Sacto 9-1-1: Folsom officer is sole suspect in cooking-oil theft

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Sacto 9-1-1

The Sacramento Bee's Crime blog is a comprehensive report of crime news, trends and information for your community and beyond.

October 9, 2008

Folsom officer is sole suspect in cooking-oil theft

From David Richie:

Highly regarded Folsom police sergeant John Landahl is the only Folsom police officer under scrutiny in an investigation involving the theft of used cooking oil from the Sacramento Rendering Company, Folsom officials said Thursday.

Landahl was arrested by Folsom police on Sept. 30 and released with order to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge of violating California Vehicle Code Sections 2474 and 2470 involving the theft and transportation of inedible cooking grease.

Folsom officials decided to release information about the charges against Landahl Wednesday after getting media inquiries.

Because he was accused of a misdemeanor, Landahl was not jailed. He is scheduled to go to court on Oct. 17. Landahl has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, said Officer Michelle Beattie, police department spokeswoman.

The value of the oil Landahl is suspected of stealing is estimated at about $350. In their release, Folsom officials noted that it can be used to make bio-diesel fuel but they provided no further information about what Landahl may have been doing with the stuff.

Landahl is a 22-year veteran of the Folsom Police Department. He has participated as an award-winning member of the department's special weapons and tactics team and he is considered one of the most accurate police marksmen in the United States.

According to Bee file reports, Landahl and his partner, Jon Kracher, took second place in the Sniper Craft 2006 Pacific Challenge, a three-day competition held in San Diego.

In the news release issued Wednesday, Folsom officials stated that the alleged cooking oil theft occurred in March but was not reported to the police department until June. Landahl turned himself in to police investigators on Sept. 30.

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Q: What happennded with the case involving Nick "Nate" Morelos in 1991, and how long was he sentenced?

A: As reported in The Bee, Nick Nathanial "Nate" Morelos in March 1993 was sentenced to 15-years-to-life in prison for the stabbing death of 16-year-old Shawn Cassinelli.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge James L. Long described the July 20, 1991, slaying as a tragedy for all involved.

Long could have sentenced Morelos, who was 17 when the stabbing took place, to the California Youth Authority where he would have remained no longer than his 25th birthday. But the judge opted for a harsher penalty, citing the viciousness of the crime.

In October 1992, Morelos pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Cassinelli, a popular San Juan High School athlete who died of a single stab wound to the stomach.

The incident occurred as Cassinelli was walking along a dark stretch of Old Auburn Road. One of Cassinelli's two companions threw a bottle into the road in front of a passing car.

Morelos, a passenger in the automobile, leaped out and charged the three pedestrians, fatally stabbing Cassinelli.

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