooting on Cypress Street.

Tyes, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, went to Del Paso Heights when two of his friends called him on a cell phone to say that somebody had threatened his younger brother at the party on Cypress Street.

"Get out here," one of them told him, according to Deputy District Attorney Rick Miller. "Don't be a punk."

According to Miller, Tyes got a ride to the corner of Roanoke Avenue and Cypress Street, a few houses away from the site of the party. He then pulled out a semiautomatic handgun and fired 13 shots down the street, where Jelisa Office was sitting on the car she had recently purchased with money she earned on her fast-food job.

One of the bullets struck her in the head, and the girl who talked about going to Grambling State University died instantly.

In five days of testimony, the trial was marked by four teenaged witnesses - including three who gave police highly incriminating statements against Tyes - who refused to testify, drastically changed their stories from what they had initially told investigators, or out-and-out lied, according to the prosecutor.

Two of the witnesses had identified Tyes as the person who fired the gun the night of the killing. Another had told police that Tyes admitted to shooting the girl. The fourth lived in the house where police eventually recovered the murder weapon.

"These were people who were willing to come into court and, obviously to you folks, flat out commit perjury," Miller told the jury in his closing argument. "A completely innocent girl lost her life, and they don't care."

Miller said the murder was "simply about showing up, respect, and not being a punk."

Despite the story his friends told Tyes, there was no evidence that his brother had been threatened the night of the party. Miller said "there was no fight" and that "nothing ever happened" between Tyes' brother and anybody else at the Cypress Street party.

Even then, Tyes "attacked people who had nothing to do with anything," least of all the non-threat against his younger brother, according to Miller.

Defense attorney Russell W. Miller did not dispute that Tyes shot and killed Office. He argued to the jury that Tyes went to Del Paso Heights with a mindset to protect his brother that the case added up more to manslaughter than murder.

He said that a pause in the shower of bullets Tyes sprayed down the street suggested and testimony from at least one witness that she heard more than 13 shots suggested that his client himself had come under attack.

"He believed ... his brother was in imminent danger," Russell Miller told the jury.

The prosecutor belittled the self-defense of his brother theory. Tyes, Rick Miller said, went to the party and "shot it up" with the intent to "shut it down," according to one witness statement to police. He "meant to kill somebody," the prosecutor said, even if it wasn't Jelisa Office.

By Bill Lindelof

Redding police say that when the federal government erroneously sent freshly paroled Fred Royal a check for $26,000 he wasted no time in spending the windfall.

"He went out and bought a $5,000 car and a big-screen TV," police Sgt. Bruce Bonner said today.

Police were able to put a hold on a little more than half of the $26,000 that was still in the bank. Detectives were going to seize that money today to be returned to the government.

Royal, 63, was released from state prison on March 24 and took up residence in a local motel. About that time he was sent a government disability check in the amount of $26,000, although the check should have been for less than $1,000.

He made statements to acquaintances that he knew the check was in error, Redding police said. Still, he spent thousands.

"He paid $5,000 cash for a used car and then went on a spending spree, buying clothing, food, refrigerator and TV," said Bonner.

Bonner said that Royal had been in prison for child molestation. He has been booked into Shasta County Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property and violation of parole.

He was located by authorities leaving Walmart in Redding.

From Bill Lindelof and Kim Minugh:

Sacramento County sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating the death of a man whose body was found at Carmichael Park on Thursday morning.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, is in his 50s and is known to frequent the park at Fair Oaks Boulevard and Grant Avenue, said homicide Sgt. Drew Wyant.

The man is believed to have lived out of his car, which he parked there often, Wyant said. That car has been recovered by detectives and is being processed for evidence, Wyant said.

Park employees discovered the man's body lying on the ground in the park's parking lot just before 6 a.m., said sheriff's Capt. Scott Jones.

Initially, deputies were unsure if the man was the victim of a crime. After coroner's officials arrived, it was determined that the man was the victim of a homicide.

Wyant said the man might have family living in the area, and was seen in the park often.

"He just kind of hangs out and reads the paper, spending some leisure time here," Jones said. "Much of the time he is in his vehicle."

Detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, but Wyant said robbery is a possible motive.

No suspects have been named.

Bee Staff

An appeals court has upheld the conviction of the driver who struck and killed Rocklin police Officer Matthew Redding in 2005, according to a news release from the Placer County District Attorney's Office.

California's Third District Court of Appeal upheld the second-degree murder conviction of Eric Kenneth Dungan, now 28, the release states.

A pickup truck driven by Dungan hit Redding, 29, at about 4 a.m. on Oct. 9, 2005, as Redding stood outside his patrol car directing traffic toward an exit on Highway 65 in Roseville, the release states.

Dungan fled and was arrested by police minutes later, the release states. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.18 percent, which is more than twice the state's legal limit of 0.08 percent, the release states.

Dungan was convicted in 2007.

Dungan was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison by Superior Court Judge Larry D. Gaddis, the release states.

Placer County Assistant District Attorney Daniel Gong, who prosecuted Dungan, said he was pleased with the appeal court's decision, and he praised the California Highway Patrol for its investigative work that allowed him to convict the defendant, the release states.

"I'm also happy for the family of Matt Redding," he said in the release. "This does bring some closure for them. I know they were nervous about the appeal."

Trial testimony established that Dungan had been stopped on two previous occasions on suspicion of drunken driving, the release states.

A cab driver also testified that he drove Dungan back to his pickup truck shortly before Redding was killed and urged him not to drive because he appeared to be drunk, the release states.

Dungan testified in court that he was text-messaging a friend and listening to music on headphones as he approached flashing lights on the highway, the release states.

Dungan said he thought the lights, which were coming from Redding's patrol car, were from a construction zone and said he didn't know what he had struck with his truck, the release states.

From Chelsea Phua:

A 60-year-old man was sentenced Wednesday to 16 years in prison for committing lewd acts on an 8-year-old Rocklin girl, authorities said.

According to a news release by the Placer County District Attorney's officer, Steven Eugene Hesson, a registered sex offender with a history of child molestation, had volunteered to babysit the girl when her father left the house because of an emergency. Hesson was renting a room at the home of the girl's father. Rocklin police arrested Hesson on Sept. 24, and Hesson pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation on March 18.

