ElkGroveCrime.com

Elk Grove Man Gets Upset at Fast Food Joint, Rips Signs

2012-02-10T15:50:00.000-08:00

Maybe it was slow drive-thru service or a wrong order. Whatever the case, an Elk Grove man was arrested yesterday morning at an Elk Grove fast food restaurant following a disturbance.

According to Elk Grove Police, 4-year-old Andreas Williams was at the Carl's Jr. restaurant on Elk Grove-Florin and Calvin Road when he entered the restaurant and began creating a disturbance. When Williams was asked to leave the restaurant by an employee, he exited the restaurant and tore down several menu signs located by the drive-thru.

Responding officers located and detained the suspect1 a short distance away. An employee positively identified Williams as the person who had vandalized the signs.

Williams was arrested then transported to the county jail.

Elk Grove Teen Arrested For Home Burglary

2012-02-09T12:06:00.001-08:00

Police recover stolen laptop computer

When kids skip school, nothing good usually comes of it. That was the case for an Elk Grove teenager early yesterday afternoon

According to Elk Grove Police reports, a 15-year-old male was contacted at 12:31 p.m. as he was walking on Elk Grove Florin Road near Heritage Hill Way. A records check revealed that the juvenile had an active warrant out for his arrest.

After the suspect was taken into custody, a search of his backpack led to the discovery of a laptop computer and additional property, including the backpack, which did not belong to him. Officers determined that backpack and the contents had been taken during a residential burglary in the 8700 block of Gladiola Way.

The juvenile suspect was taken into custody and taken to the county jail. The stolen property was recovered and returned to the rightful owner.

Man Convicted of Molesting Foster Children in His Care

2012-02-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

District Attorney Jan Scully announced that Fidel Domingo was convicted by jury of seven counts of child molestation with a child 10 years old or younger and aggravated sexual assault on a child under 14 years of age.

Domingo and his wife were the foster parents of the victim and her younger sister. He began molesting the victim at the age of 7 and continued until she was nearly 12 years old when her friends convinced her to tell someone about the assaults.

Domingo faces a maximum sentence of 92 years to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 9, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 31 in front of the Honorable Michael Kenny.

Elk Grove Police Make Naroctics Arrest After Traffic Stop

2012-02-07T12:07:00.000-08:00

A routine traffic stop early Monday morning led to a narcotics arrest.

According to police reports, 28-year-old Allen Chao of Elk Grove was stopped for a vehicle code violation near Highway 99 and Elk Grove Blvd. A records check revealed that Chao was driving on a suspended license.

An inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing led to the discovery of narcotics. Chao was arrested and a subsequent search reportedly led to the discovery of additional narcotics.

Chao was transferred to the county jail and his vehicle was towed.

Charges Lowered for Mother Accused of Microwaving Baby Daughter

2012-02-03T13:03:00.001-08:00


Ka Vang and Attorney Linda Parisi at a hearing last year.

During a brief hearing this morning at the Sacramento Superior Court, the Sacramento District Attorney's office said they will no longer seek the death penalty for accused murderer Ka Yang.

Today's preliminary hearing of Yang, who is accused of killing her six-week old daughter Mirabelle Thao Lao last March by microwaving her, the district attorney announced that they would instead seek life without parole for the suspect. When Yang was arrested last June, the DA's office had sought the death penalty for the Sacramento mother.

Outside the court Yang's attorney Linda Parisi said she was not surprised the charges were reduced as she had been in talks with the DA's office.

Because of the horrific nature of the allegations against Yang, who is ethnically Hmong, the case has drawn wide attention. During today's brief hearing several members of the Hmong community as well as Yang's parents were in attendance in support for the mother of five.

Through Parisi Yang's family and others declined comment. "These circumstance are so unique and difficult," Parisi said.

Aside from the announcement of the reduced charges, the preliminary hearing was continued until February 21 based on Yang's health status. At the time of her arrest last June, Yang was pregnant and subsequently gave birth in late November and she also suffers from epilepsy.

"Ms. Yang's health is not good," Parisi said. "We hope her health will be better."

Ex Sacramento Library Official, Wife Sentenced in Theft Case

2012-01-31T09:49:00.001-08:00

District Attorney Jan Scully announced that the Honorable Allen H. Sumner sentenced the former Sacramento library facilities superintendent Dennis Nilsson to 14 years, eight-months in prison, the library authority's one-time security chief James Mayle to five years, four months in prison and his wife Janie Rankins-Mayle to six years in prison.

Last month, a jury convicted James Mayle and Janie Rankins-Mayle of grand theft and bribery for their part in over billing the Sacramento Public Library Authority for maintenance services. The jury also convicted James Mayle of criminal conflict of interest. A separate jury convicted Dennis Nilsson of 16 counts of grand theft, bribery, and conflict of interest.

Mayle and Rankins-Mayle formed two companies, All City Maintenance and Hagginwood Services, Inc. With the assistance of co-defendant Nilsson, independent contractors who did maintenance services for the library were directed to submit their bills to Rankins-Mayle under the All City and Hagginwood businesses. Rankins-Mayle then substantially inflated those billings and submitted them to the library for payment using her own letterhead. Nilsson approved the invoices for payment. From 2004 to 2007, All City Maintenance and Hagginwood Services, Inc. were paid approximately $1.3 million, of which $780,000 had been inflated over what the contractors who actually performed the work originally billed. Mayle and Rankins-Mayle paid Nilsson over $100,000 in bribes for approving the invoices.

A victim impact statement from Sacramento Public Library Authority Board Member Jeff Slowey stated that the stolen monies could have paid for 40,000 children’s picture books and could have gone toward keeping the new Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven branch location open for two years, which they are currently using library savings to keep open.

A restitution hearing is set for March 2, 2012.

Underage Drinker Arrested Following Elk Grove Bar Fight

2012-01-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

An Elk Grove man was arrested following a bar fight late Sunday night.

According to Elk Grove Police, officers were dispatched the the Elk Grove Sports Bar on Elk Grove-Florin Road in response to a physical disturbance. Officers contacted 19-year-old Corey Lahn of Elk Grove outside the bar who displayed objective signs of impairment.

An employee identified Lahn as the person who hurled a beer can at the front door of the bar causing a window to break. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Police Catch Suspected Prowler

2012-01-30T13:14:00.001-08:00

Elk Grove Police arrested a man early Sunday morning on suspicion of prowling.

According to police reports, officers were dispatched the 9000 block of Wildwillow Court regarding a prowler who was seen looking in windows. When officers arrived, they observed 36-year-old Eduardo Olivares of Elk Grove in the backyard of the residence.

The suspect reportedly ran away when he saw the officers and began climbing over fences. Officers were able catch up to Olivares who was then arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Two Indicted on Mortgage Fraud Charges for West Sacramento Property

2012-01-30T12:21:00.001-08:00

United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging two defendants with mail fraud and money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in losses of at least $180,000 to lenders.

Charged are Andrey Kim, 28, of Sacramento; and Sultanmurod Rashidov, 29, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Kim was indicted for another mortgage fraud scam last month. He is scheduled to appear on the new charges on January 31, 2012, before Magistrate Judge Carolyn K. Delaney. Rashidov is believed to be out of the country.

According to court records, Kim and Rashidov were responsible for taking out more than $236,000 in home equity loans for a single property in West Sacramento. As part of the loan application process, Kim allegedly submitted false and fraudulent information related to his gross monthly income and outstanding mortgage balance. About a year after obtaining a $58,800 home equity loan, Kim signed a deed granting joint ownership of the property to Rashidov. The indictment alleges that Rashidov then submitted a home equity loan application containing false and fraudulent information related to his employer, gross monthly income, and outstanding mortgage balance. After obtaining $178,000 from the lender, Rashidov defaulted on the loan.

This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Dominique N. Thomas is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of mail fraud, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted of money laundering, they face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the actual sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Elk Grove Juvie Suspected of Daytime Burglary

2012-01-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

A 17-year-old Elk Grove male was arrested late yesterday morning on suspicion of a home burglary.

According to Elk Grove Police, officers responded to the 9200 block of Castleview Drive after witnesses observed the juvenile suspect leaving a house after an alarm had sounded. Responding officers detained the suspect on the railroad tracks near Laguna Blvd. and Neosho Drive.

Officers confirmed that the residence had been burglarized and witnesses positively identified the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody then transported to juvenile hall.

Elk Grove Man Stabbed in Front Yard

2012-01-25T14:53:00.001-08:00

An Elk Grove man was stabbed in his front yard late yesterday afternoon.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, the 26-year-old man was in his front yard on the 8800 block of Kelsey Drive with family members when they were approached by several individuals. Three suspects approached the man and a verbal argument ensured.

The argument escalated into physical fight and during the confrontation the victim was stabbed in the stomach and the three suspects fled on foot. The victim sustained non-life threatening wounds.

During the course of the investigation, officers developed information that 18-year old John Damian of Elk Grove and two juveniles Elk Grove male juveniles ages 15 and 16 were suspected of the stabbing.

Later in the evening officers located the three suspects. The two juveniles were taken into custody and transported to juvenile hall and Damian was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Teen Robbed at Gunpoint

2012-01-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

A 15-year-old male was robbed at gunpoint as he was walking on an Elk Grove street late yesterday afternoon.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, the teen was near Kelsey Drive and Lujan Drive when he was approached by an unknown suspect who pulled a black handgun from his pocket, pointed it and demanded money.

After going through the teems pockets in search of money, the suspect then demanded the victims watch. The suspect then fled on foot from the area.

The suspect was described as a white male, 30’s, 5’4”, heavy set, with red chin hair and blue eyes and was wearing a green baggy hooded sweatshirt and khaki pants with paint spots. Officers responded to the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

EGPD Officer Uses Taser After Traffic Stop

2012-01-12T15:51:00.000-08:00

A Sacramento man who was stopped for illegally using a cell phone while driving was tasered after officers believed he was going to use a concealed weapon.

According to Elk Grove Police, 51-year-old Johnny Foster was operating a motor vehicle and was observed talking on a cell phone.When officers attempted to stop Foster, he drove a half-mile (obeying the rules of the road) before stopping his vehicle in the parking lot of a gas station.

When Foster stopped his vehicle, he quickly exited via the driver’s side door and did not follow officer’s instructions to stay in the vehicle. When Foster exited the vehicle, the officers observed a bulge in his waistband and instructed him to put his hands in the air.

Foster reportedly did not follow instructions and took a step towards the officers and began reaching towards his waistband. Believing that Foster was attempting to arm himself with a concealed weapon, an officer deployed a taser.

