SCV Sheriff - News Room

SCV Sheriff - 'National Night Out' Against Crime

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station in conjunction with the City of Santa Clarita and Concerts in the Park will host a National Night Out Against Crime at Central Park, located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita on Saturday, August 7th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

Sponsored for the past 26 years by the National Association of Town Watch, "National Night Out" is a nationwide event in which over 10,000 communities participate to promote community safety.  National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local crime prevention efforts and programs, and send a message that our neighborhoods and residents are organized and vigilant.  The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station looks at the event as a wonderful opportunity to get together, enjoy a festive evening of music, and talk with the residents about crime prevention and reduction efforts.  We hope you will bring your families out and join us.  

This year's event will feature the Sheriff's Posse; Station's Command Post Trailer; Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Search and Rescue Team; the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol, crime prevention brochures, and child fingerprinting services.  

Residents, business leaders, community representatives, and media professionals are invited and encouraged to attend the event.

For additional information regarding the event, contact Sergeant Gregg Lewison at (661) 799-5158. 

You can learn more about Neighborhood Watch and crime prevention efforts at www.scvsheriff.com.

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

Fatal Traffic Collision - Canyon Country

Sunday - July 18, 2010 - 10:24 a.m. - Canyon Country:

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Traffic Office is investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred on westbound Soledad Canyon Road near Gailxy Avenue, Canyon Country.

A deputy working in the area came upon a vehicle that had apparently struck the curb and overturned. After a quick assessment of the collision scene, the deputy determined that the driver had struck a pedestrian who had been on the sidewalk. The pedestrian, male age 15 of Canyon Country, was fatally injured as a result of the collision. The driver of the vehicle, male 47 of Canyon Country, was treated for minor injuries.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision and no arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information available at this time. - ref 11810

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information is asked to call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station - Detective Jeff Maag at (661) 255-1121 to provide a statement.

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

Deputy Involved Shooting

Date: Friday - July 09, 2010
Time of Occurrence / Discovery: 2:50 a.m. 
Location: 20400 Block of Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita  

Sheriff's Homicide detectives are in the 20400 block of Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, to investigate the circumstances surrounding a Deputy-Involved Shooting.

No deputies were injured during the incident.

The suspect was shot once in the abdomen at the scene.

Whenever a deputy-involved shooting occurs involving Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies, multiple investigations immediately begin at the scene. These include separate investigations by the Sheriff's Internal Affairs Bureau as well as Sheriff's station or detective division investigators. Attorneys with the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review also respond to the scene, and have full access to the facts known to the Sheriff's Department throughout every phase of these thorough investigations. Once concluded, every aspect of the shooting is reviewed by the Sheriff's Executive Force Review Committee.

More information: Press Release - Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - www.lasd.org

The investigation is ongoing and is being handled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Homicide Bureau. Anyone with any information should contact them at (323) 890-5500 or Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau at (323) 526-5541.  There is no further information available at this time. -ref SHB-171-July 09, 2010

If You See Something, Say Something! Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

Traffic Advisory - Road Closure

Traffic Collision Investigation - Valencia Boulevard between Citrus Street and McBean Parkway from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Friday morning, July 9th, 2010. Motorists should plan alternate routes -

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Traffic Office will be conducting a collision investigation on Valencia Boulevard between Citrus Street and McBean Parkway this Friday morning, July 9th, 2010. The nature of the investigation will require complete closure of the roadway in both directions from approximately 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. 

With the complete road closure and potential detour patterns, traffic may be heavier than normal at times and motorists may experience delays or disruption in their normal routes of travel.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station asks that motorists use alternate routes and avoid the area during the indicated hours. The effected section of Valencia Boulevard is between the two main thoroughfares of Magic Mountain Parkway and McBean Parkway.    

Questions can be directed to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station's Traffic Office at (661) 799-5109. 

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

Assault with a Deadly Weapon: Public Assistance Sought

Public Assistance Sought -- Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station's COBRA Team are seeking assistance in locating the man pictured here and in the attached Special Bulletin.Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are seeking public assistance in locating Arturo Jimenez (pictured here). Jimenez is being sought for questioning only in connection with an incident of assault with a deadly weapon.  

On Sunday, July 4th, 2010, two suspects went to the home of a rival gang member in the 29000 block of Val Verde Road, Val Verde. The suspects reportedly pointed a gun at the victims and threatened them. One of the suspects, Ricardo Cardenas, has been arrested in connection with the case, but detectives would like to speak with Arturo Jimenez.