At Wednesday's sentencing, a 29-year-old woman who said she was molested by Hesson when she was 4 spoke in court.

"Words cannot explain the emotional pain in my mind and body have gone through," she said. Hesson, she said, had robbed her of her childhood innocence. She said she suffered from stress, depression anger, nightmares and drug problems.

"I wanted to pretend like it never happened to me and tried to repress it and put it in a dark corner in my mind," she said.

Her case was dismissed at the time because the judge then deemed she was too young to provide competent testimony. Placer County Deputy District Attorney Jeff Wood said the woman has waited 25 years to tell her story.

"Hopefully, this will being some closure for her," Wood said.

Hesson also served a 6-year prison sentence in 1984 for child molestation, according to the prosecutor.

From Chelsea Phua:

Roseville police are looking for a man who robbed a 24-year-old woman Monday at Foothills Boulevard and Baseline Road.

Police said the woman was driving out of the parking lot of the Brickyard Center at about 1 p.m. when a man entered her vehicle, pointed a handgun at her and demanded her wallet. He took cash and fled in another waiting vehicle. The victim did not report any injuries.

The man is described as white, in his 20s, 6 feet tall and 165 pounds. He has short blond hair and an earring in one ear. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a green hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored pants.

He was last seen entering a waiting dark green two-door car similar to a Honda Civic or Honda Accord. The vehicle had tinted side and rear windows and a rear spoiler, and last seen being driven south on Foothills Boulevard.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Roseville Police Department Investigations Unit at (916) 774-5070, or Roseville Crime Stoppers at (916) 783-7867. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to $1,000 cash rewards for tips leading to arrest.

From Chelsea Phua:

A Lodi elementary school teacher has been arrested after police found heroin in his car during a traffic stop, authorities said.

Lt. Steven Price said Michael Phillips, 37, was arrested on suspicion of possession of heroin about 11:45 a.m. last Friday. He was taking a lunch break from Beckam Elementary School, where he teaches third grade, Price said.

A patrol officer spotted Phillips talking to a bicyclist before stopping him for a broken windshield at South Cherokee and Kettleman lanes. Price said drug-dealers in the area are known for operating on bicycles.

Phillips gave permission to the officer to search his vehicle. Police found several syringes, including one with a usable amount of heroin in it, Price said.

Phillips told police he started using heroin about three years ago to ease his pain from a surgical procedure, but has been clean for a while. He also said he has diabetes, and uses the needles for his insulin, Price said.

Detective Eric Bradley said that Phillips has posted a $10,000 bail. Morphine pills were also found in plain sight on his teacher's desk in school, Bradley said. Further investigation might lead to more charges, Bradley said.

From Kim Minugh and Chelsea Phua:

Two juveniles were shot Wednesday afternoon after an argument with a carload of people on Mack Road, according to authorities.

The injuries were not life-threatening, said Sacramento police Sgt. Norm Leong.

The shooting occurred just after 4 p.m., as a group of about eight male and female juveniles walked along Mack Road near the 6100 block, Leong said. The group was approached by a green Honda occupied by at least three men.

The pedestrians and the car's occupants began arguing for an unknown reason, Leong said, when at least two of the occupants jumped out of the Honda and into a gray sports utility vehicle. That vehicle passed by the pedestrian group and the driver began firing, hitting two pedestrians.

A 14-year-old girl was hit in the hand, and a 17-year-old boy was hit in the lower body and in the hand, Leong said. Both cars then fled.

A witness account by a nearby parking enforcement officer led police to the 4900 block of Morningstar Drive, where they found both vehicles believed to be involved in the shooting, as well as a handgun, Leong said.

Sacramento police arrested Sem Saephanh (top left photo), 26, of Sacramento in connection with the shooting. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with gang enhancement.

Saephanh's friend, Dach Sae (top right photo), 28, of Sacramento, was also arrested but on unrelated charges to the shooting.

Man held in slaying of Lincoln woman in Southern California

Bee Staff

A man accused of killing a Lincoln woman at a Southern California shopping center lost a bid for bail on Tuesday, the San Diego Union reported.

Eric Russell Andreasen, 37, of Oceanside pleaded not guilty at his arraignment to murder in the slaying of Katherine Parker, 54, of Lincoln, Friday at an Oceanside shopping mall, the newspaper reported.

To read the complete report, click here.

By Bob Shallit

bshallit@sacbee.com

Arden Fair Mall isn't a smart place to park a stolen car.

Not since a new camera system was installed in late December.

"In three months, we've recovered 12 stolen vehicles and there are at least eight people in custody," boasts Steve Reed, Sacramento's very own "mall cop."

As head of Arden Fair security, Reed used a federal grant more than a year ago to equip two of his patrol vehicles with roof-mounted cameras. The vehicles cruise through the mall's parking lots, snapping photos of car licenses and feeding the plate numbers into a law enforcement database.

If a match turns up - either from a list of stolen cars or of owners wanted for felonies - the mall officers contact the Sacramento Police Department.

The first arrest occurred soon after the system went into place, following a year of fine-tuning and coordination with state and local law enforcement. A stolen car was identified, Sac PD was notified and Reed's crew tracked the driver to a mall store.

Where he was shoplifting.

"They arrested him and found (merchandise) stuffed down his pants," Reed says.

Another car thief was tracked down at Kinko's. Inside his vehicle were 50 "altered" drivers' licenses, 50 stolen credit cards and 25 pieces of stolen mail.

"They're going federal on that guy," Reed says, referring to federal charges for stealing U.S. mail.

And then there was the guy who was arrested after taking his new girlfriend to a Valentine's Day dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

He went to jail. She "had to walk home," says Reed. "It was a lousy first date."

For the rest of Bob Shallit's column, see Thursday's "Our Region" section. Reach Shallit at (916) 321-1049. Back columns: www.sacbee.com/shallit.

From Kim Minugh:

Sometimes you're in a mood that even a Big Mac can't fix.

About 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sacramento police officers responded to a report of a traffic collision at 4242 Norwood Avenue - "only to find it was an incident of McDonald's 'Drive-Thru Rage,'" according to a police report.

Turns out, the suspect had been in the McDonald's drive-through line when he grew so impatient with the woman in front of him that - after getting his food at the window - he used his pickup to push her car into traffic on Norwood, the report states.