Foster was taken into custody after the taser deployment. Upon contact, the suspect displayed objective signs of impairment. Foster was arrested then transported to the main jail.

EGPD Arrests Parolee, Suspect With Outstanding Warrant

2012-01-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

A routine traffic stop led to the arrest of two Sacramento men early Tuesday morning.

According to Elk Grove Police, 31-year-old Aaron Carter was operating a car near Calvine Road and Highway 99 that was stopped for a vehicle code violation. A records check revealed that Carter had an outstanding arrest warrant.

A passenger in the car, 35-year-old Benigno Duran was found to be on parole after giving a false name to officers. Duran was taken into custody for violating terms of his parole and Carter was arrested.

Elk Grove PD Captures Suspect Wanted by Sacramento PD

2012-01-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

The Elk Grove Police were able to capture a suspect wanted by the Sacramento Police last night.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, when officers were responding to a disturbance on the 9400 block of Laguna Lake Way, they received word that one of the suspects there was wanted by Sacramento Police. When officers arrived, 24-year-old Clayton Krebs fled the residence.

Krebs reportedly ran away from the officers despite being told to stop and damaged a fence while he fled. Officers were able to apprehend the suspect a short distance away.

Krebs was arrested then transported to the main jail.

Not So-Savy Shopper Arrested at Elk Grove Winco

2012-01-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

A Sacramento lady was arrested early yesterday morning after she tried tricking a cashier at the high-volume grocery store.

According to Elk Grove Police, 31-year old Lakiva DeVore attempted to purchase groceries with a fraudulent check. Upon arrival of officers, the suspect was detained and found to be in possession of California state identification card that did not belong to her.

To top things off, officers also discovered that DeVore was on probation. DeVore was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Second Elk Grove Pizzeria Robbed

2012-01-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

For the second time in less than two weeks, an Elk Grove pizzeria was robbed.

According to police reports, an unknown suspect entered the Lamppost Pizza on Laguna Blvd. just before 9:00 p.m. and confronted an employee with a handgun and demanded money. After the employee complied, the suspect fled the restaurant on foot.

Responding officers were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect as being a male of unknown race, 16-20 years of age, 5’7”, 150 lbs., wearing a red hooded jacket, black pants with a black bandana covering his face.

The other pizzeria robbery occurred on Christmas Eve.

Elk Grove Gas Station Robbery Suspect Sought

2012-01-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

Hou Lee

The Elk Grove Police Department is asking for the community’s help in capturing 32-year-old Hou Lee, who is responsible for an armed robbery in Elk Grove and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Through investigative efforts and follow-up, detectives determined that Lee was responsible for the December 1, 2011 armed robbery at the Shell gas station at 9100 Harbour Point Drive. According to witnesses, Lee selected a soda from the refrigerated area then approached a clerk to pay for the merchandise.

When the clerk opened the register, Lee brandished a handgun and demanded money. Lee was giving an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency and fled the business on foot.

Hou Lee (09/01/1979) is a Laotian male, 5'6", 150lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. Lee was armed with a silver/black semi-auto handgun during the robbery. Detectives have obtained a warrant in the amount of $750,000.00 for the arrest of Lee. In addition, Lee also has two other active felony warrants out for his arrest.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Hou Lee is asked to call the Elk Grove Police Department Detective Bureau at (916) 478-8060 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357).

Callers to Crime Alert can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Tips can also be sent via SMS text message by entering CRIMES (274637) on a cell phone, followed by Tip732 (agency identification number) and the message.

Elk Grove Man Tasered after Injuring Cop During Arrest

2012-01-03T12:34:00.000-08:00

Elk Grove Police used a taser on a suspect New Years Eve after officers tried to arrest him for an active felony warrant.
According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, officers attempted to arrest 32-year-old Joe Soto on the 9200 block of Franklin Blvd. Once Soto was contacted inside the residence, he reportedly became belligerent and refused to comply with instructions.

When the officers attempted to utilize a control hold, Soto reportedly physically resisted and fell to the floor along with the officers. During the struggle, Soto was able to get on top of an officer and intentionally jabbed his thumb into the officer’s eye and bit his finger.

Another officer deployed his taser in an effort to subdue Soto. The suspect continued to struggle with officers for several more minutes before being taken into custody.

The officer suffered moderate injuries and was treated at a local area hospital. Soto was medically cleared for incarceration then transported to the main jail.

Suspect Arrested in Theft of Memorial Plaques

2011-12-30T14:15:00.001-08:00


Casey Alger

Sacramento County Sheriff’s detectives arrested a man yesterday in connection with the theft of memorial wall plaques from Patriot Park in Carmichael. Casey Alger, 37 , was taken into custody at a residence in Sacramento and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on charges of theft and possession of stolen property.

On December 19,members of the Carmichael Parks and Recreation District discovered that five memorial wall plaques had been removed from the Wall of Honor at Patriot Park. The brass plaques are in memory of former Carmichael residents who sacrificed their lives while working in law enforcement, medical professions or the United States military.

Detectives received information from a local recycling business regarding Alger, who had come in with brass to recycle. Further investigation led to the discovery that the metal brought in by Alger was, in fact, one of the stolen wall plaques. The other four individual plaques remain unaccounted for. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (916) 874-5115.

Elk Grove Man Threatens to Kill Victim, Family

2011-12-30T14:09:00.001-08:00

An Elk Grove man was arrested last night after he made death threats against his wife and family members.

According to police department reports, 48-year-old Reginald Bowman was involved in a verbal argument with an undisclosed victim. During the course of the argument the suspect reportedly threatened to kill the victim and members of the victim's family.

Responding officers arrested Bowman and was transferred to the county jail. The victim was given an emergency protective order.

Elk Grove Police Make Routine Traffic Stop, Apprehend Car Thief

2011-12-29T14:03:00.000-08:00

Caught after short foot pursuit

An early morning routine traffic stop by Elk Grove Police today resulted in the arrest of a car thieve after a brief foot pursuit.

According to police department reports, 24-year-old Truong Nguyen of Elk Grove was stopped near Elk Grove Florin Road and Four Seasons Drive for a vehicle code violation. As he pulled over, Nguyen reportedly left the vehicle then attempted to flee the area on foot.

After a brief pursuit the suspect was apprehended. After contacting the registered owner of the vehicle, officers determined that it had been stolen.

Nguyen was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Police Arrest Man That Hurls Obscenities, Fights With Officers on Highway 99

2011-12-28T18:17:00.000-08:00

Elk Grove Police arrested a man who got upset and became uncooperative after learning his car would be towed following a traffic stop last night.

According to police reports, patrol officers stop a vehicle on Highway 99 near Sheldon Road for a vehicle code violation and during the course of the stop smelled marijuana emanating from the car. A licence search led to the discovery that the driver of the car was unlicensed.

Officers also discovered that one of the passengers who was the owner of the car, 19-year-old Samuel Zepeda of Sacramento was on probation. After searching the car, officers advised Zepeda that the car would be towed away.

Upon learning this, the suspect became uncooperative and reportedly started yelling obscenities at an officer. When officers attempted to detain Zepeda, he refused to comply with instructions and started fighting with officers.

After a brief struggle on the side of the freeway, officers were able to take the suspect into custody and transferred him to the county jail.

Elk Grove Police Domestic Violence Suspect

2011-12-27T10:26:00.001-08:00

Two victims sustain visible injuries

Elk Grove Police made two separate domestic violence arrests yesterday that saw victims suffering visible injuries.

In the first incident, police arrested 45-year-old Rickey Holden of Elk Grove after he reportedly pushed his victim who fell and hit their head on a bathtub resulting in an injury. Responding officers deployed a taser on Holden after he reportedly failed to comply with their orders.

In the second incident police arrested 28-year-old Sara Gonigan of Elk Grove after she allegedly struck her victim in the head with a rock. After striking her victim, Gonigan reportedly began swinging a golf club at the victim who had fled to a nearby park.

Both suspects were arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Grinch Robs Elk Grove Pizzeria on Christmas Eve

2011-12-26T15:22:00.000-08:00

An Elk Grove pizzeria got a surprise visitor on Christmas Eve and unfortunately is wasn't Santa Claus.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, an unknown suspect entered the Round Table Pizza restaurant on Laguna Blvd. minutes before 9 p.m. and placed an order. When the employee open the register, the suspect reached over the counter and removed the cash drawer from the register.

The robber then pulled out a handgun and ran out the restaurant with the cash drawere and an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no reported injuries during the robbery.

The Grinch suspect is described as a black male adult, wearing a multi-color beanie, gray puffy jacket with light colored pants.

Elk Grove Man Arrested After Cursing Kid in Park

2011-12-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

An Elk Grove man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after he was reportedly harassing a child in an area park.

According to police department reports, 32-year old Yosef Alemi was reportedly cursing at a two-year old child at Willard Park on Cresleigh Parkway. A records check revealed that Alemi was on parole.

The suspect arrested then transported to the main jail. His parole officer was contacted and a parole hold was placed while at the jail.

Elk Grove Police Catch Suspect After Foot Chase

2011-12-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

An 18-year-old man was arrested yesterday afternoon after a foot chase with Elk Grove Police officers.

According to department reports, Jospeph Orpesa of Elk Grove was contacted by officers on the 9500 block of Elk Grove-Florin Road regarding a disturbances. The suspect fled after a records check revealed there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Officers pursued Oropesa on foot through an adjacent neighborhood where he was apprehended. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Accused Microwave Murderer Ka Vang's Attorney Speaks Out

2011-12-15T10:00:00.001-08:00

Linda Parisi and Ka Yang

Ka Yang, the Sacramento mother accused of microwaving her infant daughter generated worldwide interest when she was arrested last June.

In an exclusive interview, Yang's attorney Linda Parisi discusses the case.

See the interview below.

Holidays are Here, Elk Grove Police Make a Dozen DUI Arrests

2011-12-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

The Holidays brings out the best in people and unfortunately when those good spirits flow a little to much, it ends with drunk driving.

That was the case this weekend as Elk Grove Police made a dozen DUI arrest for the three days ending Sunday night. There were six arrests on Friday, three on Saturday and five on Sunday.

Among the suspects arrested were 24-year-old Robert Bernardino of Sacramento. In addition to being suspected of drunk driving and in possession of narcotics, the suspect had to be restrained by officers after he reportedly tried to kick out windows while seated in the backseat of the police car.

In addition to the DUI arrests, police also made two arrests for outstanding warrants and one each for domestic violence, child abuse and shoplifting.

