Man taken into custody after jumping on top of a car and smashing windshield with a wrench

Soloni Santini Lucio of Coachella Calif.

–San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested 35-year-old Soloni Santini Lucio of Coachella, for potential charges include carjacking, vehicle theft and DUI after an incident occurred in Nipomo Tuesday afternoon.

On Tuesday at approximately 2:08 p.m., the sheriff’s office received reports of a man running in circles in the middle of the road near the intersection of W. Tefft Street and N. Thompson Ave in Nipomo. Witnesses reported the man had a large wrench in his hand. A motorist in the area stopped their vehicle to avoid hitting the man, at which point the man jumped on top of the car and smashed the windshield with the wrench. The driver exited the vehicle, at which point the suspect got in the vehicle and began to drive away, according to the sheriff’s office.

Other drivers in the area used their cars to trap the suspect to keep him from escaping. Deputies arrived on scene and detained the suspect. While being handcuffed the suspect passed out. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he remains in custody. A substance believed to be illegal narcotics was reportedly found on the suspect. Testing is being conducted to determine that substance.

Guadalupe resident arrested for indecent exposure, child endangerment

Eric Manuel Salinas.

–San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested 29-year-old Guadalupe resident Eric Manuel Salinas for child endangerment, annoying or molesting a child, and indecent exposure in a public place.

On Tuesday at approximately 10:25 a.m., a deputy responded to a report of man seen masturbating in his parked car along Avila Beach Drive. Several women reported they were walking on the Bob Jones Trail when one of them noticed a parked car adjacent to them on Avila Beach Drive. The car had its’ passenger side door open. When one of the women walked by she noticed an overweight man with no pants, seated in the driver’s seat, masturbating, according to the sheriff’s office. As the woman yelled out, the man began to drive away from the area with his the passenger door still open. A witness was able to get a partial license plate number of the car.

Minutes later, a deputy spotted the car matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle and license plate number. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and as he approached the vehicle, noticed a young female child, later identified as the suspect’s 2-year-old daughter, seated in the backseat without a child safety seat. After witnesses positively identified the suspect, he was arrested without incident.

Based on the fact that driving away from the area with his car door open and his two-year-old daughter not having a child safety seat could likely cause great bodily injury or death, and the fact she had observed him masturbating, Salinas was booked for child endangerment, annoying or molesting a child, and indecent exposure in a public place, the sheriff’s office reports.

The girl was placed in protective custody and turned over to Child Protective Services.

Kenneth Drake Mohr given seven years in prison

–Judge Jacqueline Duffy sentenced 21-year-old Kenneth Drake Mohr to seven years in state prison. He was convicted by a San Luis Obispo jury on Nov. 12, 2015, for the forcible rape and sexual penetration by a foreign object of a 16-year-old victim occurring in April 2013. He was also found guilty in the same trial of a battery on another female victim.

Since this offense is defined as a violent felony the defendant will be required to serve 85-percent of the seven year prison sentence before becoming eligible to be released on parole.

This case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Julie Antos, a member of our sexual assault prosecution team, was the assigned prosecutor on the case.

Update posted Feb. 2:

Fowler given 350 days in jail, four years probation

Lacey Fowler

–On Wednesday, Jan. 27, Judge Donald G. Umhofer sentenced Lacey Fowler, 30, to 350 days in county jail, following her plea on Jan. 4 of no contest to felony identity theft, also known as unlawful access of computer data.

While an employee of Cuesta College, Fowler stole personal-identifying information of current and former employees. Fowler opened up credit card accounts in their names. Although their credit history was damaged, it appears that no victims have directly lost any money.

Fowler will be placed on probation for four years, and she must participate in residential drug treatment following her release from jail. In a separate case, Ms. Fowler’s husband, Chad Fowler, was also convicted by his plea of no contest to felony possessing methamphetamine for sale, with an admission of a “weight enhancement.”

On March 30, 2016, he will be sentenced to five years in prison.

This case was investigated by the Cuesta College Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Craig Van Rooyen was the assigned prosecutor on this case.

Update posted July 15, 2015:

Lacey Fowler was wanted on warrant, found with meth, now held on $727,000 bail

– Update July 14, 2015: Paso Robles police released additional details today about Monday’s arrest of wanted suspect Lacey Folwer, 29, of Paso Robles. Police responded to the 100 block of Capital Hill on Monday at 12:50 p.m. after receiving a tip that she was in the area. The tipster knew Fowler was wanted by police for her involvement in recent high profile crimes.

The first arriving officer located a vehicle described by the tipster and began looking for Fowler who was attempting to hide near the vehicle. Fowler then attempted to run from the officer and elude arrest, police report. The officer quickly caught up with Fowler and attempted to take her into custody. However, Fowler continued to resist arrest by attempting to strike the officer with an elbow. The officer was able to take Fowler into custody without either person sustaining an injury.