With her out of the way, he fled northbound on Norwood. According to the report, the driver is described as a Caucasian man in his mid 20s, 5-foot-6-inches tall and weighing 130 pounds. He had short, dirty blond hair and was wearing a colored shirt with stripes on the left side.

His vehicle was described as an older, full-size, light blue Ford pickup truck, according to the police report, which classifies the incident as an assault with a deadly weapon. An American flag sticker is displayed in the truck's rear window.

Bee Staff

Things went so bad for Christopher Garcia that even his grandmother wanted to press charges against him, according to an Elk Grove police report.

An officer found Garcia, 23, sitting in a parked vehicle at 10 p.m. Monday at Power Inn Road and Orchard Loop with the keys to a stolen vehicle and a half gram of marijuana in his possession, the report states.

The stolen vehicle that the keys belonged to was parked next to Garcia's vehicle, the report states. To make matters worse for him, police said Garcia, who was on searchable probation, gave them a false name, but identification belong to Garcia was found in the stolen vehicle.

The vehicle belonged to Garcia's grandmother, who told police she wanted to press charges against Garcia, the report states.

Garcia was booked into jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, giving false identification and other related charges.

From Kim Minugh:

A Sacramento police sergeant will be honored at the Natomas Unified School District board meeting tonight for an act of kindness.

Early last month, Sgt. Roman Murrieta was patrolling the area near Natomas High School when he observed a group of special needs students, according to a department news release. Shortly thereafter, Murrieta saw the same group of students huddling together at a Save Mart, trying to stay out of the rain.

With the heavy rain showing no sign of letting up, Murrieta made four trips to transport the students back to Natomas High. He stored wheel chairs in the trunk to do so.

In a statement, Police Chief Rick Braziel lauded Murrieta for being a "wonderful asset to the community."

Bee Staff

A dispute over missing property between two Elk Grove men escalated into violence, leaving one man beaten and the other arrested, according to a police summary.

The incident occurred about 9:45 p.m. in the 9000 block of Meadowsweet Way.

A 23-year-old man and the suspect engaged in an argument over "missing property" at the suspect's residence, police said.

As the victim left the suspect's property, the suspect attacked the victim "from behind," punching him until he fell to the ground and then kicking him, police said.

The victim suffered "significant visible injuries," police said.

Officers said the suspect told them he "beat up" the victim.

Arrested on suspicion of battery was Jesse Jeffery, 18.

Bee Staff

The arrests took a helicopter, K-9 units and several other officers, but Elk Grove police finally arrested four suspect car thieves who tried to flee through a residential area.

A police summary laid out this chain of events:

Officers spotted a stolen vehicle with four juvenile occupants near midnight Monday. All four bailed out and dispersed in the area around New Country Court and Big Horn Boulevard.

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department helicopter assisted in the search.

Two of the suspects were found hiding in shed. A K-9 unit stopped one of the suspects, who was injured in the arrest. The injured suspect was treated and released into the custody of officers.

Police caught a third suspect as he attempted to run past officers. The fourth suspect surrendered near the stolen vehicle.

The four suspects, all 17-year-old males, were arrested on a variety of charges related to the stolen vehicle and resisting arrest.

By Bill Lindelof and Kim Minugh

A Sacramento police officer remains in the hospital this afternoon after he was knocked unconscious this morning during a search for two carjacking suspects in south Sacramento.

Detectives remain in the area of Franklin Boulevard and Mack Road, trying to figure out how the officer ended up laid out on the ground unconscious.

He has regained consciousness and is expected to recover, but remains in the hospital, said police Sgt. Norm Leong.

It remains unclear whether the officer was hurt by the suspects or was knocked out as a result of a fall during a chase.

About 6:30 a.m., an officer spotted a car in the south area wanted in connection with an earlier carjacking. The officer chased the car until the vehicle crashed near Shining Star Drive and Mafic Court, said police Officer Konrad Von Schoech.

The driver and the passenger fled, hopping fences with officers in pursuit. Officers assumed that at least one of the suspects was armed because a gun had been used during the carjacking, police said.

Officers surrounded the area, and detectives remain on scene. No arrests have been made.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

A retired Placer County Sheriff's deputy faces charges in Sacramento County stemming from a road-rage incident earlier this year in Citrus Heights in which he is accused of pulling a gun, records show.

The Sacramento County district attorney has charged Buddy Trumbo, 78, a retired Placer County sheriff's deputy, with two misdemeanor counts - brandishing a weapon and impersonating a police officer, according to documents filed in Sacramento Superior Court.

Trumbo - also once the police chief in Plymouth, in Amador County - is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday.

Trumbo is accused of flashing a badge and pulling a gun on James Torrez, 46, of Citrus Heights on Feb. 6. Torrez allegedly cut him off coming out of a parking lot near the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Van Maren Lane, according to a Citrus Heights Police Department report.

Trumbo allegedly swerved his SUV in front of Torrez at a nearby red light and held a pistol at him, all the while telling him he was under arrest and trying to handcuff him, according to Torrez's statement to police.

"He was screaming at me to get on the ground and get out of the car," Torrez said in an interview.

Trumbo disputed Torrez' version of events in a phone interview. Trumbo said he did nothing wrong and that he feared for his safety and the safety of others because Torrez was acting too erratically.

"If he was a normal person, I could have just talked to him," said Trumbo. "He screamed and yelled and cursed me."

Trumbo was cited and released following the incident.

In an interview, Trumbo said he planned to enter a not guilty plea.

"I've carried a gun for 40 years and never had an incident (until that day)," he said.

If convicted, Trumbo could face jail time, according to court documents.

Torrez said he's upset that Trumbo is not charged with a felony.

"I don't think (the charges) were a fair judgment on what happened," Torrez said.

By Andy Furillo

A one-time Foothill High School football star pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter today and is scheduled to be sentenced in Sacramento Superior Court later this month to 42 years and eight months in prison.

Lovelle Chapman, 22, was convicted of second-degree murder almost three years ago in the Sept. 27, 2003, drive-by shooting death of Pasha Voskoboinik.

The verdict was overturned on appeal on grounds that the jury had not been properly instructed, according to the defendant's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Amy Rogers, and the case was returned to Sacramento for trial last year.