Elk Grove Police Seek Gas Station Robbery Suspect

2011-12-08T13:43:00.001-08:00

The Elk Grove Police Department is asking for the community’s help in identifying a suspect involved in a robbery of a gas station convenience store.

On December 1, at approximately 11:52 a.m., the suspect entered the Shell Gas Station located at 9100 Harbour Pointe Drive in and robbed the clerk at gunpoint and fled in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as an Asian-American male in his late twenties (late 20’s) or early thirties (early 30’s) of age. He was approximately 5’5” and weighed approximately 160 lbs. The suspect was wearing a baseball cap, a black and white patterned, zipper-front hooded sweatshirt over a blue collar shirt with a black crew-neck shirt underneath. He was also wearing blue jeans and dark colored shoes.

The suspect was armed with a silver and black semi-automatic pistol. Therefore, this suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to call the Elk Grove Police Department Detective Bureau at (916) 478-8060 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Callers to Crime Alert can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Tips can also be sent via SMS text message by entering CRIMES (274637) on a cell phone, followed by Tip732 (agency identification number) and the message.

Elk Grove Police Make Traffic Stop, Arrest Meth Head

2011-12-07T13:44:00.000-08:00

Two arrests for domestic violence

An early morning traffic stop resulted in the arrest of a Sacramento man for narcotics possession.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, 49-year-old Jerry Bodiford was stopped early this morning on the 9000 block of Vicino Drive for a vehicle code violation. The suspect was reportedly found to be in possession of a crystalline substance.

A test of the substance demonstrated that it was presumptive positive for methamphetamine. Bodiford was arrested and transported to the main jail.

In other activity, police made two arrests in domestic violence incidents. In one of the cases the suspect displayed and threatened his victim with handgun.

Elk Grove Gas Station Robbed at Gunpoint

2011-12-02T11:40:00.001-08:00

A gas station on Elk Grove's west side was robbed at gunpoint yesterday morning.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, an unknown suspect entered the Shell gas station at 9100 Harbour point and selected several items then approached the cash register. The suspect then displayed a black and silver handgun and demanded money from the clerk.

Fearing for her safety, the clerk complied and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The suspect then ran out of the business towards the parking lot.

The suspect was described as an Asian male adult, 20 to 30 years of age, wearing a black and white stripped jacket. Officers responded to the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

Wal Mart Customer Tries Returning Merchanidse Purchased on Stolen Credit Card

2011-11-29T15:47:00.001-08:00

A Southern California woman was arrested yesterday at the Elk Grove Wal Mart after she tried returning merchandise that was purchased with a stolen credit card.

According to Elk Grove Police, officers were dispatched to the store after 23-year-old Gise Abrams of Victorville allegedly attempted to return merchandise she has purchased on Sunday. When clerks processed the transaction, it was discovered the card had been stolen.

After detaining the suspect and determining that the owner of the card did not know or authorize the suspect to use the card, Abrams was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

In another case of bad holiday shopping, police also arrested 46-year-old Brent Gray of Elk Grove yesterday afternoon after he allegedly tried to cash a fictitious check. The suspect was transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Man Arrested For Embezzlement

2011-11-18T11:23:00.000-08:00

An Elk Grove man was arrested yesterday morning by Elk Grove Police on embezzlement charges.

According to police department reports, 35-year-old Michael Abungin of Elk Grove was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement. Abungin was an employee of the Kohl's department store located on Bruceville Road in Elk Grove.

No details of the embezzlement were released. The suspect was transferred to the county jail after being taken into custody.

Task Force Makes Child Pornography Arrest

2011-11-18T11:16:00.000-08:00

Robert Michael Broadfoot

Early Tuesday morning, detectives assigned to the Sacramento Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force arrested 29-year-old Robert Michael Broadfoot (7-16-82) for the possession of child pornography.

In August of 2011, Broadfoot was identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Miami, Florida, as someone who had received child pornography over the internet. A federal search warrant for the suspect’s residence was later obtained and subsequently served on October 11, 2011.

Broadfoot’s computer was seized during the search of his residence. During the forensic examination of his computer, Broadfoot was found to have hundreds of photographs and videos depicting child pornography (some featuring girls as young as the age of eight).

Further investigation revealed Broadfoot provided private music instruction at children’s homes in the local area. Anyone with information in regards to Broadfoot is asked to contact the Internet Crimes Against Children task force at 916-874-3000.

Phoney Check Writer Busted For Dope By Elk Grove Cops

2011-11-18T09:45:00.001-08:00

A couple of suspects got a bit more than they bargained for when they tried to pass some phoney check on Wednesday night in Elk Grove.

According to Elk Grove Police, officers responded to a business on the 7700 block of Laguna Blvd. when it was discovered that 43-year-old Gregory Valdez and 28-year-old Qiana Allen, both of Sacramento, were alleged to pass a fictitious check. Responding officers arrived as the duo were trying to flee the business.

After the officers detained the two suspects, they also reportedly found narcotics paraphernalia that Valdez attempted to discard. A search of Valdez led to the discovery of narcotics.

Both suspects were arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Police Arrest Hit and Run Driver

2011-11-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

Elk Grove Police arrested a Sacramento man early yesterday afternoon after he apparently decided to leave an accident scene without bothering to exchange information.

According to police department reports, 22-year-old Jesus Rodriguez was driving a Dodge minivan that was involved in vehicle accident near Bond Road and Egret Drive and left without exchanging information with the driver of the other vehicle. Responding officers were able to locate the vehicle in the drive-way of a residence on the 8800 block of Kelsey Drive.

Officers detained several people in the backyard of the residence and contacted the suspect who provided false information about his identity. Through investigative efforts, officers determined that Rodriguez was driving the minivan when it was involved in the collision.

Rodriguez was arrested and transferred to the county jail. The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Teen Assaulted, Robbed of Cell Phone in Elk Grove Park

2011-11-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

A 14-year-old male was assaulted and robbed of his cell phone yesterday afternoon at a park on the city's far north side.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, the victim was a Fales Park on the 8400 block of Auberry Drive when an unknown male teenage suspect approached him, punched him in the face and took the cell phone away. The suspect them fled on foot and the victim pursued him.

The victim caught the assailant, attempted to detain him, but was unable to locate the phone. The victim was unable to control his assailant who fled the area on foot.

Responding officers were unable to locate the suspect after searching the area. The victim was not injured.

Elk Grove Teen Displays Gun in Robbery of Cell Phone, Gets Arrested

2011-11-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Instead of being in school yesterday morning, an Elk Grove male juvenile was spending his time in a very non-scholastic manner.

According to Elk Grove Police, a 19-year-old male victim was skateboarding near Becker Ranch Rd. and Toscano Dr. when he was approached by two males who asked to borrow his cell phone. The victim permitted the use of his phone until the two suspects left without giving back the phone.

When the victim asked for his phone back, one of the suspects pulled up his shirt and revealed a black revolver in the front waist of his pants. Both suspects them fled the area on foot with the cell phone.

Responding officers located a vehicle nearby with the suspects who matched the description provided by the victim.Officers detained the suspect who displayed the gun which turned out to be a pellet gun.

The victim's cell phone was located in the car and the suspect was arrested and taken to juvenil hall.

After Busy Weekend, Only Two Arrests in Elk Grove Yesterday

2011-11-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

After a weekend that included over a dozen arrests for everything from drunk driving to possession of brass knuckles, Elk Grove Police made only two arrests yesterday.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, the two arrest made were for drunk driving and an active warrant.
The DUI suspect was 20-year-old Vincent Martinez of Sacramento and 19-year-old Tallmon Sanders of Elk Grove was picked up for an active warrant. Both suspects were transferred to the county jail.

Busy Halloween Weekend for Elk Grove Cops

2011-11-01T13:19:00.001-07:00

For the three days leading up to Halloween, Elk Grove Police were dealing with more than just your usual assortments of ghost and goblins. Among the usual arrest for drunk driving, public intoxication, shoplifting and domestic violence, police also arrested a juvenile for possession of brass knuckles and two others for an attempted armed robbery of an area gas station.

For the three days ending last night, Elk Grove Police made eight narcotics arrests, six DUI arrests, two for public intoxication and two arrests for domestic violence.

In the case of the brass knuckles, police arrested the 16-year-old male juvenile suspect following a stop for a bicycle code violation on Saturday night. The juvenile was found to be in possession of the brass knuckles and have an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Police also arrested 25-year-old Anthony Ramos and 25-year-old Amy Thai, both of Sacramento, early Sunday morning after an attempted armed robbery of the Chevron gas station located on Sheldon Road. After responding officers located the suspects and they were identified by the victim, both were arrested and transferred to the county jail.

All of this and there was no full moon for Halloween.

Elk Grove Police Apprehend Car thief in Sacramento

2011-10-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Elk Grove Police apprehended a car thief yesterday morning in Sacramento.

According to Elk Grove Police, an officer stopped a vehicle on Highway 99 near Mack Road for a code violation. Upon contact, a records check revealed that the the operator, 28-year-old William Stephens of Sacramento, did not have a drivers license.

The registered owner of the vehicle was contacted by the Sacramento Police Department and they said that their vehicle had been stolen. The owner of the vehicle arrived at the location and indicated that they did not know the suspect nor give him permission to operate the vehicle.

The suspect was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Driver Shot at by Another Driver

2011-10-19T13:09:00.001-07:00

A man driving along an Elk Grove road was shot at yesterday morning.

According to Elk Grove Police, the 45-yer-old male victim was driving southbound on Grantline Road 1130 hours when a black BMW SUV pulled alongside the driver’s side.
The front passenger of the SUV, who was wearing a black mask and a black shirt, displayed a handgun then fired several rounds into the victims car.

The victim immediately pulled over and called EGPD. The victim was not hurt and the suspect vehicle was last seen driving towards Highway 99.

the victims car had several bullets holes in the driver’s side doors and a window was shattered. Responding officers were unable to locate the vehicle involved.

Domestic Violence Suspect Damages Elk Grove Police Car

2011-10-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

An Elk Grove man who was arrested Saturday afternoon on suspicion of domestic violence also took out his anger on an Elk Grove Police car.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, 20-year-old Robert Collins was involved in a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, Collins is accused of punching his victim in the face several times resulting in visible injuries.

Responding officers arrested Collins and was placed in the rear seat of the police car. While in police car, Collins reportedly kicked out the left rear side window and bent the door frame.

After Collins was retrained, he was transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Police Restrain Woman After Arguing With Elderly Father

2011-10-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

An Elk Grove woman had to be physically restrained yesterday afternoon following an argument with her father.