The vehicle Fowler was associated with was towed to the police station and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office obtained a search warrant for the car. As a result of the search officers located .3 grams of suspected methamphetamine in a purse they linked to Fowler.

Cuesta College Officers subsequently transported Fowler to the SLO County Jail where she was booked for her warrants and the following new charges:

• Penal Code 148(a)(1) – Delaying or obstructing an officer.
• Health and Safety Code 11377(a) – Possession of a controlled substance.

Original report:

Former Cuesta employee re-arrested after failing to appear in court

On Monday at about 1 p.m., former Cuesta College Human Resources Analyst Lacey Fowler was arrested by Paso Robles police officers on the 100 block of Capital Hill Road in Paso Robles. She was then transported to the Paso Robles Police Department where she was taken to the San Luis Obispo County Jail by Cuesta College police officers. Fowler was booked for several outstanding warrants and is being held on $727,000 worth of warrants and charges. This second arrest comes after an additional arrest warrant was issued last week after she failed to appear in court to face charges against her.

On May 31, Fowler allegedly downloaded and emailed herself personal information of Cuesta College employees. On June 9, the Cuesta College Human Resources Department discovered the unauthorized download and reported it to the Cuesta College Police Department, which immediately began an investigation with the assistance of the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.

On June 11, Cuesta College alerted all current employees to the information breach via email and mailed letters to the home addresses of all current and former employees affected. The information downloaded included names, social security numbers, date of birth, mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.

On June 17, Fowler was arrested and, on June 18, charged with a felony count of improperly accessing computer data. Fowler posted bail and failed to appear at her arraignment on July 6, prompting an arrest warrant to be issued. After new charges were brought against Fowler on July 9, her bail was set at $375,000. Her husband, Chad Lee Fowler, 34, was arrested last month for having $27,000 in drugs while police issued a search warrant on his wife.

In response to the current investigation into the information breach, Cuesta College took action by recommending a fraud protection vendor to the Cuesta College Board of Trustees at the July 1, 2015 Board meeting. The board unanimously voted to enter into a one-year contract with LifeLock, a leading provider of proactive identity theft protection services. The contract went into effect July 2 and notifications with enrollment instructions were emailed and mailed to all individuals affected who will have sixty days to enroll.

Flamson Middle School in Paso Robles. Photo by Dave Skinner.

Suspect allegedly exposed his genitals and masturbated

–On Tuesday at approximately 8:15 a.m., the Paso Robles Police received a report of two incidents of indecent exposure that had occurred approximately 8-10 minutes earlier in the general area of Flamson Middle School.

Two different sets of school-aged children reported being the victims of indecent exposure as they walked to school. The first victims to report this stated the incident occurred near the intersection of 23rd and Oak Streets and the second victims to report this stated the incident occurred near the intersection of 28th and Spring Streets.

In each of these incidents, the victims reported seeing the suspect in a vehicle with his pants down, exposing his genitals to them while he masturbated. The suspect never spoke to the victims, and never left his vehicle or contacted the victims. The suspect appeared to have been alone in his vehicle when these incidents occurred.

The victims all described the suspect as a white male adult in his 40’s, last seen wearing a black jacket with dark colored pants. This suspect was further described as having a dirty blonde to dark colored mustache and beard. During one of the incidents the suspect was reported to have been wearing a black ski mask.

The suspect was driving a white 4-door passenger car, possibly from the mid-2000’s. This vehicle was further described as having black door handles, a black door stripe on both sides, and a white license plate with a black frame. This vehicle was last seen southbound in the 2100 block of Oak Street.

The victims all reported these incidents to staff at Flamson Middle School, who immediately notified the police. Paso Robles Joint Unified School District personnel worked directly with officers to ensure the safety of the victims and all the children at the school while these incidents were being investigated.

Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

This investigation is ongoing, and the police are seeking assistance from the public. Anyone with information is asked to call police. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 805-549-STOP or submit a Web Tip from the Crime Stoppers website at http://www.slotips.org. You can also submit a “TEXT TIP” by texting “slotips” and your message to CRIMES (or 274637). You do not have to give your name.

Alex Alejandro Lopez

–On Monday at approximately 10:34 a.m. the Paso Robles Police Department received a call from an adult female victim, who advised that she had just been assaulted by her boyfriend, according to a police report.

Officers were dispatched and met with the victim who reported that she and her boyfriend, 24-year-old Alex Alejandro Lopez, were sitting in her vehicle outside of his parents’ home on the 1300 block of Oleander in Paso Robles.