Chapman had been sentenced to 40 years in state prison on the second-degree murder conviction. His chances of being paroled are much greater with the voluntary manslaughter conviction. He is now likely to be paroled in a little more than 36 years.

A co-defendant in the case, Jadrian Reyes, was acquitted by a jury in September 2006.

Prosecutors identified Chapman as the triggerman in the shooting death of the 18-year-old victim at a Citrus Heights party.

A star cornerback as well as a running back at Foothill, Chapman was on track for a possible college scholarship before he got arrested in the Voskoboinik homicide.

Voskoboinik, 18, a Folsom High graduate and immigrant from Latvia, was working in construction at the time of his death. He attended the party where the fatal shooting took place but authorities said he was not involved in a gang-related disagreement that prompted the shooting that took his life.

Sheriff's Department finds missing girls

From Bill Lindelof:

The Sacramento Sheriff's Department reports that two teenage girls who they believed might have been headed to Los Angeles with teenage boys have been found in Arden Arcade.

Autumn Marie Clark, 13, and her friend, Olive Lee Ann Gray, 14, were found at 11:25 a.m. by detectives in the area of Auburn Boulevard and Watt Avenue. One of the teen-age boys they were believed to be with when they disappeared was also found in the area.

He was to be questioned by detectives to determine if any crime had been committed. The girls were to be re-united with their parents.

Until found, the teen girls were last seen at Gray's home on Jeanine Drive near Elkhorn Boulevard and Interstate 80 on Sunday. When Gray's mother returned from work that evening the two girls were gone.

The girls were classified as "at risk" because of their age and because they have never before been reported missing

From Andy Furillo:

The 21-year-old man convicted in a drug-related slaying two years ago in South Land Park has been sentenced to a 15 years to life in prison.

Jonathan Hampton received the term last week in Sacramento Superior Court for the Feb. 15, 2007, shooting death of Jonathan Paul Giurbino, 19, on Fordham Way.

Prosecutors had argued for a first-degree murder conviction on Hampton, but the jury on Feb. 10 found Hampton guilty of second-degree murder.

From Andy Furillo:

A Sacramento prosecutor pointed his finger at accused murderer Jarrell Tyes today and told the jury that the defendant shot up a party that resulted in a straight-A student's homicide two years ago to show his friends and family that "he wasn't a punk."

Deputy District Attorney Rick Miller said Tyes may not have been gunning for Jelisa Office when he fired 13 times from his .40 caliber Taurus semiautomatic handgun on March 23, 2007 and killed her. But the prosecutor said in his closing argument that the shooting was deliberate and intentional and that it was enough for the jury to return a first-degree murder conviction against Tyes.

"You were sucked into a very sad world," Miller told the jury, about the night the 16-year-old honors student from Rio Linda High School was gunned down while attending a party in Del Paso Heights, and about the cast of witnesses who changed their stories from what they told police to what they testified to in court. "You see what people do to each other and what they'll do to protect one another.

"It may seem like a very sad decision for you, but we're still going to ask you for justice for Jelisa Office," Miller said.

Defense attorney Russ Miller conceded that his client, now 17, did the shooting that killed Office. But Russ Miller said Tyes did not go to Del Paso Heights with the intent to kill anybody. The lawyer said Tyes was responding to what he believed was a threat his brother faced and that he went out to the party to protect his younger sibling.

Evidence in the case showed that friends of Tyes' brother told the defendant that he would be considered a "punk" if he didn't go out to the party to defend him'

"It's what's in his mind that we're talking about," Russ Miller said, about his client's intent on the night of the killing and whether the homicide was an unreasonable effort at self defense and therefore a manslaughter case instead of a murder.

Russ Miller argued that a pause in the shooting when Tyes unloaded his gun may have suggested that somebody else was firing at his client. Rick Miller said there was no evidence to suggest that there was a second shooter or that Tyes was under attack.

Superior Court Judge Greta Curtis Fall was expected to give the jury its final instructions this afternoon, after which the six-man, six-woman panel was scheduled to begin deliberations.

From Kim Minugh:

A 44-year-old Sacramento woman died Monday night after she allowed her car to cross into oncoming traffic and collide with another vehicle, according to a California Highway Patrol news release.

Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in Michelle Dlallo's driving, CHP spokeswoman Officer Lizz Dutton wrote in the release.

A 46-year-old woman in the other vehicle was transported to Mercy San Juan Medical Hospital after she complained of pain to her chest, the release stated.

According to the CHP, Dlallo was driving eastbound on Madison Avenue, east of San Juan Avenue, when she allowed her 1993 Nissan Sentra to cross a raised concrete curb and head toward westbound traffic. Her car hit a 2001 Toyota pickup head-on.

A 2001 Kia Sportage driving behind the pickup also was involved in the collision, but the driver was not transported to the hospital.

Dlallo was transported to Mercy San Juan, where she was pronounced dead.

Pending toxicology reports will determine whether Dlallo was intoxicated, the CHP reported. She was driving with a suspended license, Dutton said. The Kia's driver had an expired license.

All involved were wearing seatbelts.

Bee Staff

Elk Grove police said officer arrested two Sacramento men on suspicion of violating a number of weapons and related laws after a loud party was shut down.

Officers shut down a loud part in the 10100 block of Frank Greg Way late Saturday night and then checked the area for suspicious activity, according to a police summary. A shooting had been reported at the party's location several weeks ago, the summary stated.

Officers stopped two vehicles in the 6400 block of Oscar Circle after which one of the passengers said there was a firearm inside one of the cars, the summary stated.

A search turned up a loaded .38-caliber Taurus revolver and additional ammunition, the summary stated.

Arrested were Aaronson Ware, 18, and a 16-year-old juvenile, the summary stated.

Bee Staff

Sacramento County sheriff's deputies have arrested a Sacramento caretaker on suspicion of assaulting a woman who he was caring for and dating, according to a report.

Deputies investigated the complaint of abuse against the victim about 11:47 a.m. in the 4500 block of Marconi Avenue. The deputies arrested Karl Wichelman, 51, the report states.

As well as being the victim's live-in caretaker, the suspect had been dating the victim "about 14 years," the report states.

On Saturday, witnesses said they heard the suspect yelling at the victim and heard what sounded like the victim being hit, the report states.

Deputies noted that the suspect weighs about 280 pounds and the victim weighs about 100 pounds and is unable to walk without assistance.