According to Elk Grove Police, the 85-year-old victim said his daughter, 48-year-old Nancy Jonson, began yelling at him for no apparent reason. The father also said his daughter made threat to harm him once he went to sleep.

Responding officer contacted Johnson who appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. During this time, the suspect reportedly became uncooperative to the point that she had to be physically restrained by officers.

Johnson was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and making criminal threats.

Robbers Fail in Attempt to Rob Elk Grove Restaurant

2011-10-17T14:32:00.001-07:00

Two men attempted to rob an Elk Grove sandwich shop as it was closing for business on Friday night.

According to Elk Grove Police, two unknown suspect entered the Subway store located on the 8100 block of Elk Grove Blvd. with one of the suspect jumping over the counter and physically controlled a store employee. The other robber the took another employee to the rear of the store in an attempt to gain access to the safe and cash register.

The employees were unable to gain access to the safe or the cash register. When the robbers heard a customer enter the store, the fled on foot out through the rear door.

The two suspects are believed to both be Caucasian. No cash was taken during the attempted robbery and no weapons were involved.

Elk Grove Woman Attacked During Child Custody Dispute

2011-10-13T17:19:00.001-07:00

Smashed windshields, keyed car

An Elk Grove woman was reportedly attacked early last night after she served papers in a child custody matter.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, 23-year-old Erika Correa of Stockton came to the residence of her ex-husband to pick up her daughter. While at the residence, Correa was served with an ex-parte custody order by a 24-year-old female residing at the residence.

Correa then reportedly struck and kicked the female victim who served the order knocking the victim to the floor inside the residence. The suspect then left the house and smashed a clay pot and a decorative dog statue into the windshield of the females victim's and ex-husband's cars.

Not satisfied, Correa then reportedly continued her rampage and keyed another car belonging to her ex-husband. Before more damage was done, responding officers arrived and detained Correa.

The female victim signed a citizens arrest and was granted an emergency protective order. Correa was taken to the county jail.

Teen Fight Leads to Arrest of Five Suspects, Vandalized House

2011-10-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

A fight that was broken up between two two teens was reignited last night that led to the arrest of five suspects.

According to Elk Grove Police, 18-year-old Diamond Fulgham of Rancho Cordova and 19-year old Thomas Ewing of Elk Grove were involved were involved in a fight on Sunday. At the time both men decided against pursuing prosecution.

Yesterday, however, Fulgham and four other suspects went to a residence on the 8100 block of Wyndwillow Way and challenged Ewing to a fight. Ewing and none of the occupants of the residence went outside.

One of the five suspects then broke two windows on the residence’s garage door and left the area. Once again the suspects returned and challenged Ewing to a fight.

One of the suspects threatened to shoot Ewing and another was swinging a bat around. The occupants called the Elk Grove Police.

The suspects then got in their car and drove on the residence’s lawn causing significant damage. After leaving the scene, responding officers located the vehicle and detained the suspects in the parking lot of Home Depot.

After positively identifying the suspects, police arrested Fulgham and 23-year old Cedric Blackwell, 18-year-old Brittany August and 24-year-old Markas Fulgham, all of a Sacramento. Also arrested was a 17-year-old female juvenile from Rancho Cordova.

All the adult suspects were transferred to the county jail and the juvenile was issued a citation and released to a parent.

Elk Grove Police Thwart In-Progress Burglary, Arrest Five

2011-10-06T19:36:00.001-07:00

Elk Grove Police caught and arrested five men who are suspected of burglarizing a home on Tuesday afternoon.

According to police department reports, officers were dispatched to the 8200 block of Lauffer Way after receiving a report of an in-progress burglary. When they arrived, officers saw two suspects standing in front of the house.

Upon the police arrival, four of the suspects fled the the scene on foot and were pursued by officers. Other officers established a perimeter around the area and confirmed the burglary had taken place.

Officers were able to locate and detain all five suspects and recovered property suspected to have been stolen from the house. A search of one of the suspects car led to the discovery of a firearm.

The arrested suspects include 18-year-old Charles Timothy of Elk Grove, 19-year-old Javier Torres, 18-year-old Dursaa Mume and 19-year-old Gabriel Aquino, all of Sacramento. The fifth suspect was a 15-year-old male juvenile.

The four adult suspects were taken to the county jail and the juvenile to juvenile hall.

Elk Grove Police Seek Help Locating At-Risk Adult

2011-10-05T22:56:00.000-07:00

UPDATED - Mr. Davis has been located.

The Elk Grove Police Department is asking for the community’s help in locating an at risk missing person, 85-year-old Kenneth Davis who suffers from dementia and uses an oxygen tank to assist in breathing.

Kenneth Davis was last seen this morning at 9:15 a.m. on Park Meadows Drive in Elk Grove. Davis was driving a silver 2006 Chevy Trailblazer with California license plate # 1730SDP. Mr. Davis was planning to visit his adult daughter who resides in the west area of Elk Grove but he never arrived.

Davis is described as a Caucasian male adult, 5’10”, 220 lbs., gray hair with brown eyes and glasses. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt and blue jeans. Mr. Davis does not have a cell phone or credit cards.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Kenneth Davis is asked to contact the Elk Grove Police Department Dispatch Center at (916) 691-5246.

Elk Grove Police Arrest Wanted Suspect, Discover More

2011-10-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

A Monday afternoon arrest of a man known to have outstanding felony warrants led to the discovery of other activities by Elk Grove Police.

According to police reports, officers observed 43-yer-old Mark Wilson of Sacramento standing in the parking lot of a gas station on Orchard Loop Lane who was known to have outstanding felony warrants out for his arrest and was on probation. Officers contacted Wilson inside a vehicle in which he was a passenger.

A search of the vehicle, which was registered to Wilson, led to the discover of narcotics, a drivers license that was reported stolen in a car burglary and two firearms.

Wilson was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Drunk Driver Flees Scene, Get Flat Tires and Arrested

2011-10-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

A Carmichael lady got more than she probably expected out of her On Star car service Saturday night.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, officers responded to an On Star call regarding a disabled car on Saturday night. As they approached the car on Gropius St. and Laguna Blvd., they observed 30-year-old Jennifer Anderson enter the vehicle and drive it away.

As the suspect drove the car across a median, the front and rear passenger side tires were blown out. After contacting the driver, officers arrested the suspect on suspicion of drunk driving.

Yelling at Mom Leads to Arrest of Sacramento Man

2011-09-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

A Sacramento man probably regrets yelling at mother after it led to his arrest early Thursday morning.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, officers were dispatched to the 9400 block of W. Stockton Blvd. regarding a family disturbance. Upon arrival, officers observed 28-year-old Dante Woods yelling excessively at his mother and displaying objective signs of impairment.

A records check revealed that Woods had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest. The suspect was arrested without incident and transferred to the county jail.

It just goes to show you should never yell at your mother.

Elk Grove Moves to Limit medical Marijuana Cultivation

2011-09-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Following complaints from several residents about medical marijuana cultivation, the Elk Grove City Council last night instructed the police department and city attorney to craft an ordinance that would strictly limit the activity.

The issue was originally brought to the city council's attention at the August 11 meeting when several residents of an eastside rural neighborhood complained about a two-acre operation. According to those residents, there were about 55 plants being cultivated.

At last night's meeting Elk Grove resident Kathy Kokkos returned to thank the council for taking the matter into considerations and to reiterate her concern about the growing operation on her neighborhood.

"I firmly believe we need to be safe," she said. "It has definitely affected us."

Elk Grove Police Capt. Bryan Noblett explained how a several Northern California municipalities regulate medical marijuana growing within their jurisdictions. During their deliberations, council members expressed their desires to tightly regulate growing operations.

Council member Jim Copper said that while he supports medical marijuana use for legitimate medical purposes, he said almost anyone can get a medical card and that has negative affects on communities.

Cooper joked that he "could get a card just to cope with council meetings."

The council directed Police Chief Robert Lehner and interim City Attorney Jonathon Hobbs to prepare an ordinance modeled on the City of Corning's model that tightly regulates the manner and method of how plants can be grown and prohibits outdoor cultivation. The ordinance is expected to be presented at the October 12 meeting.

Suspected Drunk Driver Hits Wall, Flees the Scene

2011-09-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

An Elk Grove man was arrested last night on suspicion of fleeing the scene of an accident and drunk driving.

According to Elk Grove Police, 23-year-old Christopher Xiong was driving a vehicle that collided with a retaining wall on the corner of Sheldon Road and Springhurst Drive. After the collision Xiong reportedly fled the scene leaving the vehicle behind.

Responding officers determined that the registered owner lived nearby. Officers contact the suspect on his way home who displayed objective signs of impairment and was arrested

Elk Grove Juveniles Arrested for Suspected Residential Burglary

2011-09-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

Three Elk Grove juvenile suspects were early arrested Tuesday afternoon for the burglary of a residence on the 9600 block of Amber Waves Wy.

According to Elk Grove Police, officers responded to an in-progress burglary at the residence. A witness contacted police because they thought that three juvenile were trying to break into a residence.

The witness provided a detailed description of the three individuals involved. Responding officers located two 17-year-old male suspects (Elk Grove residents) who matched the description of the burglary suspects but were unable to locate the reported third suspect.

A check of the residence the suspects were seen leaving revealed an electrical box had been opened, and the rear sliding door screen was open. Both suspects were taken into custody then transported to juvenile hall.

Suspected Axe Murderer Arrested By Elk Grove Police

2011-09-21T15:28:00.001-07:00

Suspect has self-inflicted wounds police say

Last night Elk Grove Police Department responded to the 9500 block of Emerald Park Drive regarding a request to check on the well being of a male resident.

Responding officers arrived and located an unidentified male inside a rear bedroom of the apartment suffering from several stab wounds to the upper torso. The unidentified victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers also located a second person, 19-year-old Darrell Dewitt, inside the residence suffering from stab wounds to the upper torso. Medical personnel arrived and immediately began treating Dewitt in the parking lot of the apartment complex. Dewitt was transported to a local area hospital for medical treatment. Two additional men, who were detained at the residence, were transported to the police department for questioning.

During the course of the investigation, detectives developed information that Dewitt was responsible for the stabbing death of the male found in the rear bedroom. The murder weapon, believed to be an axe, has been recovered.

Detectives also believe the superficial injuries Dewitt suffered were self inflicted. Since the deceased has not been identified, detectives are unable to provide additional details about the relationship between the two men. The two men who were initially detained were later released.

Early this morning, Darrell Dewitt, who was still receiving medical treatment at a local area hospital, was taken into custody for homicide. When his medical condition allows, he will be transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail and booked for Penal Code 187(A) (Murder).

