Student arrested on gang charges at local college campus: A 19-year-old man has been arrested after police say he made terrorist threats on a local college campus. Authorities say students began dialing 9-1-1 Tuesday morning, to report a fellow student named Jermaine Turner threatened to shoot a woman, and lifted his shirt to reveal a gun in his waistband inside the cafeteria at Bakersfield College. Officers arrived within three minutes, and spotted the suspect while questioning witnesses. A search of Turner's locker turned up a replica airsoft handgun. He has been arrested on numerous charges, including making criminal threats, with gang enhancements.
Above: Photo of replica handgun seized from Jermaine Turner on 3/09/10. Photo courtesy of BPD)
Drug raid in south Bakersfield leads to marijuana seizure: A marijuana farm is discovered in south Bakersfield. Detectives say plants were found growing near a business on South Union Avenue, just south of Ming. The Bakersfield Police Narcotics Division, along with the local DEA and other drug enforcement teams investigated this location for about a month before a warrant was served Tuesday. Detectives believe between 500 and 1,000 marijuana plants, valued between two and four million dollars will be seized. Four men have been detained in the case so far.
Man arrested following apartment fire: A 33-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of arson. Kern County Firefighters say they were called to structure fire on Flower Street in East Bakersfield early Tuesday morning. When they arrived, they found a tree burning into an apartment complex, and residents were evacuating. Only $1,000 worth of damage was done, but investigators took one suspect to jail for possibly starting that fire. No motive has been released, and no injuries were reported.
CPUC to investigate SmartMeters: California energy regulators say they will soon begin investigating new Pacific Gas and Electric meters. The digital SmartMeters send information about a household's gas and electric use to the company through wireless signals. Some customers - many in Kern County - have complained about soaring gas and electric bills after the devices were installed. PG&E says the meters are accurate. The utility commission's announcement comes after state Sen. Dean Florez complained that it had been slow in launching the probe.
Kern Medical Center in the red: County supervisors are concerned about the future of Kern Medical Center after getting an update on its financial picture. According to KMC's chief financial officer, the high cost of providing medical care to county inmates is among the primary reasons for the hospital's financial woes. In addition, the state owes KMC over $16 million, and officials say there is no way of knowing when that bill will be paid.
Sen. Roy Ashburn speaks out following DUI arrest: Republican Senator Roy Ashburn, who has been on leave from the Senate since his DUI arrest last week, told KERN radio host Inga Barks in an exclusive interview Monday morning, "I'm gay." Ashburn's announcement follows reports that he was leaving a gay club before he was arrested March 3rd. The Bakersfield Republican, who has consistently voted against gay-rights measures, said his votes were a reflection of how the majority of voters in his conservative district would have wanted him to vote. The Senator also apologized for the DUI incident, saying “I should not have done that,” referring to being pulled over in a state vehicle. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI around 2 a.m. last Wednesday, near the capital. The exclusive interview, in its entirety, can be heard here.
Two die after SUV plunges into canal: A day of fun at Famoso Raceway ends in tragedy. Authorities say Brian Jones was driving home from the March Meets Saturday evening, when his SUV was broadsided by aPT Cruiser at the intersection of Lerdo Highway and Zerker Road. The impact sent the SUV into a nearby canal. Jones managed to escape with moderate injuries, but his passengers, identified as 36-year-old Robert Junyor and 43-year-old Brentina French, were trapped inside of the submerged car, and died at the scene. Three people in the PT Cruiser were taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries. No word on whether anyone will face charges in connection with the crash.
Man shot in auto parts store parking lot: A shooting in the parking lot of the Auto Zone on Brundage Lane is under investigation. Bakersfield police officers were called to that location Friday afternoon, and found 27-year-old Will Thomas suffering from two gun-shot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he is receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries. The suspect is described as a tall adult black man. He fled the scene in a primer-grey Mustang with a stripe along the bottom. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department.
Argument may have spurred shooting in Shafter: A man is clinging to life following a weekend shooting in Shafter. The incident happened Friday evening at a home on Rodriguez Street. Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of gunfire at the residence and found a 39-year-old man suffering from a single gunshot wound. He was airlifted to Kern Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition. Meanwhile, the victim's neighbor was brought in for questioning after investigators determined the shooting occurred during an altercation between the two men. After providing detectives with a statement, the 23-year-old suspect was released pending further investigation.
