POMONA, California ( MyCaliforniaNews.com ) - A Houston man was arrested and charged with human trafficking following an altercation at a Motel 6 in Pomona, according to the Pomona Police Department. The incident occurred on December 17th, leading to the arrest of 39-year-old Nicholas Wells.Officers responded to a disturbance at the motel on S. Garey Ave, where the victim reported being involved in an altercation and provided a description of the suspect and his vehicle. The suspect was intercepted and detained a short distance away. The victim's initial statement indicated she was a victim of human trafficking, prompting the...

EL DORADO, California - A 19-year-old man was arrested for robbery after allegedly stealing sporting equipment and assaulting a store employee, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.Gage LeBaron, of El Dorado, California, was taken into custody by detectives and booked into the County Jail on charges of PC 211 Robbery, with bail set at $50,000. The incident occurred last week when LeBaron reportedly stole items from a local business and attacked the Loss Prevention Officer who confronted him. The Sheriff's Office emphasized the importance of making good choices during the holiday season to avoid legal troubles.

AZUSA, California ( MyCaliforniaNews.com ) - A woman has died following a stabbing incident on North Soldano Avenue, with a suspect now in custody, according to the Azusa Police Department. The incident occurred on December 20, 2024, around 10 p.m.Officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call and found the female victim suffering from stab wounds. She was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel, where she was pronounced dead. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide investigators have taken over the investigation, which remains ongoing with no additional information available at this time.Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-

ROSEVILLE, California - A six-month investigation culminated in a significant auto theft bust in Roseville, resulting in the recovery of four stolen vehicles valued at $300,000. The Sacramento County Auto Theft Task Force, with assistance from the Roseville Police Department and their SWAT team, executed a search and arrest warrant on December 19, 2024, targeting a convicted felon.The operation led to the recovery of a 2018 Dodge Challenger, a 2023 Chevrolet 3500, a 2021 Ram 2500, and a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. Additionally, investigators discovered a firearm, ammunition, and a high-capacity magazine during the search, according to the California Highway Patrol. The suspect was taken into custody and booked into the Sacramento County Jail on charges of auto theft and firearm violations.The California Highway Patrol expressed gratitude to the City of Roseville Police Department for their collaboration and support in the operation. They remain committed to community safety and urge anyone with information related to auto theft to report it to local law enforcement agencies.

SANTA ANA, California ( MyCaliforniaNews.com ) - A 25-year-old man died in a traffic collision involving two vehicles at Harbor Boulevard and Croddy Way on Saturday morning. The Santa Ana Police Department reported the incident occurred at 9:19 a.m.Officers and the Orange County Fire Authority responded to the scene after receiving multiple calls about the collision between a GMC Sierra and a Toyota Camry. The driver of the Camry, Reuben Contreras, age 25, of Santa Ana, was found unresponsive and pronounced deceased at the scene despite life-saving efforts, according to the Santa Ana Police Department. The GMC driver was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.Preliminary investigations suggest the Camry was traveling northbound on Harbor Boulevard and was struck by the southbound GMC while attempting a westbound turn onto Croddy Way. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, but neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be factors, stated the source.The Santa Ana Police Department's Collision Investigations Unit is handling the investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Catlin at (714) 245-8224 or the Santa Ana Police Department's Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.

BAKERSFIELD, California ( MyCaliforniaNews.com ) - A Kern County jury has convicted two gang members of first-degree murder, with both facing life sentences without parole. The case involved the fatal shooting of Raul Dominguez in May 2020.On the evening of May 31, 2020, Bakersfield Police Department officers were alerted by ShotSpotter technology to 10 gunshots near South King Street and East California Avenue, according to the Kern County District Attorney's Office. Officers later discovered Dominguez unconscious with a gunshot wound at the intersection of Wallace and East California. Surveillance footage showed Dominguez being assaulted by a group of 8 to 10 people before attempting to flee. Mark Milner and Parrish Stinson, along with a third person, were seen firing into Dominguez's vehicle, resulting in his death a few blocks away.Deputy District Attorney Cyrus Shahbazian prosecuted the case, and sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2025. District Attorney Zimmer stated, "The sentences these two dangerous individuals face are a direct reflection of the severity of the brutal crime they committed. Gang violence continues to tarnish our community, but it remains a top priority for this office to combat it and uphold justice."