No booking photo of Dewitt is currently is available. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Elk Grove Police Department Dispatch Center (916) 714-5115.

EGPD Releases Photos of Credit Union Robber Suspect

2011-09-15T16:49:00.001-07:00

Elk Grove Police released surveillance photos of the person suspected of robbing the California Community Credit Union on Monday morning. Read the original story here.

Police ask anyone who might have any further information about the identity of the suspect to Elk Grove Police Department Detective Bureau at (916) 478-8060 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357).

Callers to Crime Alert can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Tips can also be sent via SMS text message by entering CRIMES (274637) on a cell phone, followed by Tip732 (agency identification number) and the message.

Elk Grove Credit Union Held-Up

2011-09-13T15:25:00.001-07:00

No guns displayed during robbery

An Elk Grove credit union was held up by two robbers yesterday morning in Elk Grove.
According to Elk Grove Police, two unknown black male suspects wearing camouflage entered the California Community Credit Union on the 4800 block of Laguna Blvd at 10:26 yesterday morning and demanded cash from an employee. Fearing for their safety, the employee complied and were given an undisclosed amount if cash.

The suspects then exited the store and were last seen going into the parking lot. Responding officers were unable to locate the suspects.

The first suspect is described as being 6’ tall, 140 lbs and the second was described as being 5’6”, 180 lbs. They were both wearing dark sunglasses and camouflage military style caps.

No weapons were displayed during the robbery and no surveillance images were released.

Dubious Cook Seller Arrested by Elk Grove Police

2011-09-13T11:35:00.001-07:00

A Sacramento man was arrested yesterday afternoon after he was caught selling cookies door-to-door with his eight-year old daughter that weren't exactly Girl Scout Cookies.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, 55-year-old Kevin Cole was conducting door-to-door sales on the 9100 block of Rancho Dr. yesterday afternoon claiming the sales were for the benefit of cheerleading and football program and the cookies would be delivered at a later date. When Cole attempted to pull the ruse on one mark, the victim remembered hearing about the scam and immediately contacted the police.

Responding officers detained the suspect and developed information that not only was Cole collecting the money for his personal use, but he was also on probation.

Cole was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and petty theft and was transferred to the county jail. The suspects daughter was released to relatives in Sacramento.

No word on what types of cookies Cole was attempting to sell.

Duo Grab Cash in Run in Robbery of Elk Grove Convenience Sore

2011-09-09T12:59:00.001-07:00

Two unidentified men literally took the money and ran in the robbery of an Elk Grove convenience store late last night.

According to Elk Grove Police, two men entered the AM/PM store on the 8500 block of Elk Grove Blvd at 11:39 last night under the guise of purchasing sodas. As one of the suspects purchased a soda and the clerk opened the cash drawer, the second suspect pushed the clerk, grabbed the cash drawer and fled the store.

After searching the area, responding officers were unable to locate the two suspects who were described as African-American men in their 20's wearing hood sweatshirts. There was no reported injuries to the clerk and no surveillance pictures were released.

Elk Grove Shoplifting Suspect Branishes Knife at Store Employee

2011-09-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

An Elk Grove man was arrested yesterday morning after a shoplifting incident that included the suspect brandishing a knife.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, 23-yer-old James Gilmore was observed shoplifting by an employee at the the Rite Aid on Elk Grove Blvd. The store employee confronted the suspect inside the store but he pushed his way past the employee and left the store.

When the employee approached Gilmore outside the store, the suspect brandished a knife and threatened the worker. Gilmore fled the store northbound on Bruceville Rd. on a bicycle and was located and detained a short distance away by responding officers.

After being positively identified by witnesses, Gilmore was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Cops Catch Elderly Prowler

2011-09-02T11:48:00.001-07:00

An elderly prowler was captured by Elk Grove Police last night after he tried evading arrest.

According to police department reports, officers were dispatched to the 9500 block of Emerald Vista Dr. lat night after receiving reports of a prowler in a backyard. Upon being seen by the officers, 74-year-old Adrian Garcia climbed over a fence in an effort to avoid capture.

Officers were able to detain the suspect in an adjacent yard and determined that he did not live at the location where he was first observed. Garcia was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Two Elk Grove Brothers Fight, One Literally Gets Back-Stabbed

2011-09-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

Two Elk Grove brothers were involved in a fight last night that ended with one brother being stabbed.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, 18-yaer-old John Valdes was involved in a verbal argument with his 23-year-old brother that escalated into a physical altercation. During the altercation the suspect armed himself with a steak knife and stabbed his brother in the back.

The brother suffered three puncture wounds to the back and was treated at an area hospital for non-life threatening wounds. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Labor Day Weekend DUI Checkpoint Planned by Elk Grove Police

2011-08-31T16:56:00.003-07:00

Don't drink and drive - that will be the message the Elk Grove Police will convey this coming weekend when they conduct a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint within the city of Elk Grove on September 4, 2011 from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

The checkpoint will focus on removing impaired drivers, as well as unlicensed drivers from the roadways. Educational materials covering the dangers of driving under the influence will also be handed out to motorist. The public is encouraged to call the Elk Grove Police Department at (916) 714-5111 (emergency line) or 911 if they observe a suspected impaired driver.

Funding for the sobriety checkpoint is provided through a DUI Enforcement and Awareness Grant that was made available by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Elk Grove Police Catch Bike Thieves

2011-08-30T13:52:00.001-07:00

Elk Grove Police were able to do almost the impossible last night - catch annoying bike thieves.

According to police department reports, an Elk Grove resident reported the theft of two bikes from his porch located on the 8200 block of Oakbriar Cir. last night. Although the victim chased the suspected thieves, he was unable to located them.

A short time later, an officer located three individuals with two bikes at Elk Grove Blvd. and Bruceville Rd., who matched the description of the suspects from the earlier call. The three suspects were detained and victim was notified.

After the victim identified the suspects, police issued citations to 24-year-old Johnta Waters of Elk Grove and two male juvenile suspects aged 14 and 12, both of Elk Grove. All three were released.

Elk Grove Police Make Unusual Discovery During Arrest

2011-08-29T17:12:00.001-07:00

When Elk Grove Police stopped a scooter-driving man early Friday morning they made an most unusual discovery of contraband.

According to police department reports, patrol officers stopped 62-year old Dari Shales of Rancho Cordova who was seated on a scooter at the intersection of Sheldon Rd. and Bradshaw Rd. for expired tags. Officers observed the key in the scooters ignition and that the suspect displayed objective signs of impairment.

A search of Shales led to the discovery of a pair of composite knuckles and more interestingly, a stun gun built into a knuckles. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove Soccer Coach Pleas on Sex Charges

2011-08-25T19:12:00.001-07:00

Temblador will serve over four years.

Elk Grove soccer coach Arthur Temblador entered a guilty plea to four felony charges involving sexual misconduct.

Temblador, 36, was a coach for the Everton Soccer Club in Elk Grove and was accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with one of his players from the summer of 2010 through spring 2011. The victim was between the ages of 15-16 years old at the time and the conduct occurred in four different counties.

Under the plea agreement, Temblador will serve four years, four months in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. Sentencing is set for October 27, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 8 in front of the Judge Gary Ransom.

DUI Checkpoint in Elk Grove Tonight

2011-08-20T09:23:00.001-07:00

The Elk Grove Police Department will be conducting a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint within the City of Elk Grove on August 20 from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

The checkpoint will focus on removing impaired drivers, as well as unlicensed drivers from the roadways. Educational materials covering the dangers of driving under the influence will also be handed out to motorist.

The public is encouraged to call the Elk Grove Police Department at (916) 714-5111 (emergency line) or 911 if they observe a suspected impaired driver.

Funding for the sobriety checkpoint is provided through a DUI Enforcement and Awareness Grant that was made available by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Man Robbed, Attacked in Elk Grove Medical Marijuana Deal

2011-08-18T15:43:00.001-07:00

EGPD Detective makes collar in Sacramento

A 23-year-old man holding a medical marijuana card was robbed and attacked yesterday afternoon in Elk Grove.

According to Elk Grove Police, the victim had arranged to purchase some marijuana on the 9500 block of E. Stockton Blvd. from 24-year-old Patrick Stewart and 23-year-old Kim Holzmann. When the victim met to make the purchase, Stewart entered the victims car, took the money for the marijuana and then attacked the victim.

As the victim fled his vehicle, Stewart took the keys and ran over to the vehicle he arrived at scene in. As officers were responding to the location, an EGPd detective located the getaway vehicle traveling north on Hwy. 99 and initiated an enforcement stop.

The sharp-eyed detective detained both suspect near the 12th Ave. exit on Hwy. 99. After being detained, the victim positively identified both suspect who were then arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove child molester cops plea

2011-08-18T12:49:00.001-07:00

Child molester Bradley Dayley

Elk Grove Detective praised for 'thorough investigative work' on case

Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully announced that 40 year-old Bradley Dayley of Elk Grove pled guilty to multiple charges of molestation committed against two children beginning when they were 9 and 16 years old.

From 2005 to 2009, Dayley repeatedly sexually assaulted the victims and videotaped and photographed several of the occurrences. The molestations were discovered after Dayley posted lewd photos of one of the victims on the internet and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children located the images.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Sacramento determined the photos came from Elk Grove and contacted the Elk Grove Police Department for further investigation. Elk Grove Police Detective Kevin Papineau used the locations seen in the photographs to track down Dayley at his home.

“Detective Kevin Papineau is a true hero in this case," Deputy District Attorney Casey Newton said. "With his thorough investigative work and personal commitment to the case, this child molester can no longer assault his young victims and will be held accountable for his crimes.”

Under the plea agreement, Dayley will be sentenced to 60 years and 8 months to life in prison. Sentencing is set for September 23, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 19 of the Sacramento Superior Court.

Elk Grove Police arrest two suspects on drug charges

2011-08-17T13:28:00.001-07:00

Tried to ditch dope

Two people were arrested early Tuesday morning after they were discovered to be in possession of narcotics.

According to Elk Grove Police, 26-year-old Edwin Lee of Elk Grove was operating a vehicle on the 7200 block of Laguna Blvd. that was stopped for a vehicle code violation. A passenger in the vehicle, 18-year-old Whitley Brown provided officers with false information about her identity.

