A federal grand jury returned an indictment this morning charging a Goleta man with soliciting the murder of his former business partner and others, announced Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles; André Birotte Jr., United States Attorney in Los Angeles; and Leroy Baca, Sheriff of Los Angeles County. (more…)

Detectives working the area of Camp Plenty and Fairweather, Canyon Country, conducted a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle on Friday, July 23, 2010.  The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle said his driver’s license was suspended.  During his arrest for driving on a suspended license, detectives found four baggies of Methamphetamine and other evidence of drug sales in the car. (more…)

(From the latimes.com) A 24-year old Palmdale resident has been accused of vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving after a fatal car crash in Santa Clarita early Saturday, according to the California Highway Patrol. Michael Hemperly was at the wheel of a 2001 Porsche about 2:10 a.m. when he lost control of the car and crashed into a tree, the CHP said in a statement. (more…)

Hate crimes reported in California dropped by more than 20 percent last year, continuing a trend that has held for most of the decade. A state Department of Justice report released this week says hate crimes declined by half since they peaked after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. (more…)

(From the AP) Parents have been warned to keep an eye on their children and take extra safety precautions after a 17-year-old Southern California girl was apparently abducted about a block from her school and killed. An autopsy confirmed the identity of Norma Lopez Wednesday, six days after she disappeared and a day after her decomposed body, shirtless and clad in jeans, was found face-down in a grove of trees in the agricultural area on the eastern edge of Moreno Valley. (more…)

(From KHTS) Sheriff’s homicide detectives are wrapping up at the scene of an officer-involved shooting in the Parklane Mobile Home Park on Soledad Canyon Road near Rainbow Glen. According to sheriff’s officials, deputies were called to the scene of a domestic dispute at that location around 3 a.m. Neighbors had reported hearing a couple arguing loudly. (more…)

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are seeking public assistance in locating Arturo Jimenez (pictured here). Jimenez is being sought for questioning only in connection with an incident of assault with a deadly weapon. On Sunday, July 4th, 2010, two suspects went to the home of a rival gang member in the 29000 block of Val Verde Road in Val Verde. The suspects reportedly pointed a gun at the victims and threatened them. (more…)

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich urges Los Angeles County citizens to refrain from using dangerous fireworks when celebrating the Fourth of July holiday.  “July 4th is a celebration of America’s freedom – but with our freedom comes responsibility,” said Supervisor Antonovich. “The holidays should be celebrated safely and responsibly with family and friends.  Fireworks of any type are illegal in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and good judgment and caution should be used in municipalities where they are legal.” (more…)

A call from an alert Canyon Country resident immediately brought deputies to the 18200 block of Sandy Drive in Canyon Country, early this morning. The resident called to report they were watching as at least two suspects broke into a nearby parked car. (more…)

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are continuing their investigation into an incident of lewd acts with a child and false imprisonment that occurred in the 27200 block of Hidaway Avenue, Canyon Country. The suspect in the case, Fancisco Ceron, MH/35, is behind bars and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – Los Angeles Superior Court – San Fernando has filed one felony count of lewd acts with a child and one felony count of false imprisonment against him. (more…)

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station responded to a call regarding a chemical reaction bomb (plastic bottle bomb) which exploded in Stevenson Ranch on Monday night.  Deputies responded to Hood Way after a call for service reported the noise of a small explosion. Upon arrival at the location Sheriff Deputies located the remnants of a 2 liter soda bottle at the side of the residence.  There were no injuries or damage reported; no other information was available.

Patrol deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station continued their aggressive and proactive fight to keep illegal drugs off the streets of Santa Clarita over the weekend. All told, the deputies made twelve drug related arrests from Friday through Sunday sending a clear message to would-be drug users and dealers that illegal drugs will not be tolerated in our community. (more…)

With gang problems increasing and heroin & narcotics use on the upswing, the City of Santa Clarita will be submitting a grant application for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, in the amount of $42,879, and is inviting public comments on the proposal. (more…)

Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s / City of Santa Clarita Community Interaction Team (CIT) conducted a parole compliance check at a residence in the 23900 block of Race Street last night. As deputies surrounded the location they spotted the active parolee near the garage on the property. When the suspect saw the deputy, he immediately attempted to run through the backyard as he discarded the jacket, hat, and sunglasses he was wearing. The deputy called for assistance of other nearby deputies. As the suspect attempted to flee he tripped and fell before getting out of the yard. Additional deputies arrived and the suspect was immediately apprehended. (more…)

(From KHTS) Swastikas and racial epithets were painted on a Saugus resident’s fence Wednesday afternoon, according to sheriff’s officials. Lt. Mark Hershey said that the owners of the Bobwhite Circle home feel they were targeted because they are black. No suspects were seen in the area. Because of the nature of this vandalism, it is being handled as a hate crime. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s station at 661 255-1121.

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s Burglary and Fraud team put an end to a burglary crime spree with the service of two search warrants this morning in Canyon Country. The detectives had been investigating several separate incidents of residential burglary that were reported in and around the area of Isabella Parkway. The criminal activity began in March when one residential burglary was reported, and the incidents increased on a monthly basis with three in April, three in May and seven reported to deputies this month. (more…)

(From the AP) Four California counties are rolling out a new software system that will eventually link domestic violence records across the entire state. Marin, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Orange counties are taking part in a pilot program that will provide a searchable database of scanned restraining orders. Marin last week became the first county to begin using the system. (more…)

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station served a search and arrest warrant this morning in the 25900 block of Moreno Drive in Valencia. The warrant was issued after a deputy from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station reportedly saw a private citizen conducting an apparent traffic enforcement stop using his personal vehicle and flashing red and blue mounted lights. (more…)