2001 Case Highlights

On January 11th a 37 year old male suspect pled guilty and was sentenced to ten years state prison for the November 29, 2000 robbery of the Red Bluff Staples store. The suspect was on parole out of the State of Arizona when he committed the robbery.

On January 18th the City of Red Bluff experienced its first blackout. Since first learning about the potential of having a blackout the Red Bluff Police Department prepared itself by having temporary stop signs available to be placed at signal intersections. As soon as the blackout occurred, the Community Service Officers placed the temporary stop signs at the following locations: Main and Walnut, Main and Oak, and Antelope and Gilmore. There were three police officers and two Highway Patrol Officers assisting with traffic control in these areas. Half of Red Bluff's business district went dark just after 11 a.m. The Red Bluff Police Department did not have any advance notice of this blackout and we were very fortunate there were no traffic collisions or injuries reported during the blackout period.

On January 24th the Red Bluff Police Department issued a press release regarding several reports made to our Department about persons attempting to obtain money under false pretenses. One of these scams involves a person identifying himself as a representative of the Canadian Lottery or Canadian Sweepstakes. The person tells the victim that they have won a large amount of money and in order to claim the prize, the victim has to pay taxes on the winnings. They then ask that the victim send money to them electronically through a Western Union type business. In this press release the Red Bluff Police Department strongly cautioned the public from giving out any personal information (such as bank account numbers or credit card information) to anyone over the telephone and to report any suspicious activity to our Department immediately.

On January 26th a jury convicted a 34 year old male suspect for child molestation and continuous molestation over a period of three months. The suspect was convicted by his peers for molesting three children who were under the age of 14 and living in the home with him and his girlfriend.

On January 29th the suspect of a double homicide that occurred on September 8, 2000 at Tops Mini Mart entered his plea of guilty to one count of murder and one count of voluntary manslaughter. He is looking at approximately 78 years before he is eligible for parole.

On January 31st a subject entered Taco Bell displaying a handgun and demanding money. After taking cash from the registers the suspect fled on foot. Officers were unable to locate the suspect that night. In now appears the same suspect has committed similar robberies in Redding and Anderson.

During February Sergeant Nanfito reported a significant number of vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles. Officers have been making a concerted effort to patrol the residential districts late at night.

On February 13th Michael Smith was found dead in his vehicle parked at the O'Nite Park. He was visiting friends the night before. This incident does not appear to be a homicide.

On February 13th Officers Johnston, Ortega, and Beeman conducted a consent search in the Crystal Apartments. Two were taken into custody for being under the influence of a controlled substance. The search led to another location where drug paraphernalia and a gram of methamphetamine were seized.

During March Officers Forsberg and Johnston were commended for their efforts in cleaning up several vandalism and theft cases. The juveniles responsible still had much of the property, including a bicycle and are suspects in other crimes.

On March 7th Officer Mobilio and Officer Graham were dispatched to Vista School on a report of a parent "out of control". Apparently the parent was there to pick up her child, who had been suspended. She reportedly was yelling at the staff and generally causing a disturbance. The parent was placed under arrest. The parent resisted arrest by the Officers, as did her daughter. They were both arrested and booked.

On March 8th we receive a report of a student at Mercy High School making threats against school personnel. An Officer responded and spoke with the principal, who had done a good job of gathering witnesses and statements. After further investigation, it was determined the student should be checked by Mental Health personnel.

On March 13th Officers arrested an Oregon man who had gagged and tied a woman with the intent of committing burglary, sexual battery, and false imprisonment. This was his third strike under the three strikes law and he is currently serving two consecutive 25 year to life sentences.

Red Bluff Union High School experienced several burglaries during the month of April. Three juvenile burglary suspects were caught in a business by the airport and found to also be responsible for the burglaries at the high school. The Officers discovered that one of these juveniles had stolen a master key which was recovered.

On April 3rd a residence on Peach Street reported a vehicle theft. The owner had parked his vehicle in front of his home on the street and saw it being driven away. An off-duty Sheriff Deputy spotted the vehicle at the AM/PM gas station. Three subjects, two males and one female, were seen entering the store and arrested by the Officers. On May 8th both males pled guilty to one count of vehicle theft. They face up to three years in state prison.

On April 5th Detective Sanders was notified of possible counterfeit checks in the area by the Chico Police Department. Detective Sanders contacted the female subject who admitted to cashing the checks but refused to say who had written them. The Detective did obtain a picture of the male suspect. A TRAK flyer was produced by the Crime Analysis Unit and sent to law enforcement agencies in the north state area. On April 12th the Mendocino County Sheriff Department took the male subject into custody and notified Detective Sanders. They had also confiscated the computer used to print the checks and the information it contained helped to clear up cases in several counties and cities.

On April 15th and adult male provided alcohol to a minor female and was arrested.

On April 17 three juveniles set off a warehouse motion alarm. They were discovered with several tools used to create an opening into the business and taken into custody without incident.

On April 19th Officers Graham, and Busekist were involved in a vehicle pursuit of a pickup stolen from Growney Motors. The pursuit traveled south of Red Bluff and reached speeds of 100 mph. After 30 minutes the CHP took over pursuit which lasted another 11 minutes until the driver became disabled. The driver and sole occupant was arrested by CHP without further incident.