Lee was also observed trying to discard narcotics and both suspects were detained. Officers recovered the narcotics and Brown was reportedly found to be in possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

Both were arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Elk Grove woman arrested for abuse trifecta - elder, child and animal cruelty

2011-08-14T14:23:00.001-07:00

An Elk Grove Women was arrested Friday afternoon for elder abuse, child abuse and cruelty to animals after officers found the victims in horrid living conditions.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, officers discovered that the residents residing in the house on the 4600 block of Stuben Ct. that was covered with garbage and debris along with cat, dog and rat feces. Responding officers arrested 32-year-old Charlotte Permenter of Elk Grove.

The 53-year-old female victim was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment and a 14-year old boy and 12-year-old girl were turned over to child protective services. The pets inside the residence were taken to the SPCA and city code enforcement red-tagged the residence due to the living conditions.

Not-so-bright teen's robbery of Elk Grove fitness center foiled by patrons

2011-08-14T13:53:00.001-07:00

A Sacramento teen's attempt to rob an area fitness center was foiled early Friday morning by several of the center's patrons.

According to Elk Grove Police reports, the 16-year-old male suspect entered the 24 Hour Fitness Center located on Elk Grove-Florin Road and simulated having a gun inside his sweater and demanded an employee give him cash. When the employee explained to the suspect that he did not access the register, the suspect then demanded his cell phone and the employee declined to comply.

At about the time the employee discovered that the object the suspect claimed was a gun was actually a water bottle, the suspect grabbed the employee and punched him in the face. Several of the fitness center's patrons notice the attack and intervened.

Responding officer took the juvenile suspect into custody and transferred him to juvenile hall.

Endangered Missing 2-Year Old: Urgent Alert

2011-08-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

Mourad "Moni" Samaan

Madeline Samaan-Fay, age 2, was abducted by her father in Sacramento, California on Sunday, August 7, 2011.

Madeline is a 2-year-old female, 2’8” tall, about 28 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

The father is Mourad “Moni” Samaan, age 49, male, U.S. citizen born in Egypt, 5’6” tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes. Samaan is believed to be an accomplished Spanish speaker.

Mourad Samaan is known to drive a Green Toyota 4Runner with California license 3XRM11.

Madeline Samaan-Faye

The circumstances of the abduction are particularly concerning and FBI officials believe the child’s life may be in jeopardy.

“In spite of extraordinary efforts by our field agents and local law enforcement, we have been unable to develop any leads on the whereabouts of the child or her father since this Saturday,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert M. Brown, “We request the public call us at (916) 481-9110 if they see the car, Mr. Samaan, or have any information to assist us.”

“The FBI is aggressively working this in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, including the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff, the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Justice,” added Mr. Brown.

The media is invited to release the below photographs of the child, father, and vehicle.

Gang banger sentenced to 83 to life for killing, drive-by shootings

2011-08-12T18:15:00.003-07:00

Shooting in South Sacramento by Norteno gang member
District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that the Honorable Cheryl Meegan sentenced Juan Carranco to 83 years to life in prison for the murder of Carlos Cervantes and two separate drive-by shootings.
On October 31, 2009, Cervantes was attending a party at the home of a cousin on Clover Manor Way in South Sacramento. One of his friends became involved in a fight with Norteno gang members. Cervantes tried to break up the fight before Carranco walked up to Cervantes and shot him in the head, killing him. In a separate trial, Carranco was convicted for the attempted murder of Jesse Mena stemming from two drive-by shootings. On December 10, 2009, Carranco and several gang associates fired multiple shots at Mena's car. They then drove to the home of a rival gang member and fired several shots into the house. Nobody was injured in either incident.

Wells Fargo sued in reverse mortgage dispute

2011-08-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

Elk Grove resident lead plaintiff in class action suit; Wells Fargo 'wrongful and irrational'

Synopsis: AARP and two law firms filed a class action suit against Wells Fargo and Fannie Mae on behalf of reverse mortgage heirs for illegally foreclosing on their homes.

A California resident has become yet another victim of the reverse mortgage program that is making it difficult for him to stay in the home he grew up in.

Elk Grove man takes lead

When Robert Chandler's mother died last year, Chandler got saddled with a reverse mortgage loan that his mother had taken out five years earlier on the Elk Grove, Calif. home he inherited. When he was unable to pay the full loan balance, Wells Fargo initiated foreclosure proceedings on his home.

The bank didn't tell him that he could have purchased his home for the current market value, as per the contract.

On Aug. 3, AARP Foundation Litigation, along with two law firms, filed a class action suit against both Wells Fargo and Fannie Mae on behalf of Chandler and other reverse mortgage heirs for foreclosing on their homes without giving them notice of the right to purchase their homes for the market value.

Chandler, who is in his 60s, believes that he should not have been told by Wells Fargo that he had to pay the approximately $338,000 outstanding balance on his mother's reverse mortgage loan. His lawyers say he should have been allowed to pay just the $194,000 market value at the time of her death, and get clear title to it.

"What Wells Fargo did doesn't make sense," asserted Kelly Corcoran of the San Francisco-based law firm Kerr and Wagstaff, which co-filed the lawsuit. In fact, "it was wrongful and irrational."

Teri Schrettenbrunner, senior vice president of the San Francisco-based office of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Communications, declined to comment on the Chandler case, citing pending litigation. She would only say that the bank had operated in accordance with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines.

"We are bound to operate within the rules set by HUD," Schrettenbrunner said.

The Chandler case is yet another dispute stemming from the nation's housing collapse, much of which can be blamed on steering people of color toward subprime loans by some of the country's top banks.

But the complexities of reverse mortgage rules seem to be creating problems for the borrowers and their heirs.

"Historically, there have been widespread abuses in the marketing of reverse mortgages that are not in the best interest of seniors," said Caryn Becker, policy counsel with the Center for Responsible Lending.

Reverse mortgages allow homeowners 62 or over to borrow against the equity of their home so that they can receive a lump sum or monthly payments from the lender.

Authorized by Congress some 25 years ago, the Home Equity Conversions Mortgages (HECM) program, the most popular reverse mortgage program, which is insured and regulated by HUD, was intended to protect borrowers from financial upheavals they may face in their later years.

The borrowers pay high upfront costs when they sign the contract, as well as monthly insurance premiums to cover any decline in value of their property. After their death, the house is sold and the mortgage is paid off.

In 2008, HUD changed its policies on reverse loans, forcing scores of spouses and heirs of borrowers into foreclosures. One of the changes HUD made was to a rule that allowed the heir to sell a property for 95 percent to 100 percent of its appraised value at the time of the borrower's death. The new rule stated that only "arm's-length transactions" would be allowed under that range of prices. That effectively meant that a surviving spouse or heir could retire a reverse mortgage only by repaying the full loan balance, but that a third-party buyer could purchase the property for as little as 95 percent of the appraised market value.

The heir "could sell the property to anyone off the street for 95 percent of the appraised value and that would have satisfied the bank," Chandler's attorney, Corcoran, said. "Because Chandler wanted to purchase it himself, the bank wouldn't allow it." That, she said, was illegal.

AARP sued HUD in April, saying that as a result of the rule change, many spouses and heirs who want to purchase the property have been unable to do so because they can't get financing that exceeds the current value of the property.

That lawsuit argued that the rule violates existing contracts between reverse mortgage borrowers and lenders, and that it negates a key purpose for which borrowers had been paying insurance premiums.

Two months after AARP sued HUD, the federal agency reversed that rule.

Called for a comment, HUD declined to discuss the issue.

According to Jean Constantine-Davis, a senior attorney with AARP Foundation Litigation, Chandler's mother, Rosemarie, got a reverse mortgage loan in 2005 on a home the family has owned and lived in since the 1940s.

Rosemarie's contract with Wells Fargo allowed her, and by extension her heir, to sell off the property at 95 percent of the fair market value at the time of her death.

Soon after his mother died, Chandler said he spoke to a Wells Fargo home mortgage consultant in Elk Grove on three occasions about purchasing the property for the appraised value, according to the lawsuit. The consultant allegedly told him that he wouldn't be allowed, and that he would have to pay off the full loan balance if he wanted to keep the house.

This past January, Wells Fargo, acting as a servicer for Fannie Mae, issued a "notice of default" to the property, and told Chandler he could "cure the default" by paying off the $338,000 balance as of January 6, 2011.

"Wells Fargo did not inform him of the 95 percent rule," asserted Constantine-Davis, noting that Chandler's case is not an "isolated one."

In the wake of HUD's reversal of its rule on the rights of surviving spouses and heirs earlier this year, "we have been contacted by many, many others facing the same problem."

And, she noted: "It is difficult to understand why reverse mortgage lenders continue to deny (heirs) their contractual and legal rights."

Teenage suspect caught burglarizing Elk Grove residence

2011-08-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Citizen detains suspect, other suspect escapes

With the help of a vigilant citizen, Elk Grove Police arrested a teenage adult burglary suspect late last night

According to Elk Grove Police, officers responded to an in-progress burglary on the 9100 block of Falcon Creek Circle. At the same time, a neighbor hear a loud crashing sound in his back yard and discovered 18-year-old suspect Sammy Espinoza in his yard.

The neighbor was able to detain the suspect but unable to detain an accomplice. When officers arrived, they discovered that Espinoza was in possession of property that was taken during the burglary.

Officers checked the residence that had been burglarized and discovered the interior had been vandalized. Espinoza was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Governor Brown makes six appointments to Board of Parole

2011-08-11T08:48:00.001-07:00

Several from Sacramento region

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following six appointments to the Board of Parole Hearings.

Dan Figueroa, 60, of Blythe, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Figueroa worked at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison as a correctional counselor from 1996 to 2010 and as a business services supervisor from 1992 to 1996. He served as a property controller with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 1988 to 1992. Figueroa worked at the Board of Equalization from 1982 to 1988, serving as a statewide recruitment coordinator and a business tax representative. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $111,845. Figueroa is a Democrat.

Jack Garner, 67, of Gold River, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Garner has served as a commissioner on the Board since 2005. He was a senior law enforcement consultant to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training from 1990 to 2005. Garner served as the city manager of Martinez from 1985 to 1990. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $111,845. Garner is registered decline-to-state.

Howard Moseley, 44, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Moseley has served as an adjunct professor at the University of the Pacific, School of International Studies since 2005. He served in several postions at the Office of the Inspector General from 2004 to 2011, most recently as chief assistant inspector general of the Bureau of Independent Review. Moseley was a deputy attorney general in the Criminal Law Division of the California Department of Justice from 1996 to 2004. This position requires Senate confirmation and the annual compensation is $111,845. Moseley is a Democrat.

John Peck, 54, of Sutter Creek, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Peck has served as a commissioner on the Board since 2009. He also served as a retired annuitant deputy commissioner with the Board from 2007 to 2009 and as a correctional officer in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 1983 to 2007. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $111,845. Peck is a Democrat.

