SCV Sheriff - News Room

Red Flag Weather Expected

The National Weather Service is predicting weather conditions which will constitute a "Red Flag Warning" in areas of the Santa Clarita Valley and Los Angeles County from 12:00 p.m. today through 6:00 p.m. New Year's Day, Tuesday January 01, 2008.  A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected to occur.  A combination of strong winds and low humidity could increase fire growth potential. 

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station would like to remind all Santa Clarita Valley residents to follow a few simple safety measures during this period and immediately report any suspicious activity or vehicles in fire prone areas to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121. 

Santa Clarita Valley residents should do the following:

• Immediately report any sign of smoke to the sheriff's station and fire department - Call 9-1-1
• Use extreme caution when operating spark or flame producing equipment in fire prone areas
• Have an evacuation plan in place and identify two exit routes from your neighborhood
• Be prepared to follow the instructions of emergency services personnel 
• Immediately report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
• Write down information pertaining to suspicious persons or vehicles in fire prone areas such as, time of day, area of travel, license plate number, vehicle description, physical description, etc. 

Additional wildfire safety tips can be found on the Los Angeles County Fire Department Website. 

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and SCV TV. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814. 

SCV Sheriffs Stress Safe New Year

As the New Year approaches, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station would like to remind all residents to celebrate responsibly.  Successful New Year's Eve celebrations begin with careful planning and prudent judgment and any alcohol related event should include arrangements for designated drivers or other safe alternative accommodations.  A designated driver is an individual within a group of people drinking alcoholic beverages at an event/establishment who remains sober to drive the others home afterwards. 

"We can't stress enough the importance of celebrating New Year's Eve without endangering yourself, loved ones, or others in the community", said Captain Anthony La Berge.  "Make it a joyous start to 2008, not a tragic one!"   

Every year during the holiday season, and particularly on New Year's Eve, some individuals make poor choices such as drinking alcohol and driving or firing bullets into the air in "celebration".  The critical importance of avoiding either of these cannot be overstated, as they can both have deadly results. 

Many times, individuals involved in celebrating New Year's Eve with gunfire do not realize the dangers posed by their actions.  When a bullet is fired into the air it will climb two miles, remain in flight for more than a minute, and ultimately fall back to earth with enough velocity to injure or kill someone.  At the very least, this method of celebration could result in severe consequences from law enforcement officials and the judicial system.   

In an effort to keep everyone safe and ensure we all have a cheerful transition into 2008, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will be increasing patrols in many areas during the New Year's Eve holiday and will be specifically looking for drunk drivers and those who choose to celebrate in an unlawful manner.   

Don't Drink and Drive!  Remember, underage drinking is against the law, but don't complicate matters by also driving.  Be aware that the Santa Clarita Safe Rides is a program independent of the Sheriff's Department that provides free, safe and confidential rides home to teenagers who are not in a condition to drive or want to avoid being a passenger with a dangerous driver.  On New Years Eve or any Friday or Saturday night you can simply call (661) 259-6330.  Although the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department does support the free service, as it has undoubtedly helped save lives, we do not condone underage/teenage drinking.  The fact is, since programs such as Safe Rides and Every 15 Minutes have been in existence, D.U.I. related traffic collisions and deaths involving teenage drivers have decreased remarkably in the Santa Clarita Valley.  Drunk Driving: Over the Limit - Under Arrest!  Stay Safe - Stay Sober - Stay Alive!   

By following a few precautionary holiday safety guidelines and making responsible choices, we can all have the peaceful and uneventful holiday experience we envision and deserve.  On behalf of all the staff at your Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, Happy New Year! 

Read more about D.U.I. from the National Transportation Safety Board Alert and statistics by clicking here.

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and SCV TV. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814. 