In September 2008, the victim told medical staff that the suspect had pushed her out of her wheelchair and had locked her in her room, the report states. The victim also told the medical staff that she was "fearful" of the suspect and was "afraid he was going to kill her," the report states.

Over the past year, deputies said neighbors had made several calls to police alleging the suspect was verbally and physically abusing the victim.

Bee Staff

A 17-year-old male who met a 15-year-old female over the Internet, sexually assaulted the teen while she was asleep, according to a Sacramento County Sheriff's Department report.

The suspect, who The Bee is not identifying because he is a juvenile, was arrested on suspicion of rape and the rape of someone who is asleep, the report states.

The attack occurred about 1 a.m. March 31 at an address on Via Casitas, the report states.

The suspect and victim "met online," the report states, and the victim invited the suspect to her residence to watch movies.

The suspect asked permission to perform a sex act on the victim and "after several minutes of saying 'no,'" the victim consented, the report states.

After the victim fell asleep, she awoke to find the suspect assaulting her, the report states. She told him to stop, the report states. The victim fell asleep again only to once again waking to find the suspect assaulting her.

By Bill Lindelof

A woman described by prosecutors as a Canadian drifter has entered a no contest plea to felony arson and vandalism in a Woodland house fire two years ago, according to the Yolo County District Attorney's office.

Claudine Fleury, 38, took up residence in a garage of the vacant house on Pershing Avenue in 2007. Asked to leave by a real estate agent, she returned and tried to burn the house down several times before she was arrested, according to the district attorney.

One of the fires destroyed the garage. Fleury was later arrested at the Wayfarer Homeless Shelter in Woodland.

At the time of her arrest she gave a false name to a detective, her true name not being discovered until months later, authorities say. Fluery entered her plea last Thursday and faces time in state prison.

By Kim Minugh

Sacramento police have arrested three men in connection with the 2006 killing of 18-year-old James Ramirez, authorities announced today.

The three suspects - 23-year-old Terry Alexander, 31-year-old Alex Brown and 31-year-old David Carrera - already were in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail on unrelated charges, according to police spokeswoman Officer Laura Peck.

All are expected to be arraigned Tuesday on one murder count each, according to jail booking records.

Ramirez, who was a recent McClatchy High School graduate, was shot to death at the front door of his South Land Park home on Jan. 3, 2006. Prior to the shooting, police said the suspects kidnapped two brothers from their home in the 2100 block of 18th Avenue and 21st Street and drove them to Ramirez's home, located in the 4500 block of Francis Court.

One of the kidnapped brothers summoned Ramirez to the door, where he was killed. One of the brothers was left at the home with Ramirez, and the other was dropped off in the 2100 block of 15th Avenue.

Police did not release any details regarding possible motivation.

By Kim Minugh

A man was punched and struck in the head with a rifle after two suspects broke into his Hagginwood area home Sunday night, according to Sacramento police.

Victims told police that two unknown men, both armed with rifles, broke into the residence on the 2000 block of Plover Street about 8 p.m., according to police spokesman Officer Konrad Von Schoech. When one of the victims began fighting with one of the suspects, the suspect punched the victim in the head several times. One of the suspects then struck him in the head with a rifle, Von Schoech said.

He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a head wound that was not serious, Von Schoech said.

The victim told police that nothing was stolen before the two suspects fled in a vehicle described to police as a gray or silver vehicle similar to a 2001 PT Cruiser. It had tinted windows and stock rims.

From Kim Minugh:

A bullet flew through a child's bedroom in Robla after two vehicles exchanged gunfire while driving through the area Sunday afternoon, according to Sacramento police.

It's unclear whether anyone was home during the shootout, which police described as a "rolling gun battle" between two vehicles. Nobody was injured and police have not located any of the suspects in the cars, said police spokesman Officer Konrad Von Schoech.

The gunfire was exchanged between a late-model red Mustang with black and chrome rims and an olive green Ford Expedition as the cars drove eastbound on Berthoud Street to southbound Norwood Avenue, police said. The Mustang appeared to be chased by the Expedition, witnesses told police.

Witnesses also reported seeing African-American men hanging out of the windows and shooting at each other, police said.

One home near the intersection of Berthoud and Norwood was confirmed to have been hit by gunfire. One round went through the exterior walls and into a child's bedroom, where the bullet was recovered, police said.

Shell casings and another bullet were recovered on Berthoud, police said.

From Kim Minugh:

The Sacramento County Coroner's Office has identified the victim of Saturday's homicide on Pasadena Avenue as 26-year-old Alexander Villa.

Villa's father, 50-year-old Jerry Villa, has been arrested in connection with the death, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Just before 11 p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a report of a stabbing on the corner of Pasadena Avenue and Hillswood Drive, said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tim Curran. There, they found the younger Villa suffering from a stab wound to the stomach. He was transported to a hospital, where he died, Curran said.

Deputies determined that Alexander Villa lived in a residence on the 3900 block of Pasadena Avenue. After questioning several people at the residence, deputies arrested Jerry Villa and booked him into the Sacramento County Main Jail on one count of murder.

The father and son had an ongoing dispute, which lead to the fatal stabbing, Curran said.

Jerry Villa is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

Saturday's homicide was the fifth in the sheriff's department's jurisdiction in 2009 - one of which was an officer-involved shooting.

By Niesha Lofing

Registration begins today for a summer camp program that teams Sacramento youth with area law enforcement.

The 23rd annual Kops-N-Kids camp provides children ages 9 through 13 with a week of sports, cheer and dance sessions with members of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The camp also features gang resistance, drug awareness and violence prevention materials and activities, the organization's Web site states.

Cost of the camp is $25 per camper for the week. The fee was lowered last year, down from $35, in light of the economic downturn, states a news release by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a participating agency.

The number of hot meals served each day was increased last year, an action that will continue this year. Campers also receive T-shirts, gear bags and prizes throughout the week.

Scholarships are available for students who have participated in the national Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program.

Carmichael Elks Lodge, Maloof Entertainment, the Sacramento River Cats, Elk Grove Subway, Noah's Bagels, Wells Fargo Bank, the Target Corp., the Coca Cola Bottling Company and other businesses are helping support the camp program.