STANTON, California ( MyCaliforniaNews.com ) - Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Friday afternoon in Stanton, leaving one man dead and another injured. Deputies responded to reports of a shooting near Orangewood Avenue and Court Street around 4:19 p.m., according to a press release from the Orange County Sheriff's Department.Upon arrival, deputies found 18-year-old Jonathan Alexis Jimenez, of Stanton, with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle on Court Street. Jimenez was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A second man in the same vehicle was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries related to the shooting.Several individuals were detained at the scene as the Sheriff's Homicide and Gang Enforcement Team continues to investigate the incident. The Sheriff's Department urges anyone with information to contact Sheriff's Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or online at www.ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers .

VALLEJO, California - A former teacher from Vallejo City Unified School District has been arrested on multiple sexual offense charges involving a minor. John Paul Acac, a 46-year-old resident of Vallejo, was taken into custody on December 19, 2024, according to the Vallejo Police Department.Acac faces several felony charges, including lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and intimidating a witness or victim. He is currently held at Solano County Jail with bail set at $585,000. Acac began his tenure with the district in 2005 and resigned on December 9, 2024, having served as a teacher and athletic coach at Vallejo High School and John Finney Education Complex, stated officials from the Vallejo City Unified School District.The charges relate to incidents alleged to have occurred approximately a decade ago. The Vallejo Police Department urges anyone who may have been a victim or knows someone who was a victim of sexual assault involving Acac to contact Officer Valeria Banda or Detective Daniel Callison. For media inquiries, contact Public Information Officer Sgt. Rashad Hollis or VCUSD Director of Communications Celina Baguiao.

SAN JOSE, California - A suspect was apprehended following a domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon incident on Clayton Road, according to the San Jose Police Department.Officers responded to the 10000 block of Clayton Road around 6:00 p.m. after receiving a report of a firearm being discharged. Upon arrival, they discovered the incident and utilized information from the police helicopter, Air 3, to identify a male suspect leaving the scene in a vehicle. Officers located the suspect and conducted a traffic enforcement stop, taking him into custody without further incident.Following the arrest, a search warrant was executed at the suspect's residence, resulting in the seizure of numerous privately manufactured firearms. The collaboration between ground officers and aerial support from Air 3 was instrumental in ensuring the victim's safety and resolving the situation, stated the San Jose Police Department.

SACRAMENTO, California ( MyCaliforniaNews ) - Steven Raymon Waller, a 46-year-old resident of Sacramento, has been sentenced to 39 months in prison for access device fraud. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Tuesday. Between November 2017 and March 2019, Waller used stolen credit card numbers to purchase at least $927,000 worth of gift cards from a national retailer, according to court documents. In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Drozd ordered Waller to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $927,000 in restitution to the retailer. This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, California ( MyCaliforniaNews ) - Ronald Yandell, 62, of Pinole, and William Sylvester, 56, of Norco, have been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for murder in aid of racketeering and other RICO-related crimes. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller, according to United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. Between 2011 and 2016, Aryan Brotherhood members and associates were involved in racketeering activities, including murder, murder conspiracies, and drug trafficking, according to court documents. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Aryan Brotherhood members managed a significant heroin and methamphetamine trafficking operation...

FRESNO, California - A driver in Fresno narrowly avoided injury after falling asleep at the wheel and overturning his vehicle several times, according to the California Highway Patrol. The incident occurred at the intersection of Highway 168 and Four Lanes.The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt correctly, managed to escape without injury, the CHP reported. The department emphasized the importance of staying rested before driving, even on clear and hazard-free roads. "Drive Safe, Drive Alert, Drive Rested. Your safety is worth the extra rest," stated the CHP.

SAN FRANCISCO, California - A vehicle struck two pedestrians and a bicyclist in San Francisco before police located the suspect, resulting in a fatal officer-involved shooting. The incident occurred on December 19, 2024, when officers responded to reports of a vehicle driving onto a sidewalk at high speed, according to the San Francisco Police Department.The vehicle first hit an adult female and a juvenile female at Kearny and Post streets, both of whom were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle then struck a bicyclist at Sutter and Kearny streets before fleeing the scene. Officers were...

