SCV Sheriff - News Room

Two Arrested After Purse Snatch

Saturday - June 28, 2008 - 2:10 p.m. - Valencia:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley!  Proactive residents and deputies team up to put a stop to brazen crime - A Saugus resident has her purse and personal belonging back in her possession thanks to a Castaic resident, a Saugus resident, and deputies, following a brazen incident of grand theft at the food court inside the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

The woman was reportedly eating in the crowded food court and had her purse on her lap when two teenagers, MB/16 of Valencia and MB/17 of Palmdale, grabbed her purse and ran out of the mall.  Two witnesses nearby heard the woman call out that her purse was stolen and they chased the subjects.

Deputies quickly responded as the witnesses provided the last seen direction of the subjects.  Deputies spotted and detained the two teenagers on Magic Mountain Parkway, near Citrus Drive.  After further investigation the deputies recovered the victim's purse and all her belongings near a bus stop on Magic Mountain Parkway.

Both subjects were booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony charges of Grand Theft.  They were later released to their parents and were issued a citation pending future court proceedings.  The investigation is ongoing and their is no further information available at this time. -ref 11405

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.

Fight Escalates to Stabbing - Stevenson Ranch

Thursday - June 19, 2008 - 12:45 p.m. - Unincorporated Los Angeles County - Stevenson Ranch:

A Newhall youth, MH/17, was stabbed several times following a fight with a Canyon Country man in the parking lot of the Alerbertsons shopping center at 26802 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, Thursday.  The victim apparently confronted the suspect regarding some comments he made to his girlfriend.  The victim began fighing with the suspect and deputies report that at some point during the fist fight the suspect, Elijah Brown, MB/18, brandished a knife and allegedly stabbed the victim several times. 

The suspect then fled the area and the victim and his girlfriend managed to flag down California Highway Patrol Officers in the area.  Deputies and the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and the victim was treated at the scene and transported to a local area hospital for additional treatment and evaluation.  Although his current condition is not known, the wounds are not believed to be life threatening. 

Deputies condcuted a follow-up investigation which led them to a residence in the 27000 block of Galeton Road, Canyon Country, where the suspect was arrested without incident. 

Suspect Brown was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Station on a felony charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  He is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail pending future court proceedings.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information available at this time.  -ref 10803

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.   

Catalytic Converter Thieves Exhaust SCV Residents

B/T - Tuesday - June 10, 2008 and Monday - June 16, 2008 - Newhall; Unincorporated Los Angeles County - Stevenson Ranch:

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Burglary and Theft Team are investigating seven incidents of grand theft involving the apparent late night stealing of catalytic converters from vehicles in the Newhall and Stevenson Ranch areas. 

The thefts occurred in the the 23700 block of Via Canon, the 24400 block of Leonard Tree Lane, the 23600 block of Meadow Ridge Drive, near La Glorita and Wiley Canyon Road, and the 25300 block of The Old Road dating back to Tuesday, June 10th, 2008. 

All seven cases involved Toyota vehicles.  Six cases involved Toyota Tacoma trucks and one involved a Toyota 4-Runner.  Detectives are asking all Santa Clarita Valley residents, especially those who drive the indicated vehicles, to keep a close eye on their neighborhoods and vehicles.  Residents should look for people working on vehicles, loitering around them with no apparent purposes, possessing tools or saws, or crawling underneath the vehicles.  Another indicator may be a second person sitting in another vehicle with no apparent purpose acting as a look out.  Immediately report any suspicious activity or persons to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.  It seems these thieves are targeting these trucks because they are higher off the ground and easier to access.   

Residents can take other precautions, such as parking vehicles in a garage or a well-lighted areas, listening and reacting to sounds coming from the street in the middle of the night and dogs barking excessively for no apparent reason, and immediately calling the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station with specific information. 

Detectives would like to talk to anyone who may have information pertaining to these thefts.   

Anyone with information regarding these crimes or similar suspicious activity should contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Detective Chris Henning at (661) 799-5156 or use the anonymous "We Tip" line or on-line crime tip reporting mechanism listed below.  There is no further information available at this time.  -ref 10434 / 10470 / 10504 / 10562 / 10609 / 10549 / 10603

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.   

More Arrests in Booster Theft Ring

Tuesday - June 17, 2008 - 7:30 a.m. - Van Nuys:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley! - Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station served additional search warrants, made more arrests, and recovered more stolen product Tuesday in connection with a large booster theft ring operating in the Santa Clarita Valley and throughout California.  Refer to our initial press release posted on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at the following link: Suspects Arrested in Large Theft Ring.

The search warrants and arrests were all part of an on-going investigation stemming from a theft of retail product from the Canyon Country Albertsons Store at 18571 Soledad Canyon Road on April 3rd, 2008 (-ref 05954).  During that incident more than $5,000 worth of diabetic test kits were stolen.  That case was eventually linked to other cases and a much larger investigation involving the San Jose Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I.), and the Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.), into the theft of over the counter medications, and other retail items throughout the State of California dating back several months. 