They got into a verbal argument about returning to their home in Red Bluff, CA. During the argument, Lopez punched the victim in the jaw with a closed fist, the report says. The victim had visible injuries consistent with being struck in the jaw. Lopez then got out of the vehicle and attempted to disable the vehicle by removing items from the engine compartment, the report says.

The victim was able to start the vehicle and drive to a safe area and call the police. The victim reported hearing a gunshot coming from the area after she had left and told officers that Lopez had a shotgun at the residence.

She also reported that approximately one week earlier Lopez had loaded the shotgun and pointed it at her during another argument and pulled the trigger but the weapon did not fire.

Police officers established a perimeter around the residence and observed Lopez walking away a short time later. He was taken into custody without incident. Lopez was unarmed when he was arrested.

Officers obtained permission to search the residence and located a 12-gauge shotgun in the residence and seized it as evidence. There was no evidence found that Lopez had fired the weapon.

Lopez was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, inflicting corporal injury to a spouse, a felony, and terrorist threats, a felony.

The victim was treated at the scene for her injuries and released.

November recorded 89 burglaries, whereas January had 17

–Last week, the Paso Robles Police Department reported that since November of 2015, reported burglaries are declining.

In November the police investigated 89 burglary reports. In December that number declined to 31 burglary reports. By January the police has investigated 17 burglaries.

The police remind the community to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods.

Car alarm caused concerned citizen to call police

–Paso Robles Police officers arrested 26-year-old Clyde Cody Roberts and 29-year-old Olivia Page Cook for multiple misdemeanor charges and probation violation after they fled the scene of a traffic stop early Wednesday morning.

Clyde Cody Roberts and Olivia Paige Cook.

On Wednesday at approximately 3:40 a.m., a resident in the 900 block of St. Ann Drive was awoken by a car alarm and checked outside to see why the alarm had activated. This citizen saw a vehicle leaving the immediate area and promptly called the Paso Robles Police Department and provided a description of the vehicle along with a partial license plate. Patrol units quickly located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. As the vehicle pulled over, the passenger immediately fled the scene. The driver, 29-year-old Paso Robles resident Olivia Cook was contacted and ultimately arrested for several misdemeanor charges and a probation violation.

Patrol units in the area were able to locate the passenger, identified as 26-year-old Templeton resident Clyde Cody Roberts. Roberts was identified as the passenger who fled the vehicle and was subsequently arrested for several misdemeanor charges and a probation violation. Clyde Roberts and Olivia Cook were both transported and booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail and charged with the following misdemeanor charges:

• Clyde Cody Roberts (02-01-90)- Petty theft, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a narcotic, under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, and a probation violation.

• Olivia Paige Cook (07-07-86)- Petty theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a probation violation.

–On Friday, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Gang Task Force, San Luis Obispo County Probation Department and California State Parole, conducted probation and parole checks in northern San Luis Obispo County. Units on the ground were assisted by CHP air operations aircraft. The following is a list of people arrested and their charges:

Note: F-Felony, M-Misdemeanor

Jorge William Cabrera

1. Jorge William Cabrera, 25, Shandon, violation of probation-F, possession of a controlled substance-F, obstructing a peace officer-M, possession of nunchucks-M.

Rodrigo Contrerascuarao.

2. Rodrigo Contrerascuarao, 24, Shandon, possession of drug paraphernalia-M.

Holly Lynn Duncan

3. Holly Lynn Duncan, 36, Shandon, violation of probation-M, possession of opium pipe-M.

Annelise Isabel Grassotti

4. Annelise Isabel Grassotti, 33, Shandon, possession of a controlled substance-M, possession of a narcotic controlled substance-M, 2 counts of possessing drug paraphernalia-M.

Wendy Millan

5. Wendy Millan, 28, San Miguel, accessory-F.

6. Daniel Trejo, 30, San Miguel, burglary-F, theft of personal property-M.

Alyssa Ann Pummill

7. Alyssa Ann Pummill, 25, Templeton carrying a dirk or dagger-M, theft of personal property-M.

Alexander Barrera

8. Alexander Barrera, 20, Shandon, violation of probation-F, violation of probation-M, failure to appear-M.

Anthony Barrera

9. Anthony Barrera, 27, Shandon, violation of probation- M, issuance of warrant for violation of promise to appear-M.

Richard Anthony Rodriguez, 30, of Nipomo.

Suspect is Hispanic male, 5-foot, 9-inches tall, weighing 205 pounds

Update Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.:

A suspect in an attempted murder is still wanted after authorities couldn’t find him at a Paso Robles motel. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s SWAT team surrounded the motel early Friday morning and most of the day, believing that Richard Anthony Rodriguez, 30, of Nipomo, was hiding in a motel room.

