SCV Sheriff - News Room

Sheriff Bicycle Patrols Keep Paseos Safe

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  Deputies assigned to the City of Santa Clarita / Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Community Interaction (C.I.T.) Team conducted bicycle patrols of the paseos throughout the City of Santa Clarita Friday night. 

The deputies, both in uniform and undercover, are commonly utilized to patrol the paseos and surrounding terrain at undisclosed and random times throughout the year to ensure the safety and serenity of the City of Santa Clarita's more than 20 miles of picturesque trails designed for bicycle commuting and recreational use.

During Friday's operation, deputies observed, contacted, and detained several juveniles and other individuals on or near the paseos, at various times throughout the night, who were involved in suspected unlawful activities.  When the safety and enforcement operation had concluded, three juveniles were cited for possession of marijuana, two juveniles were arrested for burglary and receiving stolen property, two juveniles were cited for possession of tobacco products and one adult was arrested on a warrant for possession of marijuana. 

"These enforcement and safety operations send a clear message to anyone considering using our paseo systems for unlawful purposes such as loitering, alcohol consumption, drug use, or to commit acts of vandalism, that there is a very good chance they will be contacted by our deputies," said Captain La Berge.   

The deputies will conduct similar operations in the coming days to ensure our residents have the safest possible paseo access to parks, entertainment venues and shopping centers, throughout the City of Santa Clarita.  This safety program also offers the deputies uninhibited and discrete patrol access to all areas, trails, and businesses.      

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 The West Ranch Beacon.  For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814.   

Three 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. on Friday, March 28, 2008, and concluded at 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, March 29, 2008, was conducted on eastbound Valencia Boulevard, east of Creekside Drive.   

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 1,014 vehicles passed through the checkpoint and 916 were screened.  Eight vehicles were pulled out of traffic lanes where the drivers received further testing.  Three of those drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence.  One driver was additionally charged with possession of narcotics.  In addition, eight drivers were cited for traffic violations.       

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.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and The West Ranch Beacon.  For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814.   

D.U.I. / Drivers License Checkpoint

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station will be conducting a D.U.I. / Drivers License enforcement checkpoint beginning on Friday, March 28, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. and concluding at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 29, 2008.  The goal of the checkpoint is to educate the community on the hazards of drunk driving while enforcing the D.U.I. laws of the State of California. The checkpoint is 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. The location of the checkpoint will be determined based on previous D.U.I. activity and statistics.  The actual location will be announced at a later time. 

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.

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 The West Ranch Beacon.  For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814.   

Two Arrested After Assault

Tuesday - March 25, 2008 - 5:00 p.m. - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  Deputies arrested two Canyon Country residents on assault charges Tuesday.  The deputies responded to a fight call in the 28000 block of Whites Canyon Road to reports of several males fighting with baseball bats and a knife.  When the deputies arrived they found a victim, MH/16, of Canyon Country had sustained a laceration to his neck during the altercation and the suspects had fled.  The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he is undergoing treatment.  The injury is not believed to be life threatening.   

Deputies continued their investigation which led them to a nearby apartment where two individuals were arrested in connection with the crime.  Deputies also recovered two baseball bats and a machete inside the apartment that are believed to be the weapons used during the incident.  The incident may be gang related.  No one else was injured.      

Wender Mulatillo, MH/18, and a male Hispanic juvenile were booked at the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station on felony charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  Mulatillo is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail and the juvenile was transported to Sylmar Juvenile Hall for housing pending future court proceedings.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 05305

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. 

Message from the Captain - SCV Sheriff

A new message from Captain Anthony La Berge has been posted on the station's website.  The opening paragraph can be read below and the entire message can be found at the following link: Captain's Message - March 2008.

MESSAGE FROM THE CAPTAIN
ANTHONY LA BERGE
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SHERIFF’S STATION

MARCH 2008

Greetings!

As the unit commander of your Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, I must constantly evaluate how we can best serve the needs of the community and keep all residents in the Santa Clarita Valley safe.  We are already three months into 2008 and the year-end crime statistics for 2007 have been compiled.  As a result, I once again find myself assessing and attempting to identify what the rest of the year could bring, and how we can best accomplish our many goals and meet the community’s expectations.  I am under the firm belief that as we move forward, we must look back and learn from our previous experiences.  Read more...