Anyone with information regarding this crime or the whereabouts of Arturo Elias Jimenez are asked to immediately dial 9-1-1 or contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121.  Press inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Harris of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 799-5814. Specific information regarding the case can be directed to Detective O'Neill of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station's COBRA team at (661) 799-5154. Please do not contact the detective directly unless you have information pertaining to the crime. 

To view or print the entire law enforcement Special Bulletin pertaining to this case visit our "SCV Sheriff Special Bulletins" section of SCVSheriff.com or click here: Information Bulletin.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information available at this time.  -ref 11050

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about this or another crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

**Law enforcement note:  The information in this bulletin and press release is subject to verification. Contact the investigating detective to determine appropriate action to be taken.

Fatal Traffic Collision - Valencia

Sunday - July 04, 2010 - 9:40 p.m. - Valencia:

Near the end of the July 4th Fireworks Show at the Valencia Town Center, a traffic collision occurred between two vehicles at Valencia Boulevard and Mall Entrance Drive. The impact of the collision caused one of the vehicles to spin out of control, jumping the curb and hitting nearby pedestrians. One person, Matilde Garnica, female age 43, was killed in the collision, approximately seven other pedestrians were injured. If you witnessed this incident, you are urged to call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station - Detective Jeff Maag at (661) 255-1121 to provide your statement.

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

Burglary Call Leads to Rare Find

Thursday - July 01, 2010 - 4:45 a.m. - Unincorporated Los Angeles County -Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley!  An Alert Canyon Country Resident Helped Deputies Catch a Suspected Burglar Early this Morning. Detectives Seek to Find Rightful Owner of Rare Silver Coins Dating Back to the 1700s. 

A call from an alert Canyon Country resident immediately brought deputies to the 18200 block of Sandy Drive, Canyon Country, early this morning. The resident called to report they were watching as at least two suspects broke into a nearby parked car.

The suspects ran from the area prior to the arrival of the deputies and several patrol cars established a containment. Additional information was relayed to deputies who began to search for the suspects. One of the deputies spotted a suspect matching the description running north on Sierra Highway. The man was detained and deputies reportedly found evidence that may connect him to at least two vehicle burglaries in the area.

The deputies also found several rare silver coins in the suspect's possession that they believe may have been stolen in another vehicle or residential burglary in Santa Clarita. The coins, similar to the one pictured here, date back to the 1700s and may have substantial value ranging from two thousand to fifty thousand dollars.  Detectives are looking for the rightful owner of the coins in hopes of returning them and solving another crime. 

Anyone with specific information about a recent theft of these types of coins who can positively identify them and provide supporting documentation to the Sheriff's Department is asked to contact Detective Mike Marino of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station's Burglary and Fraud team at (661) 799-5137.

The suspect, Christopher Marejon, MH/22, of Canyon Country was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony charges of burglary, vandalism, and reasonable cause receiving stolen property. He also faces potential misdemeanor charges of possession of burglary tools. He was on active felony parole for receiving stolen property and is being held without bail pending future court proceedings.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information available at this time. 

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about this or another crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

Man Sentenced to 38 Years in Connection with 2009 Canyon Country Shooting

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley!  Another Crime Solved!  Shooting Suspect Michael Ray Garcia was Recently Sentenced to 38 Years in State Prison in Connection with a 2009 Canyon Country Shooting.

Detectives from the City of Santa Clarita/Sheriff's COBRA Unit have been actively investigating a shooting incident which occurred on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 near Whites Canyon Road and Pleasantdale Street, Canyon Country.  Refer to the original press release at the following link: Shooting Investigation - Canyon Country, a second release posted on April 9th, 2009 at this link: Shooting Suspect Identified, and a third release posted on May 26th, 2009 at this link: Another Crime Solved by SCV Sheriffs!.

On Wednesday, April 8th, 2009, Michael Ray Garcia was identified as the primary suspect in the shooting when the COBRA Unit joined forces with the Community Interaction Team (CIT) and served a search warrant in the 23000 block of Via Gayo, Valencia, at 9:30 a.m.  Although detectives missed the suspected shooter on that day, they recovered a 9mm handgun and the vehicle, 1994 Infinity - white in color, they believe were used in the commission of the crime.  They also recovered eight rifles and a second handgun at the location.  