After authorities had tried repeatedly to contact the suspect with a loud speaker, members of the Special Enforcement Detail team breached the door to the suspect’s room. A motorized robot was sent in to search the room and the adjoining bathroom. The suspect was not located. It’s believed at this time, the suspect left that location prior to our arrival on scene, according Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla.

The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to follow up on tips and leads about the suspect’s whereabouts. It is believed at this time that Rodriguez is still in the county, Cipolla says. “We are asking for the public’s help in trying to locate him.”

Rodriguez is described as an Hispanic male, 5′ 9″ tall and weighing 205 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair.

“If he is located, we ask that you don’t try to contact him as he is considered armed and dangerous,” Cipolla says. Anyone with information about the suspect involved, is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 781-4550, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 549-STOP (549-7867). You can also text your tip to Crime Stoppers by texting “SLOTIPS plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) or submit your tip through the website SLOTIPS.org.

SWAT team members gather outside of Motel 6 in Paso Robles. Photo by DuPree Dial.

Original report Feb. 19, 11 a.m.:

Man barricaded in Paso Robles motel, authorities say

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s officials have a Paso Robles motel surrounded as they wait out an attempted murder suspect believed to be holed up inside.

So far, authorities have been unable to make contact with the suspect, according to reports. Authorities were using a loud speaker to try and communicate with the suspect.

Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla says the incident began at 4 a.m. today when detectives discovered the suspect, Richard Anthony Rodriguez, 30, of Nipomo, was staying at Motel 6 on the 1100 block of Black Oak Drive near McDonald’s and Carl’s Jr. restaurants.

Authorities had been looking for Rodriguez since he allegedly shot at his ex-girlfriend in her car earlier this week in Nipomo, Cipolla says. She was not injured. A “be on the lookout” alert was sent to law enforcement early this morning and Paso Robles police reported the suspect’s vehicle was located at the motel. Authorities do not know if the suspect is armed, Cipolla says.

At 6 a.m. today, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies along with a SWAT team and Paso Robles Police responded to the motel, evacuated guests and cordoned off the streets.

Staff member DuPree Dial contributed to this report.

The patient, who was identified as 36-year-old Henry Pellouchoud Scholten, was arrested on suspicion of assault resulting in great bodily injury, battery and elder abuse and booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail.

Three additional staff members suffered minor injuries as well, reports say

–A male psychiatric technician at Atascadero State Hospital is in intensive care after being attached by a patient on Wednesday, according to reports.

The attack happened in a hallway after 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. The incident remains under investigation, but the patient, who was identified as 36-year-old Henry Pellouchoud Scholten, was arrested on suspicion of assault resulting in great bodily injury, battery and elder abuse and booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail, reports say. Three additional staff members reportedly suffered minor injuries while responding to the attack.

No further details are available at this time.

Nicole Missamore was arrested in the Food 4 Less parking lot in Atascadero.

–Nicole Missamore, a 33-year-old Atascadero woman, has been arrested for DUI charges, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP was dispatched a to a call of a vehicle roll over traffic collision this morning at approximately 6:14 a.m. Witnesses said the vehicle, a 1998 GMC Jimmy, was driving northbound on US-101 near Morro Road near Atascadero when it rolled over and came to rest on its wheels. Witnesses contacted the driver, Missamore, to check on her welfare. Missamore told them she was fine, and she drove away from the scene prior to CHP arriving on scene.

Officers arrived on scene and began checking the area for the vehicle. Officers found the vehicle parked behind a dumpster at 8360 El Camino Real in the Food4Less parking lot in Atascadero. As the investigating officer conducted his traffic collision investigation, he reportedly observed signs and symptoms of impairment, and also conducted a DUI investigation. The investigating officer determined that Missamore was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Missamore was placed under arrest for DUI. She was then transported to Twin Cities Hospital where she was treated for very minor injuries. Missamore is en route to, and will be booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail, according to CHP.

No further information is available at this time.

–A parole check in South County conducted on Thursday by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff in conjunction with the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department, California State Parole, California Department of Corrections/Investigative Unit, Grover Beach Police Department, San Luis Obispo County Auto Theft Task Force, San Luis Obispo County Code Enforcement, and San Luis Obispo County Social Services resulted in 17 arrests.

The following is a list of people arrested and their charges:

Albert Santiago Palacios, 48, Nipomo.

1. Albert Santiago Palacios: violations of post-release community supervision

Israel Rey De los santos, 34, Nipomo.

2. Israel Rey De los santos: probation violation, inflict corporal injury to a spouse/cohabitant-F, Vandalism-M

Karl James Weichinger Jr., 55, Nipomo.

3. Karl James Weichinger Jr.: probation violation

Samuel Guadalupe Leos, 43, Oceano.