Teenage Taggers Arrested

Thursday - December 27, 2007 - 11:10 a.m. - Unincorporated Los Angeles County - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  Two Saugus youths were arrested on vandalism related charges Thursday after an alert United States Forestry employee spotted them tagging a utility control box near Capra Road and Soledad Canyon Road.  The forestry official provided a detailed description of the subjects, and the vehicle used during the crime, and deputies began checking the area.  Deputies spotted the vehicle and the two subjects nearly a mile away, near Stonecrest Drive and Soledad Canyon Road, and detained them.  Deputies report that they recovered graffiti tools and other evidence linking the two subjects to the crime.  Both youths, male Hispanics age 17, were booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony Vandalism charges and misdemeanor charges of Possession of Graffiti Tools.  They were later released to their parents on a citation pending future court proceedings.  -ref 23685

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and SCV TV. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814. 

Suspected Car Burglar Arrested

Wednesday - December 26, 2007 - 6:00 p.m. - Saugus:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  A Granada Hills man was arrested Wednesday evening after allegedly breaking into a parked car, attempting to steal a G.P.S. System, and punching the vehicle's owner when he was confronted.  Deputies responded to the 28000 block of Bouquet Canyon Road, near the Circle K Store, where an off-duty deputy had reportedly spotted the man breaking into a car. 

The owner of the car became involved and confronted the suspect in the parking lot, where the man reportedly punched him, and the two began fighting as the victim attempted to defend himself.  Deputies detained and arrested the suspect.  They also recovered an altered metal coat hanger at the scene.   

The suspect, Carl Peterson, MW/50, was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on a felony charge of Burglary and a misdemeanor Battery charge.  The suspect was also on parole and was subsequently booked on a felony Parole Violation charge.  He is being held without bail.  There is no further information at this time.  -ref 23635

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and SCV TV. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814. 

Christmas Day Burglar Apprehended

Tuesday - December 25, 2007 - 6:55 p.m. - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley - A Canyon Country youth, MW/17, was arrested on burglary and weapons charges Tuesday night.  A Canyon Country resident, who is also a United States Marshall, reportedly caught the subject inside his garage in the 19000 block of Keaton Street and detained him until deputies arrived. 

During the detention, the homeowner reportedly recovered a knife, gloves and a mask in a backpack the subject was carrying.  Deputies searched a nearby home where the subject resides and reportedly recovered additional property that is believed to be stolen during other residential burglaries, which occurred in the neighborhood over the past three months. 

The subject was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony charges of Burglary and Possession of a Deadly Weapon.  He was later transported to Sylmar Juvenile Hall for housing pending future court proceedings.  There is no further information at this time.  -ref 23852

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and SCV TV. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814. 

Hooded Bandit Robs Video Store at Gunpoint

Sunday - December 23, 2007 - 8:00 p.m. - Canyon Country:

Deputies are investigating an armed robbery which occurred Sunday evening at the Video Liquidators Store in the 26800 block of Reuther Avenue.  Deputies responded to the location after a man, described as a male white, 30-35, 5'09"-6'00 tall, 180-200 pounds, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and armed with a black handgun, reportedly entered the store and held the employee at gunpoint and obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and thousands of DVD's.  The suspect then fled the location in an unknown direction.  Deputies checked the area, but were not able to locate the suspect.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.   

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Robbery/Assault Team at (661) 255-1121. -ref 23505

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and SCV TV. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814.

Show is Over for Television Thieves

Sunday - December 23, 2007 - 11:50 a.m. - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley - Two Los Angeles men were arrested Sunday after allegedly attempting to steal a flat screen television from the Canyon Country Wal-Mart Store and apparently successfully stealing one from the Lancaster Wal-Mart Store. 

Deputies responded to the store where a loss prevention officer indicated that two men ran from him when he attempted to detain them in the parking lot after they reportedly stole a flat screen television.  The loss prevention officer managed to recover the flat screen television and with the information he provided, deputies began searching for the suspects. 

An alert deputy spotted a vehicle, near Soledad Canyon Road and Solamint Road, which matched the description of the one used in the crime.  After a felony traffic stop, deputies arrested Norbert Aceves, MH/28, and recovered two flat screen televisions, one that is believed to be stolen from the Lancaster Wal-Mart and a second which has not yet been determined. 