Garcia, a suspected gang member on active felony parole for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, had been on the run since the day of the shooting and was taken into custody without incident just after 2:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, May 21, 2009 at the residence of a relative in Mesa Arizona.    

Detectives from the COBRA Team had been working closely with other outside entities and resources of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, including the Department's Major Crimes Bureau in their direct role with the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, to track Garcia down.  That hard work paid off when representatives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department joined United States Marshals and the Mesa Police Department to apprehend Garcia.   

Garcia was booked at the Maricopa County Jail on a felony Parole Violation where he was held without bail and later extradited back to Los Angeles to face felony charges of attempted murder in connection with the case.  

On May 25, 2010 Garcia was sentenced in San Fernando Superior Court to 38 years in state prison for his involvement in the shooting.  Garcia becomes yet another example that crime doesn't pay in Santa Clarita. -ref 05923 

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

SCV Sheriffs Conduct Second Hand Dealer Compliance Operation

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley! - Two Teams of Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station's Detective Bureau Conducted a Second Hand Dealer Compliance Operation Today in Santa Clarita -

More than a dozen deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station conducted a second hand dealer compliance assurance operation throughout Santa Clarita today. Teams of undercover deputies visited several businesses who deal in the purchasing and reselling of second hand items such as gold, jewelry, and video games.

Second hand dealers are required by law to request identification and complete the appropriate paperwork to document each purchase. Copies of those documents are then to be forwarded to local law enforcement to ensure the goods being purchased and resold were not obtained illegally or taken in residential burglaries or thefts in the Santa Clarita Valley or surrounding areas.

Deputies will issue a warning to the businesses and inform them of the reporting requirements prior to issuing citations. In today's operation 21 businesses were checked. Two businesses were found to be in violation of the reporting requirements after they failed to ask the undercover deputies for the identification or fill out required paperwork. The two businesses had already been issued warnings in  previous compliance operations conducted by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. They were each issued citations and have future court dates pending. Many of the other 19 businesses were also found to be out of compliance. They were issued warnings and information about required documentation and compliance procedures.

Detectives conduct these types of operations several times a year in a proactive effort to prevent the easy fencing of stolen property in our community. Their goal is to ensure goods being bought or resold at these businesses were not taken from any of our residents during incidents of burglary or theft. Detectives also use the documentation provided by the second hand dealers to determine if the property is stolen, go after the offender, and return the property to its rightful owner. These businesses are our first line of defense when it comes to preventing the illegal sale of stolen items in our community. By stopping this activity we can also have a direct impact on those who sell stolen items and use the money obtained to purchase illegal drugs. 

Education is the key and officials from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station would like to remind the public that if they sell any goods to a second hand dealer in Santa Clarita, that business should be requesting identification, completing a second hand dealer pawn ticket, and providing a copy of the paperwork to the seller. The seller should be wary of any transaction with a second hand dealer that does not require the appropriate information and documentation.  

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

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

Man Arrested for Felony Crimes Against a Child

Friday - June 18, 2010 - 3:25 p.m. - Canyon Country:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley - Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station are continuing their investigation into an incident of lewd acts with a child and false imprisonment that occurred in the 27200 block of Hidaway Avenue, Canyon Country.

The suspect in the case, Fancisco Ceron, MH/35, is behind bars and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office - Los Angeles Superior Court - San Fernando has filed one felony count of lewd acts with a child and one felony count of false imprisonment against him. However, sheriff's officials believe there may be additional potential victims who have not yet come forward that may have had contact with the suspect.   

The alleged incident occurred on Friday June 18, 2010, when a 10-year-old boy went to the house of the suspect in order to retrieve his ball which had went into the suspect's backyard. Deputies report that the suspect apparently made comments to the young boy luring him into his bedroom. Once in the room the suspect reportedly threw the boy on the bed and held him down as he attempted to get up. The boy managed to get up and run for the door but deputies report that the suspect blocked the door. The boy did the right thing and began screaming for help. At that point the suspect let him to leave and he ran from the house.

The boy told his parents about the incident and deputies immediately responded and took the suspect into custody. A search of the suspect's home resulted in the recovery of other potential evidence.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station is releasing this photograph of the suspect to encourage any other potential victims or witnesses to come forward.  Anyone who has had contact with this suspect or has knowledge of any crimes committed by him are asked to contact Detective Lambrecht at (661) 799-5810.

The suspect is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail pending his next court appearance scheduled for June 29, 2010, in San Fernando Superior Court.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 10138

If You See Something, Say Something!  Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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