4. Samuel Guadalupe Leos: parole violation, possession of a controlled substance-M

John Charles Rodrigues, 52, Oceano.

5. John Charles Rodrigues: parole violation

Shannon Doyle Jeffreys, 46, Oceano.

6. Shannon Doyle Jeffreys: possession of property with serial number removed-M

Tyler Mitchell Andreson, 24, Oceano.

7. Tyler Mitchell Andreson: probation violation, possession of a controlled substance-M

Victor Roland Johnson, 55, Oceano.

8. Victor Roland Johnson: probation violation, possession of a controlled substance-M

Tyler Franklin Marcus Hilton, 26, Arroyo Grande.

9. Tyler Franklin Marcus Hilton: probation violation

Jerry Lee White, 40, Arroyo Grande.

10. Jerry Lee White: probation violation, receiving stolen property-F, violation of a protective order-M

Brendan Michael O’Hara, 31, Nipomo.

11. Brendan Michael O’Hara: parole violation

Rusty Russell Reynoso, 37, Nipomo.

12. Rusty Russell Reynoso: probation violation, two warrants for driving with suspended license-M

David James Barnard, 31, Grover Beach.

13. David James Barnard: probation violation

Anthony Joseph Gallea-Katz, 36, Arroyo Grande.

14. Anthony Joseph Gallea-Katz: possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance-F, possession of controlled substance-M

Kristine Bajamunde Gallea-Katz, 39, Grover Beach.

15. Kristine Bajamunde Gallea-Katz: possession of controlled substance-M, possession of drug paraphernalia-M

Christopher James Hislop, 26, San Luis Obispo.

16. Christopher James Hislop: cite for possession of controlled substance-M, cite for possession of drug paraphernalia-M

Cindy Lou Woodall, 54, Grover Beach.

17. Cindy Lou Woodall: probation violation

Note: F-Felony, M-Misdemeanor

A San Luis Obispo County Jury today found Oscar Higueros, Jr., 40, a former volunteer fire fighter in Cayucos, guilty of human trafficking of a minor by using force or fear and guilty of 24 additional crimes that include forcible rape, sodomy, and oral copulation against the same under age victim.

Oscar Higueros

Deputy District Attorney Greg Devitt said, “I am thankful for all the hard work this jury did to bring this case to closure. These verdicts bring justice for the brave young woman who was the victim in this horrific case.” After the verdicts were delivered, District Attorney Dan Dow said, “These verdicts send a very clear message to anyone in, or passing through our county, that we will vigorously prosecute anyone who exploits children or any other human being in San Luis Obispo County.”

Higueros faces a maximum state prison term of 183 years and 8 months to life. Human trafficking of a minor by using force or fear requires a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years-to-life in state prison. Additionally, the law requires many of the other sex crimes to be served consecutive to the other crimes. “The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and our entire prosecution team worked together in an amazing way to uncover and investigate this horrific crime. I am very proud of every member of our team that contributed to bring Oscar Higueros to justice,” said Dow.

The trial was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Greg Devitt who also prosecuted the recent Richard Scott Brooks human trafficking trial. Higueros is held without bail and will be sentenced in Department 4 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court at 1:30 p.m., May 9, 2015.

Original report Aug. 25, 2014

Cayucos fire captain arrested for child abuse, rape

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office received a report of child abuse involving a minor under the age of 18. Deputies and detectives initiated an investigation into the incident which had occurred the month prior.

A suspect was identified as 38-year-old Oscar Higueros, Jr., of Cayucos. Higueros is a paid volunteer firefighter, a captain, with the Cayucos Fire Department. Last Thursday, a search warrant was served at his residence on Pacific Ave. in Cayucos where the alleged incident took place.

Higueros was arrested and booked into County Jail on three counts of rape by force or fear and sodomy involving a minor. Because the investigation is active and on-going, no further details are being released at this time, according to sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cippola.

Higueros is being held in jail in lieu of a $1 million bond.

Bret Landen before Judge Jackie Duffy on Jan. 25, 2016. Photo by Heather Young.

Next pretrial meeting is set for March 16

–Bret Landen, 18, returned to court Monday morning for his third arraignment date before Judge Jackie Duffy. He pleaded not guilty to 30 felony counts filed against him in December 2015. The charges include 27 counts of making threats to commit a crime of violence, two counts of second-degree commercial burglary and one count of threatening to use a weapon on mass destruction.

Though Landon was ordered to surrender his passport and was prohibited from leaving the state, Duffy approved Landen to travel to Florida for two weeks in early April with his mother, according to a report in The Tribune. Duffy stipulated that Landen must remain in his mother’s company at all times.