The deputies identified the second suspect, but he was not in the vehicle.  That suspect, Marcio Troncoso, MH/21, was arrested later Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of the Santa Clarita Valley Courthouse, after a female friend of suspect Aceves came to the station in an attempt to pick up his vehicle.  Deputies checked the court parking lot and found suspect Troncoso sitting in a vehicle. 

Detectives are investigating if this incident of theft may be related to a similar incident of theft (-ref 22775) that occurred on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, from the same Canyon Country Wal-Mart Store. During that incident the suspects, who matched the description of those in this case, also attempted to steal flat screen televisions. 

Both suspects in this case were booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.  Suspect Aceves faces felony Burglary charges and misdemeanor charges of Possession of Marijuana.  He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail pending future court proceedings.  Suspect Troncoso faces felony Burglary charges.  He also had two warrants and is being held in lieu of 41,522.00 bail pending future court proceedings.  There is no further information at this time.  -ref 23484 and 22775

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and SCV TV. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814. 

Red Flag Weather Expected

The National Weather Service is predicting weather conditions which will constitute a "Red Flag Warning" in areas of the Santa Clarita Valley - Los Angeles and Ventura Counties from 10:00 p.m. today through 8:00 p.m. Christmas night, Tuesday December 25, 2007.  A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected to occur.  A combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures could increase fire growth potential. 

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station would like to remind all Santa Clarita Valley residents to follow a few simple safety measures during this period and immediately report any suspicious activity or vehicles in fire prone areas to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121. 

Santa Clarita Valley residents should do the following:

• Immediately report any sign of smoke to the sheriff's station and fire department - Call 9-1-1
• Use extreme caution when operating spark or flame producing equipment in fire prone areas
• Have an evacuation plan in place and identify two exit routes from your neighborhood
• Be prepared to follow the instructions of emergency services personnel 
• Immediately report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
• Write down information pertaining to suspicious persons or vehicles in fire prone areas such as, time of day, area of travel, license plate number, vehicle description, physical description, etc. 

Additional wildfire safety tips can be found on the Los Angeles County Fire Department Website. 

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and SCV TV. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814. 

Attempted Kidnapping - Canyon Country

Wednesday - December 19, 2007 - 4:15 p.m. - Canyon Country:

Quick thinking teen... A 13-year-old girl got off the bus after school and headed home.  She was walking north on Sierra Highway near Adon Avenue in Canyon County when she heard a man call her from a white van.  He offered her a ride.  She ignored the man and continued walking.  When she looked back, the van was stopped and the man was standing outside the van.  She began to run towards her home.  The van then pulled into a driveway in front of her, blocking her path.  The teen turned back and ran into the Travel Lodge office.  She advised the staff of the problem and they provided her a safe ride home.  The suspect is described as male Hispanic in his mid 30's.  He was dark complected and wearing a white tee shirt and blue pants. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Robbery/Assault Team at (661) 255-1121.  -ref 23286     

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Two other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220 and The Signal. For questions regarding this release, contact Lieutenant Cambra at (661) 799-5815. 

Two Arrested at D.U.I. Checkpoint

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station conducted a D.U.I./Drivers License enforcement checkpoint Friday night.  The checkpoint, which began at 7:00 p.m. and concluded at 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, December 15, 2007, was conducted on northbound Mcbean Parkway, north of Avenue Scott. 

The goal of the checkpoint was to educate the community on the hazards of drunk driving while enforcing the D.U.I. and drivers license laws of the State of California. The checkpoints are an ongoing attempt to safely remove drunk and unlicensed drivers from our streets and deter those who may be considering drinking and driving or operating a vehicle without a valid license.

A total of 1,164 vehicles were screened as they passed through the checkpoint.  Three of the vehicles were pulled out of traffic lanes where the drivers received further testing.  Two of those drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence.  In addition, five drivers were cited for driving without valid drivers licenses.  Their vehicles were also impounded.      

Funding for this enforcement and prevention program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Traffic Department at (661) 799-5110 for additional information.   

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Two other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220 and The Signal. For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814.