Michael Prizmich, 66, of Plymouth, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Prizmich has served as a commissioner on the Board since 2007. He served Amador County in multiple positions from 1976 to 2006, including sheriff-coroner from 1995 to 2006. This position requires Senate confirmation and the annual compensation is $111,845. Prizmich is a Republican.

Terri Turner, 56, of West Sacramento, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Turner has served as a retired annuitant deputy commissioner with the Board since 2008. She retired as a regional adult parole administrator in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2007 after serving there since 1980. This position requires Senate confirmation and the annual compensation is $111,845. Turner is a Democrat.

Wal Mart shoplifters take Elk Grove PD on short pursuit

2011-08-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

Three Sacramento women suspected of shoplifting the Elk Grove Wal Mart led Elk Grove Police on a short vehicle pursuit Tuesday afternoon.

According to Elk Grove Police, 23-year-old Joanne Dupont, 21-year-old Jennifer Dupont and 32-year-old Mary Jobes were seen shoplifting by Wal Mart loss prevention personnel and provided responding officers physical descriptions and a licence plate number of the vehicle the two of the suspects were seen leaving the store in. A records check of the number revealed the vehicle had reported the stolen from Citrus Heights.

Officers located the vehicle leaving the area and attempted to conduct an enforcement stop. Joanne Duport was driving the stolen vehicle and did not yield and led officers on a 9.7 mile pursuit.

The pursuit terminated in Sacramento County at the Fruitridge Community Park. Both Duponts were taken into custody without incident.

The stolen merchandise was recovered inside the stolen vehicle. Both suspects were arrested and later transported to the main jail. Jobes was later located and arrested for her involvement in the initial theft.

Driver killed in Elk Grove vehicle collision

2011-08-10T23:00:00.001-07:00

At 12:24 p.m. this afternoon the Elk Grove Police Department responded to a call of a two vehicle collision on Bradshaw Road just north of Elk Grove Boulevard.

Identification of the deceased driver will be made by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. At this time, based on preliminary information, it appears that the driver of the Nissan crossed over a solid double yellow into the lane of oncoming traffic.

The collision is under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Elk Grove Police Department Traffic Bureau at(916) 478-8148.

Elk Grove Police bust Elk Grove, Plumas Lakes pot houses

2011-08-05T14:29:00.001-07:00

87-year-old suspect Mei Huang

Over 3,100 marijuana plants seized; 87-year-old amongst suspects

Yesterday the Elk Grove Police Department served several search warrants within Elk Grove, Sacramento and Plumas Lake related to a marijuana cultivation operation. The warrant service was led by detectives from the Elk Grove Police Department Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department’s HIDTA & CALMET team and the Yuba/Sutter Narcotic / Gang Enforcement team.

Detectives obtained and served search warrants for the following locations: Elk Grove (8474 Modena Way), Sacramento (8548 Aleksander Ct., 8 Brenham Ct., 34 Loma Mar Ct.), and Plumas Lake (1971 Bidwell Bar Dr., 1912 Long Horn Trail Dr., 1730 Guildford Way). During the warrant service, detectives located indoor marijuana-growing operations at several of the residences and recovered over 3,100 marijuana plants.

Detectives arrested Dao Rong Feng (4/15/66), Mary Phung La (6/9/47), Tyson La (3/6/88), Li Guang Lai (8/9/73), Dat Ngoc Mai (3/11/92), Hoang Ngoc Mai (7/15/90), Mei Huang (7/2/24), Sam Truong (8/19/74) and Anh Thi Mai Vu (7/31/71) on charges of 11358 H&S (Produce or Cultivate Marijuana), 11359 H&S (Possession of Marijuana for sales), 498 (d) PC (Theft of Utility Services) and 182(A)(1) PC (Conspiracy). The eight individuals are currently being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail.

Elk Grove parolee arrested after hit and run with fire hydrant

2011-08-03T11:46:00.001-07:00

An Elk Grove man was arrested early yesterday morning following a hit and run accident.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, 37-year old Phillip Alva was operating a diesel truck that struck a fire hydrant on the corner of Bond and Elk Grove-Florin Road. After striking the hydrant, Alva reportedly fled the scene.

After making an enforcement stop, responding officers determined that Alva was on parole and a search led to the discovery of narcotics. Alva was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 25 Years in Ongoing Nuestra Familia Gang Prosecution

2011-07-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb sentenced Gabriel Caracheo, 38, of Salinas, today to 25 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the FBI’s Stockton Violent Crime Task Force, the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force (METRO), the Stockton Police Department, the Salinas Police Department, the Watsonville Police Department, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) that was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Hitt and William S. Wong prosecuted the case.

According to evidence introduced in a related trial, the Nuestra Familia (NF) is a violent Hispanic prison gang based in the California prison system, which exerts control over street-level Norteño gang members engaged in drug trafficking and violent crime. NF members and associates were responsible for distributing large amounts of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy in the Eastern and Northern Districts of California with supply lines from Mexico and distribution channels throughout the United States.

According to court documents, between April 2004 and June 2007, more than 20 individuals were operating outside of prison to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana on behalf of the NF. In April 2007, Caracheo was given authority over the NF’s drug trafficking operations in the East Bay Area, which included Oakland. Caracheo obtained and distributed pound quantities of methamphetamine from Mario Diaz and others while Diaz lived in Los Banos. The methamphetamine was obtained from Southern California and transported through the Eastern District of California over Interstate 5 into the Salinas area.

Between March 22, 2007 and May 26, 2007, the FBI intercepted Caracheo in multiple drug-related phone calls with Diaz. As part of his plea agreement, Caracheo admitted that the intercepted calls involved him talking to Diaz about pound quantities of methamphetamine and the differing quality of methamphetamine available. Caracheo further admitted that on May 26, 2007, he was planning to get 1½ pounds of methamphetamine from Diaz, but law enforcement officers arrested Diaz.

Store clerk attacked during armed robbery in Elk Grove

2011-07-19T10:38:00.001-07:00

A store clerk was attacked during an armed robbery of an Elk Grove Walgreens store early Friday morning.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, an unknow suspect entered the Walgreens store on the 7200 block of Laguna Boulevard at 1:46 a.m and confronted a cashier with a black handgun and struck the clerk in the head with the weapon. The cashier then opened the cash register and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction. The suspect was described as a black male with a light complexion, thin build, wearing a black shirt, blue jeans, a grey hat with a black bill, and a mask over his face.

Elk Grove Police make arrests in two domestic violence incidents

2011-07-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

Elk Grove Police made arrests in two different domestic violence incidents yesterday that resulted in visible injuries to the victims.

According to police department reports, officers arrested 33-year old Feng Vang of Elk Grove after he allegedly punched his victim in the face several times. Vang was taken into custody and transferred him to the county jail.

In the other incident, officers arrested 22-year old Freddie Lymon of Elk Grove after he broke the victim's cell phone and punched the victim in face, pulled her hair and kicked her several times. The suspect was arrested at his residence and the victim was issued an emergency protective order.

Microwave murderer draws huge audience at morning court appearance

2011-07-14T14:12:00.001-07:00

Suspected microwave murderering mother makes brief court appearance, family reveals suspect's pregnancy

Choua Kue (r), mother of suspect consoled after today's hearing.

Although the court appearance of the suspected microwave murderer Ka Yang lasted less than five minutes earlier this morning, the hearing drew a bevy of media and family to Department 61 of the Sacramento Superior Court.

The June 21 arrest of the 29-year old Sacramento mother has drawn international attention after she allegedly killed her six week old daughter Mirabelle last March by placing the infant in a microwave oven.

Representing Yang is Sacramento criminal defense attorney Linda Parisi who asked for a continuance. No plea was entered and the request was granted with the next hearing scheduled for August 3.

Prior to the proceedings, several member of Vang’s family and dozens members of the local Hmong-American community (Yang is Hmong) crowded the hall outside the courtroom in the county jail in support of the suspect. Among them was Yang’s mother, Choua Kue of Banning, Calif.

Speaking through an interpreter, Kue said her daughter has a long documented medical history of epilepsy and revealed that her daughter is in her first trimester of pregnancy. Kue said her daughter has suffered from epilepsy since she was 15.

“My daughter has been sick for a long time,” Kue said through her interpreter. “I am hurting because they said she is not sick.”

Kue said that her daughter has suffered numerous seizures since her incarceration and expressed concern she is not getting adequate medical and prenatal attention. Kue said her daughter’s epilepsy requires a special diet and is worried her condition may worsen without proper care.

After the hearing Parisi stressed her client has numerous medical and psychological that need to be addressed.

“This is clearly a sad, sad case,” Parisi said. “There are a lot of circumstances around this case.”

Arrest of teens leads to discovery of stolen goods

2011-07-13T23:01:00.001-07:00

Two teens caught stealing flat screen TV, other electronics

Two teenage boys aged 16 and 17 were arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of stealing a flat screen TV.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, officers responded to a call that two individuals were seen walking on Goldly Glen Way with a flat screen TV. Upon arrival, officers determined that a house on the street had been burglarized.

Based on witness information, officers determined that one of the two suspects lived in the neighborhood on Roscomare Ct. The suspect was contacted at his residence and a search of his bedroom led to the discovery of the TV as well as other stolen electronic equipment.

A search of the other teen suspect, a Sacramento resident, led to the discovery of a stolen I-pod. Both suspects were taken into custody and transferred to juvenile hall.

Busy Day For Police, Six Arrests Made in Elk Grove

2011-07-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Thursday was busy day for Elk Grove Police as department officers made six separate arrests.

Among those arrested were 34-year old Sherri Geban of Ell Grove on suspicion of domestic violence. According to police reports, the suspect was involved in verbal argument that became a physical altercation.

Geban reportedly punched the victim in the face resulting in a visible injury. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Also arrested on domestic violence charges was 23-year old Steven Cardenas of Elk Grove. The suspect reportedly threw a coffee cup at the victim who suffered visible injuries.

Police also made two arrests for DUI and two for active warrants

Elk Grove Gas Station Robbed at Gunpoint By Man in Hockey Mask

2011-06-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

An Arco AM/PM gas station store on the city’s west side was robbed early Wednesday morning by an armed gunman wearing a hockey mask.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, the unknown suspect entered the gas station located on the 9500 block of Harbour Point Drive at 2:50 a.m. and confronted an employee with a handgun. The robber demanded the employee place all money from the cash register in a backpack.

The employee complied with the demands and placed an undisclosed amount of cash in the backpack. The suspect then fled the store on foot.