Additionally, there is a temporary restraining order in place that orders Landen to stay at least 100 yards from any school, except for Chalk Mountain Community School. He also is not allowed to make contact with 27 named teachers and administrators at San Gabriel Road Elementary School. According to the report, Duffy is prohibited from possessing any weapons.

He remains released on bail, which is family posted at $500,000. The next pretrial meeting will be held on March 16 in San Luis Obispo Superior Court in downtown San Luis Obispo.

Complete report on the case from Jan. 26, 2016:

Bret Stephen Landen posted bail and remains out of custody

–Bret Landen, an 18-year-old who will stand trial for charges of making threats against San Gabriel Elementary School on Sept. 11 of 2015, went before San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Jackie Duffy Monday morning for further arraignment.

Landen addressed the judge along with his attorney, Jeffrey Stein. Stein requested that the arraignment be continued until March to give the attorney, who’s newly representing Landen, time to look at a way to address the case.

“In recognition of how much distress this incident has caused the community, [we want] to move forward sensitively,” Stein said. “We’re looking at ways to contribute positively in regards to the case.”

Opposing counsel agreed to the continuance and Duffy continued the arraignment until Tuesday, March 8.

Landen posted a $500,000 bail at the end of 2015, and will remain out of custody for the time being.

Complete report on the case from Dec. 16, 2015:

Suspect in threats against school identified as Bret Stephen Landen

Bret Stephen Landen. Photo from Youtube/KSBY.

Judge rules suspect charged with San Gabriel school incident be tried as an adult

–San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Lee Cunningham released the name of a teen being charged with making threats against San Gabriel Elementary School on Sept. 11 that forced the school to close for two weeks.

On Tuesday, Cunningham reports that Judge Jackie Duffy ruled that the suspect, 18-year-old Bret Stephen Landen, be tried as an adult. Landen was 17-years-old at the time of the alleged crimes.

Landen, appeared to have been conducting a sort of, “game” with the teachers, much like the movie “Saw.” Police said the  suspect’s actions appear to have been designed to evoke fear and panic. There were initially two charges being pressed against the suspect, both related to threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction. He is now facing as many as 25 counts.

The suspect appeared to have been conducting a sort of, “game” with the teachers, much like the movie Saw, and the suspects actions appear to have been designed to evoke fear and panic, according to Atascadero Police Chief Jerel Haley.

The case against Landen went before juvenile court Tuesday for a “fitness hearing” to determine if he is fit to be tried in juvenile court or adult court. “The case started out in juvenile court, because the person charged with it was just shy of his 18th birthday,” Cunningham said.

In order to determine which court the defendant should be tried in, the judge considered the following five criteria:

1. The degree of criminal sophistication exhibited
2. Whether the minor can be rehabilitated before juvenile court jurisdiction expires
3. The minor’s previous delinquency history
4. The success of previous attempts by the juvenile court to rehabilitate the minor
5. The circumstances and gravity of the offenses alleged to have been committed by the minor

Cunningham said that it is anticipated that felony charges against Landen are expected to be filed on Wednesday and include 25 counts of criminal threats, two counts of threat to use a weapon of mass destruction, two counts of attempted criminal threats, and two counts of second-degree burglary.

Brooks is set for arraignment in SLO Superior Court in Department 4 with Duffy on Friday, Dec. 18. His bail has been set at $500,000 and he is currently in juvenile hall custody.

Atascadero Unified School District Superintendent Tom Butler, Chief investigator for the District attorney’s office Bill Hanley, Atascadero Chief of Police Jerel Haley, District Attorney Dan Dow and FBI Agent Brian Sullivan.

At approximately 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 11, police received a report of a crime committed at San Gabriel Elementary. Between the evening of Sept. 10 and the morning of Sept. 11, chains and padlocks were placed on the exterior gates of the campus, threatening letters were placed outside of each classroom and a suspicious object full of liquid was found on the playground. The object was a candle jar with the wax removed and a different liquid put in, and was zip-tied to a fence. The accompanying note identified the liquid as “cyanide.” After testing, the liquid was found to be sodium ferrocyanide, a common chemical used in photo processing, mixed with a mildly acidic liquid that was not strong enough to emit cyanide gas; it would only be harmful if ingested, police said.

The school was closed immediately and classes relocated to other campuses in Atascadero for two weeks.

According to Police Chief Jerel Haley at a press conference in October, Landen was believed to have acted alone.

Complete report on the case from Oct. 15, 2015:

More details released in San Gabriel School incident including content of threatening letter, objects found on playground

– A press conference was held today in Atascadero regarding the arrest of a 17-year-old local high school student who is a suspect in the investigation surrounding the San Gabriel School incident that happened on Sept. 11. Threats and objects found on the playground forced the school to close for over a week.