On April 26th an adult male his adult sister in the face, breaking her nose. The male was located a short time later and arrested for felony battery and warrants out of Oregon related to violence. Both siblings had been drinking and there were signs of drug use.

On April 28th responded to a deceased person call. The 36-year-old woman appeared to have overdosed and was attended by her upset boyfriend. Chaplain Fortenberry responded to assist and was able to give some comfort to her boyfriend, which was very helpful to the officers in conducting their investigation.

During May Commander Shamblin and Sergeant. Marsh went with several neighbors from the Crittenden and Monroe area. They discussed the ongoing neighborhood dispute over dogs, loud vehicles, parking issues, and name-calling.

State Parole and the California Department of Forestry in May used the City Pistol Range.. This was the first month that our Department began using the Tehama Shooters Association range at Dale's Station. This was a rifle qualification shoot and a shoot-no-shoot pistol training. Most of the Patrol Officers, all of the Detectives, the Chief and the Commanders were qualified with Department issued rifles. This range is a vast improvement over other ranges we have used in the past for rifle qualification.

On May 4 Sergeant Wiley and Officer Magrini checked the O'Nite Park for possible drug activity, two male subjects were contacted for drinking in public and subsequently arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

On May 7 Officers Magrini and Hendrix took three adults into custody for drug related violation. (One person taken into custody was on parole.)

On May 10 Officers Beeman and Forsberg arrested two female adults for being under the influence of a controlled substance. The investigation led to solving a burglary case and the uncovering of a conspiracy to commit murder. Very nice work by these two young officers who were assisted in the follow-up by Detective Sanders.

On May 16th the Annual Peace Officers Memorial service was held at the Assembly of God Church on Luther Road. It was a beautiful service with law enforcement officers and their families attending from local, county, state and federal agencies.

On May 18th a citizen caught a juvenile burglarizing their neighbors apartment on Lakeside Drive. Officer Forsberg interviewed the juvenile who confessed and implicated a friend. Both juveniles were booked into Wetter hall. This is another fine example of citizens watching out for their neighbors and helping to solve crimes.

On May 20 several hundred people attended the Classic Car Show at the City Park. Officers provided extra vehicle and foot patrols for the event. The Mount Shasta Region Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association sponsored the car show and did an admirable job of coordinating traffic and parking.

During May extra patrols were conducted in the area of Jackson and Orange Streets, and also the bridge repair site over Reeds Creek.

A Community Field Office was established at the Fire Training Center on Kimball Road. An officer will be stationed at the center to allow a quicker response time to calls coming from the area south of Reeds Creek. The Red Bluff Fire Department will have an engine stationed at the center during the daytime and early evenings.

During June the owner of the Crystal Apartment was contacted and seemed receptive to a possible Police Satellite Office within the complex.

On June 19 Officers were involved in a stolen vehicle pursuit that ended at Dumosa Drive. Two suspects were taken into custody, one a suspect in a homicide case.

On June 28th the CIRT team arrested a homicide suspect on information provided by the Corning Police Department. The suspect's sister was also arrested for parole violation and harboring a fugitive.

On August 2nd holes were found in a classroom window. It had been shot by a BB gun. On the 7th and the 14th further vandalism occurred in the downtown area.

On August 1st a dog was stolen from an Aloha Street residence. On the 27th gang graffiti was reported on a parked vehicle. More gang graffiti, this time on buildings, was reported on the 25th and the 30th.

On September 1st graffiti was reported on the sidewalk at Lakeside Drive. On September 2nd and 4th bicycles were stolen and vehicles vandalized. On the 7th a vehicle stereo was stolen and trash dumpsters were spray painted. On the 10th five vehicles were broken into, a manhole cover was stolen, mailboxes were damaged, and the Jackson-Aloha pedestrian bridge was damaged. A home burglary on Dumosa Drive happened on the 12th. On the l4th the Lopez-Chittenden Bridge was spray painted. On the 18th two vehicles had their tires slashed, items were stolen including a flag, a window was broken, and graffiti was found on the side of a downtown business. On the 19th an El Cerrito residence was burglarized, and flags were stolen from two separate locations.

On the 25th a local school had a broken window and graffiti in one classroom. On the 27th a vehicle was vandalized, and a grand theft occurred at a pet shop - theft of several large birds.

On Oct 5th residents reported a small BB gun hole in a window. On the 11th a rental home was vandalized. Another home was entered and a semiautomatic rifle stolen. On the 23rd a rifle was stolen. On the 24th a boat and motorhome had items stolen in separate incidents, also juveniles vandalized Gerber Park. On the 26th rims and tires were taken from a vehicle, and a dumpster was stolen.

On November 1st tools were stolen from a vehicle. On the 2nd another vehicle was broken into during the night. On the 5th gang graffiti was found on the bandstands at City Park. On the l2th a kidnapping was attempted. On the 15th a car was stolen. On the 18th a restroom was vandalized with paint balls. On the 18th and 17th residences were burglarized. Vehicles were vandalized on the 22nd, 25th and 28th.

On December 4th a laundromat was vandalized and currency taken, gang graffiti was reported at the back of a business, a bike was stolen and two orchard ladders were taken. On the 5th two vehicles windshields were broken by a brick. On the 18th currency was taken from a Main Street business. On the 22nd a grand theft occurred - currency was taken in a parking lot on Main Street.