LOS ANGELES, California ( MyCaliforniaNews ) - A Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy has agreed to plead guilty to a federal civil rights violation for using excessive force against a transgender man, according to the Justice Department. Joseph Benza III, a 36-year-old from Corona, was charged with one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law. Benza, who was assigned to the Norwalk Station at the time of the incident on February 10, 2023, faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The victim, identified in court documents as "E.B.," suffered a concussion, contusions,...

LOS ANGELES, California ( MyCaliforniaNews ) - A Chino Hills man was arrested by FBI agents on federal charges for allegedly acting as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China. Yaoning "Mike" Sun, 64, is accused of serving as a campaign manager for a Southern California city council candidate elected in 2022. Sun was taken into custody without incident and is expected to appear in United States District Court in Los Angeles, according to the FBI. The criminal complaint, filed Tuesday and unsealed this morning, charges Sun with acting as an illegal agent of a foreign power...

GRANITE BAY, California - A middle school student narrowly avoided an attempted kidnapping at a bus stop Tuesday morning, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. near Douglas Boulevard and Quail Oaks Drive.The student was approached by a transient man who insisted they leave with him. The student ran home and informed their parents, who then contacted authorities. Deputies quickly responded and located the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Joshua Landreth. Although Landreth initially resisted, deputies successfully took him into custody. He is being booked on several charges, including attempted kidnapping, stated the Placer County Sheriff's Office.

HAYWARD, California ( MyCaliforniaNews ) - A suspect has been arrested in connection with a double stabbing that left one person dead and another injured near the 24000 block of Silva Avenue in August, according to a press release from the Hayward Police Department.On August 18, 2024, at approximately 2:06 a.m., officers responded to reports of an altercation that escalated into an assault with a deadly weapon. Upon arrival, they discovered 39-year-old Jose Quevedo, of Hayward, California, suffering from stab wounds. Medical personnel pronounced Quevedo dead at the scene. A second victim, a 37-year-old female resident of Hayward, was also found with stab wounds and was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Her identity is being withheld.Following a comprehensive investigation involving evidence collection and interviews, detectives identified and arrested 34-year-old Randall Stoops, of Hayward, California. Stoops is currently in custody at the Santa Rita County Jail, facing charges of murder and attempted murder.The Hayward Police Department encourages anyone with information related to the homicide to contact Detective Niedenthal at 510-293-7176.

SACRAMENTO, California - A 28-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly beheading his one-year-old son during a domestic disturbance early this morning in North Sacramento County. Deputies responded to the scene after a woman reported that her husband, Andrey Demskiy, had assaulted her and her mother, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.Deputies arrived at the 7500 block of Versailles Way around 4:15 a.m. and found the woman outside the residence. Her mother was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. When deputies attempted to contact Demskiy, he refused to surrender peacefully. They learned that a one-year-old child was...

GARDEN GROVE, California - Garden Grove police officers responded to a car meet near Euclid Street and Trask Avenue, where they encountered numerous vehicles with illegal modifications. Officers observed pedestrians in the roadway and vehicles driving recklessly.Several traffic stops were conducted, resulting in two vehicles being impounded and five drivers cited for emissions violations and referred to the State Referee, according to the Garden Grove Police Department. In total, 30 citations were issued during the operation.

GRANITE BAY, California ( MyCaliforniaNews ) - Deputies in Granite Bay recently conducted a traffic stop that led to the discovery of seven pounds of cocaine, thanks to the assistance of K9 Axel. The suspect was arrested and charged with possession and transportation of narcotics for sales, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office.The incident began when deputies stopped a vehicle for a code violation. K9 Axel was deployed for a narcotics search and alerted deputies to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed vacuum-sealed packages of cocaine, weighing a total of seven pounds, stated the Placer County Sheriff's Office.This arrest highlights the effectiveness of proactive policing in keeping dangerous drugs off the streets, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office.