According to Police Chief Jerel Haley, the suspect was believed to have acted alone. He is currently in custody and is being detained at the County’s Juvenile Detention Facility.

More details were released regarding the incident, such as the contents of the letters that were placed at the doorways of each teacher’s classrooms, pictured below. The suspect appeared to have been conducting a sort of, “game” with the teachers, much like the movie Saw, and the suspects actions appear to have been designed to evoke fear and panic, according to Haley.

The contents of the suspicious object found on the playground were also described in more detail. The object was a candle jar, with the wax removed and a different liquid put in, and it was zip-tied to a fence. There was a note found nearby by the suspect identifying the liquid as “cyanide.” The liquid put it was found to be sodium ferrocyanide, a common chemical used in photo processing, mixed with a mildly acidic liquid that was not strong enough to emit cyanide gas, and would only be harmful if ingested.

It is unclear now as to whether the suspect will be tried as an adult of as a juvenile. The search warrants issued proved to be successful, and the investigation is still ongoing. Officers found items that connected the suspect to the crime in the search. The investigation was able to nail down a suspect by tracking purchase histories of items used to commit the crime.

The suspicious object found on the playground.

There are currently two charges being pressed against the suspect. Both charges are related to use of a “facsimile” or replica, weapon of mass destruction. Haley reiterated the fact that no additional hazardous materials were found on the campus, and at no time was there believed to be a bomb on the school campus.

Haley said that even with 25 plus years on the force, “this is the most complex case I’ve seen.” He said that he was very proud of all of the officers who worked on the case in a timely and efficient manner, and praised the school and all involved for their swift and effective response to the evacuation of the school.

Original story posted Oct. 14, 12:30 p.m.

Search warrants served at juvenile suspect’s home

– Earlier today, the Atascadero Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigations, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office and San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department participated jointly in the service of search warrants related to the Sept. 11 incident at San Gabriel School in Atascadero, according to a report from the school.

This has been an active ongoing investigation since the incident was first discovered. The investigation has been a joint effort between the Atascadero Police Department, FBI and SLO County District Attorney’s Investigators. During the course of the investigation a juvenile suspect was identified. Evidence uncovered as part of this investigation corroborated the involvement of the juvenile suspect in the commission of the crime. The juvenile suspect was contacted and interviewed on this date prior to the service of the search warrants.

On the morning of Sept. 11 at approximately 7:45 a.m., police received a report of a crime committed at San Gabriel Elementary. It appears that on the night of Sept. 10 or the early morning of Sept. 11 there were chains and padlocks placed on the exterior gates of the campus by an unknown suspect, as well as threatening letters placed outside of each classroom. A suspicious object full of liquid was also found on the playground.

The Atascadero Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigations and San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office will hold a press briefing today at 3 p.m. at the Atascadero Police Department, located at 5505 El Camino Real, to answer questions related to the investigation and provide further details about this case. Updates will be posted.

Monterey County District Attorney Dean D. Flippo announced recently that former King City Sgt. Bobby Carrillo, 46, of King City pled no contest to two counts of bribery and one count of perjury in connection with a towing kickback scheme perpetrated by abusing his authority as a police officer. His trial was scheduled to begin on March 21, 2016.

Former Sgt. Bobby Car

In 2013, members of the public complained that King City police were confiscating their cars by towing and selling them. The district attorney’s office investigated and discovered widespread corruption within the King City Police Department, including an illegal bribery scheme headed by then Sgt. Carrillo. Evidence of other criminal offenses was also uncovered.

Carrillo and Brian Miller, owner of Miller’s Towing, agreed that for every 10 cars ordered impounded by Carrillo that went to Miller’s Towing yard, Carrillo would in return receive a bribe of one car of his choosing free of charge.

Records showed that Miller’s Towing received over 87% of all cars towed, which violated the police department’s rotational towing policy requiring equal distribution among four towing companies. Many persons whose cars were towed and confiscated complained that Carrillo stopped them without probable cause. Virtually all persons whose cars Carrillo towed were low-income Hispanics unable to retrieve their cars from Miller’s Towing because the towing and daily storage fees became too high, Miller’s Towing sold the cars unlawfully before the deadline to remit fees, or their cars were transferred to Carrillo.

During the course of this scheme, Carrillo impounded over 200 motor vehicles. During the same time, the two other sergeants impounded less than a dozen. In return, Brian Miller conveyed vehicles to Carrillo. One officer who was scheduled to testify at trial said that Carrillo was so active in towing cars, that “on many nights Main Street was lit up like a Christmas tree.”

Carrillo committed perjury in completing DMV transfers of ownership by claiming he paid money for cars that in fact he received for free from Miller. He did this to cover up his bribery scheme with Miller.