Suspected Statewide PayQuick Thieves Arrested **UPDATE**

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley - Two suspects who were being sought in connection with as many as 80 incidents of theft from ARCO "PayQuick Island Cashier" (PIC) machines, totaling more than $230,000 in cash losses, are now in custody in Chehalis, Washington. 

The thefts occurred throughout the State of California from San Diego to Sacramento, dating back to January 2007.  The suspects were originally identified after they allegedly committed two similar thefts in the Santa Clarita Valley in January 2008 and video stills obtained from the crimes were posted on the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's website at SCVSheriff.com.  Within days of the Santa Clarita Valley crimes and the posting of the pictures, the suspects were positively identified through the website and a law enforcement bulletin, detailing their crimes and identities, was circulated to agencies throughout California. 

The  original press releases can be found at the following links: PayQuick Thefts - posting 1 and PayQuick Thefts - posting 2.

The suspects apparently continued to commit crimes, as similar incidents were reported in the states of Oregon and Washington and detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station circulated law enforcement bulletins in those states. 

On Thursday morning, March 20, 2008, the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, Chehalis Washington, had a theft from an ARCO "PayQuick Island Cashier" (PIC) machine at a gas station at 116 US Highway 12 near the Interstate 5 Golden State Freeway.  A short time later the vehicle was stopped by Lewis County Sheriff's Deputies.  Robert Jesse Miller and Rhonda Rene Silva, who are suspected in the crimes, were both taken into custody without incident.  They were booked at the Lewis County Jail and are facing felony charges of Second Degree Theft and First Degree Malicious Mischief.  They are each being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.  Lewis County Deputy Sheriffs reportedly found large amounts of currency and tools consistent with the crimes in the suspects' vehicle.  Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station are also seeking charges in the two Santa Clarita cases.   

The list of areas and cities in California where similar crimes have occurred is as follows:  San Diego, Moreno, Lodi, Grass Valley, Ceres, Citrus Heights, Long Beach, Merced, Turlock, Riverbank, Salide, Manteca, Kingsburg, Fremont, Tulare, Oakland, Sacramento, Fairfield, Redding, Bakersfield, Madera, Santa Nella, Stockton, Fresno, Modesto, Rocklin, San Leandro, Hayward, Yuba City, Brentwood, San Jose, Milpitas, Foster City, Castro Valley, Santa Clarita, Santa Clara, North Highlands, Newhall, Redwood City, Mountain View, Studio City, Ceres, Riverbank, Oakdale, Desert Hot Springs, Calimesa, Cabazon, Danville, Salinas and Las Vegas Nevada.    

For additional information visit the following link: "SCV Sheriff Most Wanted" or read the following Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Bulletin. 

Press inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Harris of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 799-5814 or ARCO Spokesperson Todd Spitler at (714) 228-6717.  Please do not contact the detective directly unless you have information pertaining to the crimes.        

Anyone with information regarding these crimes or similar crimes in their jurisdiction should contact Detective Steve McCauley at (661) 799-5138 or the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121.  -ref 00954 / 01031

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.com, 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.

Wanted Felon Nabbed After Pursuit and Containment

Tuesday - March 18, 2008 - 3:45 p.m. - Valencia:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  An alert Community Interaction Team (CIT) deputy put an end to the run of a wanted felon Tuesday afternoon.  The deputy saw the suspect driving erratically near McBean Parkway and Rockwell Canyon Road and followed him.  The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop and the suspect turned into the Target Store parking lot at 24425 Magic Mountain Parkway and failed to stop.  The suspect stopped momentarily near the Mervyn's Department Store and the right front passenger of the vehicle got out and ran through the parking lot, towards Magic Mountain Parkway.  The driver then sped away in the vehicle. 

The deputy broadcast the information to responding deputies and began to pursue the vehicle.  The suspect continued onto Creekside Road to northbound McBean Parkway, eventually crossing into southbound traffic lanes and crashing into a planter and parked car in the 24100 block of McBean Parkway.  The suspect fled on foot into a nearby apartment complex and the deputies established a containment of the area.  A property manager at the location noticed that the door to a vacant apartment in another area of the complex was locked, even though it had previously been left unlocked.  She alerted an off-duty police officer from another agency.  They entered the apartment and found the suspect hiding in a closet.  The off-duty officer held the suspect at gunpoint until the deputies were notified and quickly responded, ultimately taking the suspect into custody. 