On Tuesday, Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Burglary and Theft Team recovered more than 100 pieces of retail product during the service of the warrants.  Arrested were Eddie Cardona, MH/30, and Hugo Torchez, MH/27, both residents of Van Nuys.  Both suspects were booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.  Cardona faces a potential felony Burglary charge.  He also had a felony warrant out of Torrance California for Petty Theft with a Prior and a felony warrant for Burglary out of Fremont California.  He is being held in lieu of $44,500 bail pending future court proceedings.  Torchez faces potential felony charges of Receiving Stolen Property and Burglary.  He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail pending future court proceedings.

The investigations are ongoing and there is no further information available at this time.  -ref 08910

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.   

Patrol Deputies Nab Burglary and Assault Suspect

Saturday - June 14, 2008 - 1:30 a.m. - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  Deputies arrested a Canyon Country man on burglary and assault charges early Saturday morning.  The deputies had responded to a call in the 28000 block of Sand Canyon Road to reports that a man had assaulted his roommate.  When the deputies arrived the suspect was gone. 

As deputies where checking the area, one of them heard an audible burglary alarm coming from the Canyon Liquor Store at 16507 Soledad Canyon Road.  While checking the liquor store, the deputy saw that the front glass door had been shattered.  A short distance away the deputy detained Edward Gilhooley, MW/19, of Canyon Country and found he was reportedly in possession of liquor and cigarette items taken from the store.  Suspect Gilhooley was also the suspect who was being sought for the assault on his roommate.   

After the suspect was arrested and put into the back seat of the patrol car and deputies were conducting a follow up investigation, the suspect kicked out the rear window of the patrol car and crawled out of the car before deputies immediately detained him again. 

The suspect was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony charges of Burglary, Vandalism, and Attempted Escape.  He also faces a potential misdemeanor Battery charge for the incident with his roommate.  He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and is due in court today.  The roommate sustained minor injuries during the initial incident.   

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 10492

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.   

Detectives Investigate Bottle Bomb Explosions

Saturday - June 14, 2008 - b/t: 12:30 a.m. and 1:20 a.m. - Valencia:

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Arson Explosives Detail are investigating two separate incidents of bottle bomb explosions that occurred Saturday.  Deputies responded to the first incident, which occurred in the 26000 block of Coronado Court, Valencia, early Saturday morning.  At the scene deputies discovered indications that two plastic bottle bombs had been detonated in the street. 

A second call was received Saturday morning which directed deputies to a second location two miles away from the first incident on Avenida Cappela.  At that location deputies found indications that two more bottle bomb devices had been detonated in the front yard of a residence.       

It has not been determined if the incidents are related.  The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Arson Explosives Detail responded to both incidents and they are handling the investigations. 

Although some believe these plastic bottle bombs are a harmless prank, under California Law these crimes are classified as "Deploying a Destructive Device."  The explosions are dangerous and can cause injury and property damage.  In fact, every year in Los Angeles County deputies respond to dozens of incidents where teenagers have been seriously injured and even lost fingers while handling these dangerous devices.  It is a felony to possess or deploys such a device and persons caught and convicted can face up to four years in state prison. 

Anyone with information regarding these crimes or similar suspicious activity should contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121 or use the anonymous "We Tip" line listed below.  There is no further information available at this time.  -ref 10491 / 10496

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.   

Suspects Arrested in Large Theft Ring

Wednesday - June 04, 2008 - 11:00 a.m. - Santa Clarita:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley! - Acting on information obtained through a joint investigation involving the San Jose Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I.), and the Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.), detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Burglary and Theft Team made several arrests pertaining to a theft ring Wednesday. 

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's connection involved several incidents of theft from local pharmacies and grocery outlets, including Von's Albertson's Rite-Aid and others.  The thefts involved thousands of over the counter medications, hair care products, baby formula, and mens hygiene items.  Some of the items were even stolen in bulk from the retailers.   

Through the investigations, which have been ongoing for several months, various investigative entities and detectives working in cooperation, determined large booster groups of Honduran Nationals had joined together in an organized retail theft ring. 

Those involved are suspected of several incidents of burglary and theft in the Santa Clarita Valley and were moving the product into Glendale, Sun Valley, and up and down the California coast and even out of state.  These suspects would allegedly then repackage the items and sell the product to an organized criminal syndicate of Vietnamese Nationals.  This group would re-sell the products at swap meets and other retail outlets.  Detectives report that some of the products recovered in Glendale were apparently stolen out of state.   

The first arrests by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station occurred on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in the City of Glendale where SCV Detectives followed information to a public storage facility.  Follow up investigation that same day led to the detention and arrest of three suspects and the recovery of more than $100,000 in United States Currency in the purse of one of the female suspects.  Through additional follow-up SCV Detectives served three search warrants on storage containers in the area, where they recovered a substantial quantity of over the counter medications and other evidence of the operation.   

Booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station that day on felony charges of Receiving Stolen Property, were Carmen Garcia, FH/32, of Los Angeles, Juan Morales, MH/45, of Los Angeles, and Freddie Navarro, MH/28, of Los Angeles.  All three suspects are still in custody.  Suspect Garcia and Navarro are each being held in lieu of $300,000 bail.  Suspect Morales is being held in lieu of $350,000 bail and has a hold from another police agency.  These suspects also face potential Federal charges.    

As part of the continuing investigation, on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, SCV Detectives searched three locations in the Sun Valley area where they arrested three additional suspects, recovered 2,300 individual pieces of retail products, and recovered more than $10,000 in United States Currency.

The three suspects were arrested and booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Station.  Johanna Rodriguez, FH/28, of Sun Valley faces potential felony charges of Receiving Stolen Property.  She also had a Federal warrant related to the case and is being held without bail.  Mario Castaneda, MH/43, of Sun Valley faces potential felony charges of Receiving Stolen Property.  He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.  Evelin Cano, FH/28, of Sun Valley faces potential misdemeanor charges of Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer.  She is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.  Other agencies involved in the operation have made at least ten additional arrests.

The investigations are ongoing and additional arrests by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station are likely.  There is no further information available at this time.  -ref 08910

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.   

Shooting Investigation - Newhall

Wednesday - May 28, 2008 - 9:10 p.m. - Newhall:

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's COBRA Team are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Wednesday night in the 24000 block of Race Street, Newhall.   

Deputies responded to the location to reports of a shooting and found a Newhall resident, MH/28, had been shot.  Arriving deputies initiated an immediate containment of the area and began an investigation.  Deputies from the City of Santa Clarita - Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's COBRA Team and Community Interaction Team (CIT), along with deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) North County Crime Impact, immediately converged on the area.   

The investigation continued well into the night.  While searching a nearby residence, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) North County Crime Impact Team made an unrelated arrest of a Newhall resident, MH/21, for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a dangerous weapon (dagger). 

The investigation into the shooting, which appears to be gang related, is ongoing and no arrests have been made.  The victim sustained at least two gunshot wounds to the hand and leg that do not appear to be life threatening.  He was transported to a local area hospital for treatment.   

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 09417 / 09418

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.   

Youth Injured by Accidental Gunshot

Sunday - May 25, 2008 - b/t 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - Canyon Country:

A Canyon Country youth, MW/13, was injured Sunday after a gun being handled by his cousin, MW/12, apparently accidentally discharged striking the victim in the head.  Deputies responded to a local area hospital to reports of a youth with an apparent gunshot.  Through additional investigation and follow-up, the deputies determined the two boys were apparently playing with the loaded gun on Sunday morning at a residence in the 15000 block of Violetlane Way, Canyon Country, when the gun accidentally went off and struck the victim.  The bullet apparently entered near the boy's temple and exited near his eye.  The injury was not life threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery.      

Deputies recovered the firearm and the bullet at the location and investigators are considering felony charges against the gun's owner and resident for Criminal Storage of a Firearm.  Under California Law, if a person keeps any loaded firearm within any premise which is under their custody or control and they know or reasonably should know that a child (person under 18 years of age) is likely to gain access to the firearm, they may be guilty of a felony if a child gains access to that firearm and thereby causes death or injury to any person unless the firearm was in a secure locked container or locked with a locking device that rendered it inoperable.  Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station are encouraging all gun owners to review their current gun safety and storage protocols in order to ensure the safety of all residents in the Santa Clarita Valley. 

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 09215

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.   

Deputies Catch Armed Carjacking Suspect

Friday - May 23, 2008 - 5:35 p.m. - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  Deputies arrested a San Bernardino man Friday after he allegedly attempted to carjack a Canyon Country resident at gunpoint.  The victim called the station and reported that a man had approached her as she sat inside her car in the drive-thru lane of a fast food restaurant in the 19000 block of Soledad Canyon Road. 

As the man approached her car, he allegedly removed a handgun from his pants pocket and attempted to open the rear door.  When he found it was locked he moved to the driver's door window and tapped the gun on the glass while instructing the victim to open the door.  The victim refused and another car pulled into the restaurant, apparently causing the suspect to walk away. 

The victim immediately called 9-1-1 and deputies quickly responded and began thoroughly checking the area.  The deputies located a man matching the description of the suspect in the 19300 block of Soledad Canyon Road.  The man was detained and then arrested after he was reportedly connected to the crime.  Deputies later recovered a loaded handgun from a planter in the area where the suspect was apprehended.  A second fully loaded ammunition magazine was located in the bathroom of another nearby fast food restaurant. 

The suspect, David Graves, MB/20, was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony charges of Attempt Carjacking and Attempt Kidnapping.  He was later transported to Men's Central Jail, Los Angeles, where he is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending future court proceedings.  No one was injured during the incident. 

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 09108

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.