District Attorney Dean Flippo stated “Bobby Carrillo abused his police powers for personal profit by targeting vulnerable members of the community who could not afford to regain their cars and who were unlikely to complain to authorities.”

Carrillo both bribed a tow operator by promising a bounty of cars he otherwise would never have towed, and received a bribe of free cars from the tow operator as payment.

Carrillo will be sentenced on April 29, 2016 by Judge Julie R. Culver, and faces a maximum sentence of up to two years in state prison.

In March, 2015, Brian Miller pled guilty to bribery and grand theft, both felonies, and is scheduled for setting of sentencing on April 4, 2016.

District Attorney Investigators John Ferreria and Roy Diaz led the investigation, with help from Kenneth Norton of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Carrillo and five other officers have pled to other charges, been sentenced, and were fired or resigned from the King City Police Department.

Source: Monterey County District Attorney

KRKC News Radio reports: A Paso Robles man was recently sentenced to serve 100 years in prison for killing a Greenfield man. Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo said this week that Arnulfo Pineda, who was a founding member of the Mexican Klan Locos criminal street gang of King City, was sentenced to 100 years-to-life in prison for his role in the gang murder Crispin Guajardo of Greenfield.

Flippo said that in February 2014 Pineda and two other unidentified gang members gunned down Guajardo as he stood in front of the Paradiso Night Club in Greenfield. Police said that the three shot Guajardo ten times.

Original report Mar. 19, 2014

Local man arrested for murder in Greenfield

Arnulfo Pineda

A local man is in custody for a homicide last month in Greenfield, CA. Police arrested Arnulfo Pineda, 35, of Paso Robles. He is charged with charged with murder plus firearm charges and gang enhancements. According to reports, Pineda is a known King City gang member and that his friends and relatives have a violent history.

On Sunday, February 23, 2014, at about 8:16 p.m. Greenfield Police Officer Corey Smith was behind 102 El Camino Real in Greenfield and heard gunshots coming from the front of the address. Officer Smith drove in the direction of the front of the business and saw a suspect running and carrying a handgun.

The officer pursued the suspect on foot and saw the suspect drop the gun. The suspect then stopped running and surrendered to the officer. Other officers responding to the scene found a male adult victim lying on the ground between 102 and 104 El Camino Real with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical response was requested and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Greenfield Police Department received assistance at the scene from officers from California Highway Patrol, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, King City Police Department and California Department of Corrections.

Last week San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies helped Greenfield police serve a search warrant at a residence in Heritage Ranch, in connection with the murder investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information related to this case is asked to call Detective Rey Medeles at (831) 760‐6277 or contact WeTip Anonymous hotline (800) 782‐7463.

Jason Michael Atkins arrested

–Sheriff’s Deputies were assisting the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Fugitive Apprehension Team in searching for wanted parolee Jason Michael Atkins. Deputies spotted Atkins as a passenger of a vehicle that was driving in San Luis Obispo near the area of Walnut and Peach Streets.

When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Atkins fled the vehicle and the vehicle took off. A search for Atkins was begun which included deputies, a Sheriff’s K9, San Luis Obispo Police Officers, CHP and Cal Fire. A short time later, Atkins was located hiding in the garage of a residence on Peach Street. He was taken into custody without incident.

–The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office asks: Have you seen this man?

Mark Jeddell Cater.

Mark Jeddell Cater, 45, is wanted for two felony charges of failing to register as a sex offender. Cater is Black, 5′ 10″ tall, weighs 200 pounds and was last seen in Madera.

If you have information on his whereabouts please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 781-4550.

Spirit Gas Station in Paso Robles. Photo from Google Maps.

Spirit gas station robbed at gunpoint Friday night

–Paso Robles Police are investigating a robbery in which two suspects held a female cashier at gun point at 9:30 p.m. Friday night at Spirit gas station at the corner of 17th Street and Spring Street, according to police.

The two suspects were described as two Hispanic or white male adults, approximately 5’-03” tall and possibly 135-145 lbs. One suspect wore a bulky camouflage jacket, and the other wore a dark color large jacket. Both wore ski-masks with their faces entirely covered, and both wore gloves. One suspect pointed a rifle or shotgun at the clerk while the other carried a backpack and removed money from the cash register. The suspects entered the store and completed the robbery in just over one minute. The female clerk was not harmed, but was very frightened, police say.

The exact amount of loss has not yet been determined but is estimated at between $400-$600. The suspects were last seen running away westbound on 17th Street toward Oak Street. Paso Robles Police Department officers, including a K-9 unit, arrived on scene within three minutes of the time of call. A K-9 track of the suspects was conducted with no suspects located.

No further information is available at this time. Updates will be posted.

To view the surveillance video, click here.