Free busing is available from certain locations in the San Juan, Rio Linda, Twin Rivers, Elk Grove and Sacramento City Unified school districts.

The camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 15 through June 19 at Rosemont High School, 9584 Kiefer Boulevard, Sacramento.

For information about the camp, go to www.kopsnkids.com.

By Niesha Lofing

A Sacramento woman is facing burglary and other charges after allegedly breaking into a Woodland home Sunday.

A Woodland resident was awakened at 4:41 a.m. by noise in her home and found two people in her living room, Woodland police Sgt. Dan Letamendi stated in a news release.

The woman yelled for her husband and one of the burglars fled through the garage door, while the other person tried to leave through a locked sliding glass door.

The subject fought the homeowner and tried to use a metal flashlight as a weapon in an attempt to escape, he said.

The subject was detained without injury to the homeowner until police arrived.

Officers arrested Lisa Ann Tejeda, 18, on suspicion of residential burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and an identification hold. She is being held on $50,000 bail in Yolo County Jail.

Police used K-9 units and a California Highway Patrol helicopter, but could not locate the other subject.

A vehicle that Tejeda had a key to at the time of her arrest was towed and will be processed as evidence, Letamendi said.

About three hours after the alleged burglary, officers were called to a home in the 900 block of Farnham Drive.

Officers found a piece of property bearing the earlier victim's name inside a car parked nearby. Officers believe the two cases may be related, he said.

During the later burglary, the homeowner saw three people, two of whom were in the backyard, peering inside his windows, Letamendi said.

From Hudson Sangree:

Sacramento Sheriff's detectives say they arrested a father suspected of stabbing his son to death Saturday night.

At 10:49 p.m. deputies responded to a report of a stabbing near the intersection of Pasadena Avenue and Hillswood Drive, near Renfree Park, in the unincorporated area near Business 80, Sgt. Tim Curran said in a statement released Sunday.

They found a 26-year-old man with a stab wound to the abdomen. He was transported to an area hospital, where he died, according to Curran.

Investigators went to the victim's residence, in the 3900 block of Pasadena Avenue, where they questioned and arrested Jerry Villa, 50, the victim's father.

The victim and his father had had an ongoing dispute that led to the stabbing, the sheriff's department said.

Villa was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on one count of murder, according to the statement. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

A retired Placer County Sheriff's deputy faces charges in Sacramento County stemming from a road-rage incident earlier this year in Citrus Heights in which he is suspected of pulling a gun, records show.

The Sacramento County district attorney has charged Buddy Trumbo, 78, a retired Placer County sheriff's deputy, with two misdemeanor counts - brandishing a weapon and impersonating a police officer, according to documents filed in Sacramento County Superior Court.

Trumbo - who also formerly was the police chief in Plymouth, a small town in Amador County - is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday stemming from the Feb. 6 incident.

Trumbo is accused of flashing a badge and pulling a gun on James Torrez, 46, of Citrus Heights after Torrez allegedly cut him off coming out of a parking lot near the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Van Maren Lane, according to a Citrus Heights Police Department report.

Trumbo is accused of swerving his SUV in front of Torrez at a nearby red light and holding a pistol at him, all the while telling him he was under arrest and trying to handcuff him, according to Torrez's statement to police.

"He was screaming at me to get on the ground and get out of the car," Torrez said in an interview.

Trumbo disputed the motorist's version of events in a phone interview. Trumbo said he did nothing wrong and that he feared for his safety and the safety of others. He claimed Torrez was acting too erratically.

"If he was a normal person, I could have just talked to him," said Trumbo. "He screamed and yelled and cursed me."

Trumbo was cited and released following the incident.

Trumbo said he planned to enter a not guilty plea.

"I've carried a gun for 40 years and never had an incident (until that day)," he said.

If convicted, Trumbo could face jail time, according to court documents.

Torrez said he's upset that Trumbo is not charged with a felony.

"I don't think (the charges) were a fair judgment on what happened," Torrez said.

Bee Staff

The theme was bad driving earlier this week as Elk Grove police busted a suspected car thief and a juvenile driving without a license but with illegal drugs, police records show.

The first arrested occurred about noon Thursday when an officer spotted stolen vehicle. The suspect fled in the vehicle but the quickly abandoned the vehicle. However, he could hide from a K-9 unit.

William Donovan, 18, was booked in jail on suspicion of various charges.

About 9:45 p.m. that same day, an officer pulled a car over for a traffic violation. The driver's problems escalated from there.

The officer found the driver, a 17-year-old male, was driving without a license. As he was being arrested, officers found illegal drugs.

The suspect was transported to juvenile hall.

From Chelsea Phua:

Citrus Heights police are seeking a man who robbed a Metro PCS store clerk at gunpoint Friday afternoon.

According to a news release, the robber walked into the store at 7877 Lichen Drive about 3:20 p.m. and demanded money from the employee, who was by himself. The robber pointed a black handgun at the employee, walked him to the rear of the store and kept him in a storage room. The robber took money from the register and fled. Police said he might also have taken other items.

The employee was not injured.

The robber is described as a black man about 25 to 30 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall and 150 pounds. He was wearing a grey sweat shirt, dark blue sweat pants, red beanie, black gloves, black tennis shoes and carrying a dark backpack.

From Kim Minugh:

A Sacramento County jury convicted a 23-year-old man this week for the 2006 murder of 18-year-old Jack Lawrence.

Ceron Hill, who was 20 at the time of the murder, was convicted of first-degree murder with an enhancement for personal use of a firearm, according to Shelly Orio, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office.

He will be sentenced May 15.

Hill fatally shot Lawrence during an altercation in front of the Evergreen Shopping Complex on Mack Road in March of 2006, The Bee reported at the time. Lawrence, who suffered a gunshot wound in the chest, died at the UC Davis Medical Center.

Bee Staff:

Roseville police are asking the public's help in finding a trailer loaded with plastic Easter eggs that was stolen from a church.

Bayside Church of Central Roseville reported that sometime in mid-January a small cargo trailer was stolen from the parking lot of their administrative offices in the 1000 block of Melody Lane, according to Dee Dee Gunther, Roseville police spokeswoman.

"They are sorely missing the trailer now, because it contained 20,000 plastic Easter eggs, a public announcement system, and other supplies needed for children's church and for their community Easter egg hunt at Cirby Elementary School on April 11," Gunther said in a news release.