Deputies report that in the car they found a replica firearm, tools commonly used to commit burglaries, narcotic paraphernalia, pepper spray and other identification documents belonging to the suspect.  When the suspect was searched deputies reportedly recovered methamphetamine and personal identifying information belonging to other individuals.  The suspect, Aaron Kellingsworth, MW/31, of Lancaster was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on two no bail felony drug related warrants, and misdemeanor warrants for Driving Under the Influence, Driving on a Suspended License, and Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer.  He also faces potential new felony charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Tear Gas by a Narcotics Addict and misdemeanor charges of Possession of Profile Information, Driving on a Suspended License, Possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia, Recklessly Evading a Peace Officer, Driving Under the Influence, and Possession of Burglary Tools.  He is being held without bail pending future court proceedings.  The passenger of the vehicle was not located.  No one was injured during the incident.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 04863

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. 

Suspect Arrested In Pizza Delivery Robbery

Tuesday - March 18, 2008 - 7:15 a.m. - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  A Canyon Country man was taken into custody Tuesday morning in connection with the armed robbery of a pizza delivery person that occurred on Saturday, January 19, 2008, in the 17000 block of Danielson Street, Unincorporated Los Angeles County - Canyon Country. 

During the January incident, the suspect reportedly approached the "Papa John's Pizza" delivery person, obtained four pizzas, and then pulled a handgun and threatened the victim when he asked the suspect to pay for the pizzas.  The suspect fled the area and was not located at the time of the incident.  After thorough follow-up investigation, detectives from the City of Santa Clarita - Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's COBRA Team were able to identify the suspect as Michael Zachery, MB/18, of Canyon Country.  Detectives took Zachery into custody without incident at his Canyon Country residence in the 19000 block of Delight Street. 

Zachery was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony Robbery charges.  He is currently being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Inmate Reception Center - Los Angeles, pending future court proceedings.  The victim was not injured during the incident.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 01160

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. 

Shooting Investigation - Canyon Country

Saturday - March 15, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. - Canyon Country:

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's COBRA Team are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday evening in the 18000 block of Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country.   

Deputies responded to the location to reports that a juvenile subject, MH/17, had been shot.  Arriving deputies found the victim at the location and initiated an immediate containment of the area.  Los Angeles County Fire Department Paramedics responded to the location and transported the victim, who sustained at least one gunshot wound to the upper torso, to a local hospital where he is undergoing treatment. 

Deputies searched the area for two suspects, described only as Hispanic males, 15-20 years old, bald or shaved heads, 6'00 tall, 200 pounds.  The suspects were not located and may have fled the area in a compact car.   

The shooting appears to be gang related.  Anyone with any information regarding this incident should immediately contact Detective Mike McPheeters of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's COBRA Team at (661) 799-5176. There is no further information available at this time.  -ref 04689

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. 

Victim Finds His Own Stolen Car

Saturday - March 15, 2008 - 6:44 p.m. - Saugus:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  A suspected car thief is behind bars after an alert Santa Clarita Valley resident spotted his own stolen car being driven on San Fernando Road near Magic Mountain Parkway.  The victim had just left the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station after reporting the theft of his 1996 Acura Integra, when he spotted the car being driven by a male northbound on San Fernando Road. 

The victim called the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station as he followed his stolen car into the Best Buy parking lot at 26531 Bouquet Canyon Road.  The suspect got out of the car and was smoking a cigarette nearby, when he apparently heard the sirens of the responding deputies and began to run through the parking lot towards Newhall Ranch Road.  After hiding in the bushes for a moment near the Boston Market Restaurant, the suspect then began to run eastbound on Newhall Ranch Road, reportedly discarding some items of clothing in an attempt to avoid identification.  Several other witnesses got involved and relayed information to responding deputies who took the suspect into custody without incident. 

Deputies reportedly recovered several other items inside the stolen car, including cell phones, car stereos and personal identification information belonging to other individuals.  They believe the items may have been taken during other vehicle burglaries and incidents of theft throughout the afternoon. 

The suspect, Jonathan Blankenship, MW/26, of Newhall was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony charges of Grand Theft Auto and Reasonable Cause Burglary.  He is being held in lieu of $35,000 bail pending future court proceedings.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 04680

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.