The suspect is described a Caucasian male, 5`7", thin build, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, a white hockey mask, light colored gloves and white tennis shoes.

Airport Traveler Caught with Gun, Arrested

2011-06-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Tam Nguyen

Shortly before 1:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Airport Division responded to a security check point in Terminal B at the Sacramento International Airport. During a screening process, personnel from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) believed that a passenger was carrying what appeared to be a firearm in his personal backpack.

A search of the passenger’s property revealed a loaded handgun located at the bottom of his backpack, along with several rounds of live ammunition in a magazine.

The passenger, identified as 49-year old Tam Nguyen, was arrested without incident. Nguyen was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on charges including unlawful possession of a loaded, concealed firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Nguyen, who is being held on $60,000 bail, is expected to be arraigned later this week.

Microwave Murder Suspect Arraigned

2011-06-23T15:41:00.001-07:00

Ka Vang confers with
her attorney

The Sacramento mother accused of murdering her three-month old daughter made her first court appearance this afternoon in Sacramento Superior Court.

Today 29-year old Ka Yang was arraigned in Department 61 before Judge Marjorie Koller following her arrest on Tuesday. Yang is facing assault and murder charges with special circumstances after she allegedly murdered her daughter Mirabelle Thao-Lo by placing the infant in a microwave oven earlier this year.

During the proceedings Yang gave yes and no answers when asked by Koller if she understood the charges against her. No plea was entered.

Linda Parisi

Yang was assigned attorney Linda Parisi of the Conflict Defenders office.

In comments outside the courtroom Parisi said she has met with her client but did not offer any further insight.

“Clealry there are some psychological issues that will have to be dealt with,” she said.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 14.

Elk Grove Man Arrested Following Death Threat in Domestic Violence Incident

2011-06-22T12:30:00.001-07:00

Police deploy K-9 to apprehend suspect

An Elk Grove man was arrested early Tuesday morning following a domestic violence incident that included a death threat.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, 53-year old Juan Nelson was involved in a verbal argument that resulted in the suspect threatening to kill the victim and her family if she called 911. When the victim attempted to call 911 on her cell phone Nelson took the phone and broke it.

When the victim attempted to call on the land line, the suspect disabled the phone. The victim them fled the residence and called 911 from a neighbor’s house.

When officers arrived, the suspect had fled the house on foot into a large vacant field west of the residence. Officers began searching the field with the assistance of a K-9 unit.

Officers made several announcements to the suspect that the K-9 would be deployed to no avail. Nelson was located in a drainage canal and apprehended by the K-9 unit.

After the suspect was treated for a dog bite at an area hospital, he was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Davis Man, Three Others Sentenced For Defrauding Government Agency

2011-06-22T11:53:00.001-07:00

A federal judge last week sentenced four defendants to prison terms for defrauding a federal agency of millions of dollars in connection with a loan to fund a business project in Estonia, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

Donald Daniels, 46, of Morgan Hill, and Tapani Koivunen, 54, of Davis, were sentenced to two years in prison, and Martin William Washburn, 79, of Morgan Hill, was sentenced to one year in prison and one year of home detention, for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Sergei Shkurkin, 57, of Davis, was sentenced to one year in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. All defendants were ordered to pay $2,054,698 in restitution.

According to the plea agreements and other court documents, the defendants admitted that from 2003 to 2005, they agreed to agreed to participate in a fraudulent scheme to defraud the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”) and to obtain a loan of approximately $9.4 million from OPIC to fund a milling and bakery project in Estonia. OPIC is a United States governmental agency, located in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to encourage U.S.-based companies to invest in overseas business projects.

As part of the defendants’ fraudulent scheme, they submitted documents that contained materially false and fraudulent representations to OPIC, including, among others, that: (1) what was represented to be cash equity in the project was actually a loan from Daniels; (2) the amount spent by the project on equipment was far less than what was reported; and (3) what was to be an arms-length transaction to purchase equipment was in fact a transaction between related parties designed to conceal that the money Daniels had allegedly invested in the project was, in fact, returned to him.

Once the loan was approved, the defendants made the following material misrepresentations and omissions, among others, to obtain the loan disbursements from OPIC: (1) provided to OPIC falsified invoices that contained inflated equipment prices and that concealed the close relationship of the companies involved in the underlying transactions; (2) withheld bank statements from OPIC that would have demonstrated that the cash equity was immediately returned to Daniels; (3) made false assurances to OPIC regarding the progress of the project; and (4) affirmed and reaffirmed the accuracy of the completeness and truthfulness of their disclosures to OPIC. The loan disbursements totaled approximately $7.9 million.

Daniels, Washburn, and Koivunen also admitted in their plea agreements that they agreed to have money transferred by wire from an account located in San Francisco, California, to a bank account located in Estonia, for the purpose of executing the scheme described above.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn H. Patel. For Daniels, Washburn and Koivunen, the sentencing followed a May 2011 guilty plea on two counts of violations of 18 U.S.C. Section 1349, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1956, conspiracy to commit money laundering. Mr. Shkurkin pleaded guilty in May 2011 to one count of a violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 1349, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Christine Y. Wong and Andrew P. Caputo are the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Ponly Tu. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.

Elk Grove Seek Help Locating At-Risk Missing Child

2011-06-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

Gabriel Dominguez

The Elk Grove Police Department is asking for the community’s help in locating an at risk missing person, 11-year-old Gabriel Dominguez, who reportedly ran away from his grandmother’s residence on the 9000 block of Chaff Court at 9:00 a.m. this morning.

Gabriel Dominguez is described as a Hispanic male juvenile, 4’9”, 80 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt with a dragon design, black shorts and black athletic shoes.

Gabriel has only been in the Elk Grove for a few days and is not familiar with the area. Dominguez does not have any health issues.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Gabriel Dominguez is asked to contact the Elk Grove Police Department Dispatch Center at (916) 691-5246.

Ross Store in Elk Grove Robbed By Armed Gunman

2011-06-21T12:35:00.001-07:00

The Ross Store in Elk Grove was robbed by an armed gunman late last night.

According ot Elk Grove Police Department reports, an unknown suspect entered the store located on East Stockton Boulevard at approximately 9:45 p.m. displaying a handgun and demanded employees give him money. The suspect was given an unknown amount of currency and fled the store of foot.

Responding officers were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a Black male adult, 6’0” wearing a red hat, blue sweatshirt and black jeans.

Fatal Elk Grove Vehicle Accident Investigation Continues

2011-06-20T12:54:00.001-07:00

The identity of the victim of the Saturday night's fatal accident on Waterman Road has been released by the Sacramento Coroner's Office. The victim is 16-year old Ryan R. Boyd of Elk Grove.

Boyd was a rear seat passenger in the car that struck a telephone pole.

According to Elk Grove Police Department spokesperson Officer Christopher Trim, the investigation into the cause of the accident is on-going and no arrest have been made in the case.

Elk Grove Teen Attacked, Robbed by Seven Assailants

2011-06-17T11:43:00.001-07:00

An Elk Grove teenager was robbed and attacked late last night as he walked through a baseball field.

According to Elk Grove Police, the 17-year old male victim was walking through a baseball field near the 5400 block of Laguna Park Drive when he was confronted by seven unknown suspects. One of the seven suspects struck the victim in the head with a bottle and fell to the ground.

Once the victim fell, he was kicked and punched by all of the suspects and had his cell phone taken. The victim suffered visible injuries and was taken to an area hospital by his parents.

Responding officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspects. The assailants were described as juvenile Hispanic males.

Elk Grove Police SWAT, K-9 Used To Apprehend Suspect

2011-06-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

The Elk Grove Police Department deployed their SWAT unit and used a K-9 unit to apprehend an Elk Grove man wanted for an active no-bail felony warrant.

According to Elk Grove Police Department reports, officers attempted to arrest 21-year old Brandon Gutierrez on the 8700 block of Corbally early yesterday afternoon. When officers attempted to contact Gutierrez, he reportedly ran toward the back of the residence and refused to exit.

Due to the nature of the warrants for Gutierrez’s arrest warrant for a weapons charge, the SWAT team was called. While the SWAT team was being briefed, an officer who was monitoring the perimeter saw the suspect outside the residence attempting to flee the area.

The suspect did not comply with the officer’s instruction to stop and continued running. In response, a K-9 unit was deployed and Gutierrez was detained.

The suspect was treated for injuries and transported to the county jail.

Scully Turns Up Heat, Says Sac County Supervisors Not Interested in Prosecution

2011-06-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

Sacramento County DA Jan Scully

Triangulating Against Public Defender

In a press release issued this morning that clarified staff reductions announced yesterday, Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully again took aim at the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors while at the same time bringing in the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office budget into the fray.

As part of Sacramento County’s $90 million budget reduction for the new fiscal year, the DA’s office had to absorb $6.9 million in reduced funding compared to the current budget. As a result, Scully announced [and clarified today] that by August 1, 42 employees, including 29 permanent and 13 temporary would be laid off, 13 vacant positions will go unfilled and nine positions being vacated by retirements will not be filled.

Takes aim at Public Defender's Office

“The result – some criminals will not be prosecuted for committing crimes, not because they are not guilty but because prosecution of criminals is not a county priority, Scully said in her statement. “The lack of funding also means that neither victims nor residents of the County will receive the justice they have received and expect from my office.”

Scully went on to point out that since 2009 the DA’s office staff has be reduced by 30 percent going from 484 employees to 345 employees. She noted the reductions includes the loss of 46 prosecutor positions.

The DA seemingly implied that County Supervisors are not interested in public safety by stating that the current budget seeks to return funding at the Sacramento County Public Defenders Office to earlier levels.

“Contrast that with the county’s recent efforts to avoid layoffs in the Public Defender’s Office and return that office’s staffing to the number it had in June 2009,” Scully said. “This comparison demonstrates that public safety is not the county’s number one priority.”

For it s part the Public Defenders Office staffing has gone from 160 in 2008 to its current level of 144. The public defenders office was able to maintain current staffing because it received funding of $2.9 million that in the past had gone to contract defenders.

The county budget justified this shifting of funds from contract defense attorneys to the Public Defenders Office because contract defense attorneys deliver services at a higher cost.

Among units facing reduction in the DA’s office are elimination of the major narcotics, vehicle theft and misdemeanor trial units. Staffing will be reduced in homicides, gangs and hate crimes, domestic violence and career criminal units.

“When criminals know there are no consequences, they are encouraged to keep committing crimes, and arrests have no deterrent effect,” Scully noted. “As I’ve said before and I say again– arrests without prosecution accomplish nothing.”