The stolen trailer is a white 2005 six-foot by twelve-foot Pace American box trailer. (A photo at left is of a trailer similar to the one stolen.)

Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to call the Roseville Police Investigations Unit at (916) 774-5070, or Roseville Crime Stoppers at (916) 783-6867.

Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for anonymous tips leading to arrest.

From Bill Lindelof:

The Orangevale motorcyclist who died Wednesday afternoon on Hazel Avenue after his motorcycle hit a car has been identified as 35-year-old Christian Bidgood.

Bidgood was driving a Kawasaki ZX6R southbound at a high rate of speed near Lake Nimbus Drive about 4:15 p.m., according to a California Highway Patrol news release.

A 68-year-old woman from Fair Oaks was turning left toward Lake Nimbus Drive and into Bidgood's path, the CHP said. Bidgood's motorcyclist hit the right side of her car and was thrown from his bike, the CHP said.

He was taken by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later.

The woman was knocked unconscious by the impact, and her car rolled down Lake Nimbus Drive for several hundred feet until a passer-by helped stop it, the CHP said.

Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash, the CHP said.

From Bill Lindelof:

A routine traffic stop in Lincoln has resulted in the arrest of a Sacramento man and woman on drug and other charges.

After the vehicle stop Thursday night, Lincoln Police discovered the woman in the car had an outstanding traffic warrant and the man was on parole. Officers searched the vehicle and found a small bag of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and "shaved" keys, commonly used in the theft of cars.

The suspects, both booked into Placer County Jail, were identified as Christopher Amant, 41, and Carolyn Anderson, 36.

Amant is being held on suspicion of drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of burglary tools and parole violation. Anderson was booked on a $20,000 warrant, suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.

From Bill Lindelof:

A husband-and-wife team suspected of ripping off wallets and purses from lockers in a string of Sacramento-area gyms has been arrested. The pair is responsible for more than 40 thefts, authorities say.

The arrest of Robert Martinez, 36, and his wife, Angela Martinez, 34, was the result of a long identity-theft investigation by the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force.

The suspects are in the Sacramento County Jail facing charges of identity theft, forgery, burglary, possession of stolen property and vehicle theft.

A Sacramento County Sheriff's Department news release says the woman suspect did the initial dirty work, entering locker rooms at various 24-Hour Fitness Centers in the region and breaking into lockers. She stole items including purses, wallets, credit cards, checkbooks, gym membership cards and car keys, the release states.

Officials believe the couple made more than 40 thefts since November.

The task force is comprised of 33 local, state and federal law enforcement and prosecuting agencies. A press conference is scheduled for today.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire officials arrested a 23-year-old man Thursday after he allegedly started a fire at a residential care facility in Rio Linda, according to authorities.

Jason James Murray was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on Thursday on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, arson of an inhabited building and violating terms of probation, according to jail booking records. He was being held on $185,000 bail.

About 3 p.m. Thursday, Sacramento Metropolitan firefighters responded to a fire at 505 M St. in Rio Linda, according to a district news release. A foam-stuffed sofa and window blinds in the living room were burning, but the fire was controlled by a sprinkler head, the release states.

"If not for the sprinkler system in the facility, we could possibly be dealing with multiple fatalities," district spokesman Capt. Christian Pebbles wrote in the release.

Witnesses told investigators that the suspect was observed flicking matches at a resident and within the living room, according to the release. One resident suffered minor burns.

From Chelsea Phua:

A 50-year-old Sacramento man and his 73-year-old mother were arrested on Wednesday after the man allegedly pulled gun on his brother and his mother tried to hide the gun for him, police said.

Adeline Rodriguez helped her son, Carlos Arias, by hiding the gun in a bag she was carrying. Police also found a pound of heroin and $8,000 in cash inside the bag, department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said.

Police said they also impounded a new Harley Davidson motorcycle belonging to Arias.

Arias' brother called police about 5 p.m. on Wednesday to report that he had been arguing with Arias and Arias threatened him with the gun. When police arrived at the scene in the 3200 block of Santa Cruz Way, Arias had left, Leong said.

Police found him inside a truck at Fruitridge Road and Stockton Boulevard. As they were arresting him, they noticed an elderly woman walking away from the area, looking suspicious, Leong said.

When police later interviewed witnesses at Santa Cruz Way, they learned that the elderly woman was Arias' mother and found her at a Burger King near Fruitridge Road and Stockton Boulevard, Leong said.

Rodriguez and Arias were charged with possession of heroin for sale. Arias was also arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, police said. Police said they also found another gun at a residence on Santa Cruz Way.

Bee Staff

A Roseville man faces charges for shining a handheld laser into the cockpit of two aircraft.

Balltazar O. Valladares, 29, was indicted Thursday in federal court in Sacramento on two counts of interference with the safe operation of an aircraft by shining a powerful handheld laser into the cockpit, according to Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Matthew D. Segal, the indictment alleges that on the night of March 26 Valladares interfered with a jetliner that was on approach to Sacramento airport with 137 passengers aboard and attempted to interfere with a law enforcement helicopter sent to investigate the laser hit on the jetliner. Valladares shined a green laser at each aircraft, according to the indictment.

After the helicopter crew located Valladares, Roseville police officers arrested him and recovered a laser from his residence.

From Chelsea Phua:

Sacramento police said today that an unusual firearm was stolen in a Feb. 5 home invasion in the Land Park neighborhood.

Two elderly residents were attacked in the robbery.

Police said they have since discovered that a 1942 German Luger handgun was stolen from the victims' home in the 4400 block of Mead Avenue.

Police said the two men had forced their way into the home. One of the victims, an 88-year-old man, suffered moderate injuries when one of the intruders struck him in the head with an object.

The men then ransacked the home while keeping the victims in the room for several hours. The intruders fled with a small amount of cash and the gun.

Police described the first intruder as a white man in his 30s, 5 feet 8 inches tall, medium build with tidy, short blonde hair. He was wearing black clothing, black gloves and black shoes with wrap around stitching on the top area.

The second man is describes as possibly Latino, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds with dark hair. He was wearing a two-tone jacket and gloves.

Police also believe that the two intruders may be involved in a home invasion robbery on Rhine River Court in Rancho Cordova on Jan. 11. In that case, Sacramento County Sheriff's officials said the two victims were also elderly and the suspects had descriptions similar to the intruders in the Land Park case.