Woman raped near Central Bakersfield: A woman is sexually-assaulted near Central Bakersfield. Police say the attack happened Monday, when a woman was walking in the area of 4th and "T" Streets. She told investigators a maroon-colored sedan, possibly a Honda Accord or Nissan Sentra, parked near her. A Hispanic man in his 20's then approached her, and assaulted her before fleeing on foot. Authorities have released a composite sketch of the suspect, which can be seen on our Web site at Kern Radio dot com. Anyone with information is urged to get in contact with Bakersfield Police Detective Luera at (661)326-3921.
Above: Suspect wanted for sexually assaulting a woman on 4th St. near "T" St. 3/01/10. (Digital composite courtesy of BPD)
Taft inmate walks away from camp facility: Another inmate has disappeared from the Taft Federal Correctional Institution. 35-year-old Humberto Martinez, Jr., was discovered missing Sunday night at the minimum-security facility. He was sentenced in 2006 to 188 months for importing drugs. The institution immediately contacted all appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone who knows where Martinez is hiding is asked to call any local law enforcement agency to report him.
Above: Humberto Martinez, Jr., (35) walked away from Taft Correctional Facility on 2/28/10. (Photo courtesy of Taft Correctional Facility)
Man wanted in officer-involved shooting: Bakersfield Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with an officer-involved shooting last weekend. Three people fled on foot after shooting at police as the officers tried to pull them over. Authorities initially arrested three teens thought to be the suspects Saturday night, but the juveniles have since been cleared and released. Jaime Aguirre and Anthony Perez, both 20, have been arrested since the incident, but a third suspected gang member is still at large. 26-year-old Juan Carlos Oregon is wanted for charges including attempted murder of a police officer. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661)327-7111.
Above: Juan Carlos Oregon (26) is wanted in an officer-involved shooting 2/20/10. (Photo courtesy of BPD)
Woman wanted for questioning in murder case: Authorities are offering a reward for information in a homicide nearly two years ago. Bakersfield Police say 29-year-old Tashawn Sharp is wanted for questioning in a shooting that left Dante Delany dead in July of 2008. She has a felony warrant for an incident in which another man was shot dead at a 40th Street apartment complex in August of 2008. A toddler was inadvertently shot in that incident as well. Anyone with information on Sharp's whereabouts is encouraged to seek a $5,000 reward by calling the Secret Witness Hotline at (661)322-4040. Information can also be provided to BPD Detective Martin Heredia at (661)326-3873.
Above: Tashawn Sharp (29) is wanted for questioning in the murder of Dante Delany on 6/25/08. (Photos courtesy of BPD)
Man wanted for punching store clerk in the face: Police are asking you to keep an eye out for a robbery suspect. The incident happened on February 4th at the Marshalls store on Ming Avenue. Authorities say a man picked up a pair of shoes, and exited the store without paying for them. When a store clerk tried to stop him, the suspect punched the employee several times in the face, and then rode away on a black, BMX-style bicycle. Anyone with information on the suspect, pictured below, is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department.
Above: Suspect wanted for robbing Marshalls store on February 4th, 2010. (Photos courtesy of BPD)
Delano man escapes Taft Correctional Facility: A Taft inmate has escaped, and now authorities are asking for help to find him. 33-year-old Omar Zaragoza, of Delano, disappeared from the Taft Correctional Institution's open camp facility Sunday night. He was doing time on drug trafficking and gun-related charges, and was set for release in 2017. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement.
Above: Omar Zaragoza escaped from the Taft Correctional Facility on 2/07/10.
Woman wanted for taking missing wallet: The Bakersfield Police Department is requesting the community's assistance in identifying a suspect wanted for grand theft. On February 2nd a woman accidentally left her wallet at the check stand at Foods Co. on Haley Street. When she returned it was gone. Surveillance video depicts a woman taking the unattended wallet and placing it in her shopping basket, then leaving the store. The suspect appears to be a Hispanic female, 20-30 years old, 5'8" tall, and 120 pounds with brown hair in a pony tail. Anyone with information regarding the identity of this woman is encouraged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111.
Above: Woman suspected of taking a missing wallet from a check stand at Foods Co. on 2/02/10. (Photos courtesy of BPD)
Woman steals sports apparel, tells employees to “get back”: Police are looking for a woman who stole some sports apparel from a store at the East Hills Mall. Authorities say a Black woman in her 40's, standing about five feet tall and weighing about 100 pounds, went to Touchdown Sports Tuesday. Employees saw her take security tags off several items of clothing, and put them in an oversized purse. When she was approached, she told personnel to "get back," saying she had a gun. She was last seen sitting passenger in an older model, grey, primered Chevy S-10.
Above: Woman in blue wanted for stealing from Touchdown Sports at the East Hills Mall on 2/02/10. (Photo courtesy of BPD)
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