One was described as a white man in his 20s and between 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and the other a white or Latino man in his 20s with short brown hair. A green full-size Dodge pick-up truck was used in the crime.

The Sacramento Police Department asks anyone with information to contact Crime Alert at 916-443-HELP or (800) AA-Crime. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

From Cathy Locke:

El Dorado County Animal Services is searching for the owner of a dog that bit a woman Wednesday morning in El Dorado Hills.

The woman was walking her own dog in front of Lake Forest Elementary School on Salisbury Drive when she was bitten, according to a county Health Services Department news release. The dog, which was on a leash with its female owner, was described as a large black and white Newfoundland.

Although injury from the bite was described as minor, the skin was broken. Animal Services officials would like to speak with the owner to verify that the dog is current on its rabies vaccination so the woman does not have to go through post-exposure rabies treatments.

Anyone with information may contact Animal Services at (530) 621-5795.

From Bee Staff:

The Sacramento Police Department will conduct a sobriety and drivers license checkpoint on Friday in the south area of the city, according to a news release.

Officers will check for alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, the release said. Officers will also check to driver's licenses.

The checkpoint is part of a program funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the release said.

Bee Staff

Elk Grove Police Department officers have arrested two juvenile burglary suspects, thanks to a witness who decided to get involved, according to a police summary.

The witness saw the pair breaking into a home in the 10100 block of Brian Kelly Way at about 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, the summary said.

The suspects entered the residence through a window and were trying to remove property when the witness scared the suspects into fleeing and then followed them until officer arrived, the summary said.

The suspects, one 15 years old and the other 16, are Elk Grove residents, police said. Both suspects were taken to juvenile hall.

The FBI is seeking information leading to the identity of a suspect responsible for a Rancho Cordova bank robbery, Sacramento Crime Alert officials report.

According to authorities, on April 28, 2008, the man (right photo) entered the bank, brandished a handgun and ordered the bank manager to put the employees into the break room. The suspect then went to tellers and removed cash from each station, putting it all into a briefcase. The suspect exited the bank and was observed running out of the parking lot.

The suspect is described as approximately 55 to 58 years old, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, wearing a white collared, button-up style shirt and black sports coat. He is considered to be armed and dangerous, officials said.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to contact Crime Alert at (800) AA-CRIME or (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

From Stan Oklobdzija:

Two Sacramento women were arrested last week in connection with the armed robbery of two people inside the Century Downtown movie theater March 11, Sacramento Police Department officials said.

Gaylon Beason (left photo), 24 and Angie Patton (right photo), 20, were linked to the robbery of two women inside the downtown movie theater after being arrested for another robbery at 46th and Q streets March 14, police officials said. The two allegedly used force to take two cell phones from the victims, police said.

Detectives were able to link the duo to the earlier robbery in the theater, when they allegedly sat next to two women at the conclusion of an afternoon movie, produced a knife and demanded money, police said.

The two are both in Sacramento County Main Jail on $55,000 bail, booking records show.

From Kim Minugh:

An 18-year-old Laguna Creek High School student was arrested this morning for bringing a handgun on campus, according to authorities.

Trevon Lamar Ferguson told deputies he brought the gun for protection, though he never brandished it, said Sacramento County sheriff's Sgt. Tim Curran.

Ferguson told deputies he recently had a "tumultuous" breakup with his girlfriend, and that the girl had threatened to have her "posse" beat him up, Curran said.

School administrators received a tip that Ferguson was carrying a gun, and immediately notified the school resource officer, who is a sheriff's deputy. The deputy contacted Ferguson and arrested him after finding a small semiautomatic handgun in his backpack, Curran said.

Curran said the suspect has no known connection to gangs.

Ferguson was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail this afternoon on one felony count each of bringing a firearm onto school grounds, possessing a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed firearm on his person, according to jail booking records.

He is being held on $30,000 bail.

Curran said administrators sent a letter home with students today notifying parents of the incident.

From Kim Minugh:

Sacramento police have announced that a report of an attempted kidnapping in Natomas last week is unfounded.

A 10-year-old boy had told police that someone had attempted to kidnap him near Natomas Park Elementary School on Thursday. After a thorough investigation, the boy recanted his statement today and admitted that he had made up the suspect descriptions, according to Sacramento police Officer Konrad Von Schoech.

School officials have been notified of the findings, Von Schoech said.

From Bill Lindelof:

A routine stop for a traffic violation in Lincoln resulted in the arrest of two parolees when drugs and stolen property were found in their vehicle.

After making the stop Friday, Lincoln police learned that Eric Simeroth, 37, of the Placer County community of Sheridan and Trenton Baker, 27, of Lincoln were on parole, prompting officers to search their vehicle.

Officers found property from a residential burglary that occurred in Lincoln last week. Officers also found drug paraphernalia.

Simeroth was arrested and booked into Placer County Jail on suspicion of receiving stolen property and violation of his parole terms. Baker was arrested and released after being cited for suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia.

From Bill Lindelof:

Sacramento police have arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman in Oak Park.

Darrell Rogers is in custody after being arrested on suspicion of burglary and assault.

Police said the incident began Tuesday night when a man knocked on the door of an apartment on First Avenue and asked to use the restroom. A woman at the house, believing she recognized the man from the neighborhood, allowed him inside.

After entering the house, the man sexually assaulted another woman in a back bedroom, police say. The victim had been sleeping when the assault began.

She awakened and fought the attacker before she and the other woman fled the apartment and called police, who arrested Rogers.

From Bill Lindelof:

A 23-year-old woman told Sacramento police she was wounded when a gun she found in a park discharged after she stuck it in her waistband.

The woman, whom police declined to identify, said on Tuesday she was walking with her sister in North Laguna Park when she found a semi-automatic pistol on the ground. When she tried to shove it into her waistband, the weapon fired a round that hit her in the lower abdomen.

The woman was taken to Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center for treatment. Police took the report on the accidental shooting at the hospital.

"The point is that if you find a gun, don't touch it," said Sacramento police Officer Konrad Von Schoech. "Call the police immediately."

Officers later searched part of the park but did not find the weapon where the woman said she dropped it after the shooting.

Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.