Sacto 9-1-1

Hundreds of human bones discovered at digging site near Linden

2012-02-13T03:04:40Z

Authorities digging at a site near Linden for victims of two serial killers discovered hundreds of human bones today, marking yet another instance in the past four days that human remains have been found.

The latest discoveries came at an old abandoned well about 62 miles southeast of Sacramento and included skull fragments, bones, coats, shoes, a purse and jewelry, Deputy Les Garcia of the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said tonight.

"It's a gruesome sight, it really is," Garcia said.

]]> Crews were continuing to work into the night in hopes of beating the rain storm headed for the area tonight, and Garcia said they will resume searching again Monday at 7 a.m.

He added that there is no way to tell how many victims there are from the remains found so far and that investigators had processed 34 large piles of dirt and debris. The remains and clothing items were found about 45 deep into the well.

The dig today follows the discovery of a human skull and teeth on Thursday in Calaveras County that were identified as those of Cyndi Vanderheiden, a 25-year-old Linden woman who vanished in 1998. Authorities found another skull Friday at a separate site in Calaveras County.

All of the human remains are believed to be victims of the so-called "Speed Freak Killers," Loren Herzog and Wesley Shermantine.

Herzog was convicted of killing Vanderheiden and two others and was implicated in other slayings. His murder convictions were thrown out on appeal and he eventually pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Vanderheiden's death. He was paroled and living in a trailer outside the High Desert State Prison near Susanville when he hanged himself last month.

Shermantine, convicted in four killings, is on Death Row at San Quentin State Prison, but he has maintained contact for years with Stockton Record reporter Scott Smith, whose letters from Shermantine - as well as a map Shermantine drew - have been used by investigators to find the remains.

The San Joaquin County sheriff has established a hotline for people to call if they have a mising person case they believe may be related to the Herzog-Shermantine case. People can call the hotline at (209) 468-5087 and leave their name, phone number, the name of the missing person and case number. That information also can be emailed to coldcase@sjgov.org.

Sacramento boy, 4, dies in apparent road-rage crash on I-5

2012-02-12T19:10:04Z

The 4-year-old son of an unlicensed Sacramento motorist was killed Saturday when the father engaged in apparent road-rage exchanges with another driver and lost control of his car on Interstate 5, a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman said.

Joe Chanthavong, 26, was driving a blue 1999 Honda Accord south on I-5 from Interstate 80 at about 4:20 p.m. and was engaging in some type of road rage with the driver of another vehicle following behind, CHP Officer Lizz Dutton said.

Dutton said the drivers of both vehicles were making unsafe lane changes, following too closely and speeding. Just north of the Garden Highway, while Chanthavong was in the No. 2 lane, he abruptly turned to the right in an effort to exit the freeway.

]]> That maneuver caused him to lose control of his car, miss the exit and drive into the space between the freeway and the Garden Highway offramp. Dutton said Chanthavong's car, carrying the boy's mother, Melinda Phouglonghong, and their son, traveled down an embankment and through a chain link fence before it overturned.

The child was not properly secured in a child restraint seat, Dutton said. He was ejected and fatally injured.

The driver of the other vehicle, described by witnesses as a black Chevy pickup similar to an Avalanche and displaying California license plates, apparently continued on the freeway.

The Honda came to rest on its wheels in a grassy area west of the fence.

Phouglonghong, 23, of Sacramento, was taken to the UC Davis Medical Center with minor cuts and abrasions.

Chanthavong was also transported to the hospital with a contusion to his head and minor cuts and abrasions.

Dutton said a toxicology report - and charges - are pending, Dutton said.

Anyone who witnessed any part of the exchange between the drivers of the two vehicles or who has information on the cars' occupants is asked to contact the North Sacramento CHP office at (916) 338-6710 or the CHP Communications Center at (916) 861-1300.

Suspect in assault on Redding medical personnel arrested

2012-02-12T17:56:53Z

A Cottonwood man who authorities say intentionally rammed his pickup into an occupied ambulance parked at Mercy Medical Center in Redding on Saturday night has been arrested, Redding authorities said today.

Joel Michael Haller was booked into the Shasta County Jail for investigation of attempted murder, police reported in a news statement.

The statement said that shortly after 9 p.m., Haller intentionally accelerated his gray 2003 Toyota Tundra toward the ambulance, ramming it in attempt to kill its occupants - all of them medical personnel.

]]> Officers identified the occupants of the vehicle as a paramedic and an emergency medical technician from Redding and another paramedic from Fortuna.

The Redding EMT was treated at the hospital for back pain. The suspect was treated for minor injuries, police said.

Both vehicles received major damage.

Haller was jailed in lieu of $1 million bail.

Sacramento gang members convicted in retaliation shooting

2012-02-11T18:08:07Z

Isaac Givens and Cesar Santana, members of the Norteno street gang, were convicted Friday of carrying out a 2010 retaliation shooting, according to a release from the Sacramento District Attorney's office.

Givens got into an argument with a rival gang member, leading to the shooting and hospitalization of Vincent Garay, Givens' fellow gang member, the DA's office said.

Detectives doing surveillance on the rival's house saw Givens drive Santana to the house five days later.

]]> Santana got out and fired multiple shots into the home.

Although several people were there, no one was injured.

Police pursued and arrested Santana and Givens.

Based on their convictions, the two men face sentences of 15 years to life in prison.

Citrus Heights police ID homicide victim and suspect

2012-02-11T16:48:09Z

Citrus Heights police have arrested Nicholas Mangelli, 21, of Citrus Heights, in the killing of Michael Cole, 26.

Cole's body was discovered by a neighbor in a home in the vicinity of Auburn Boulevard and Halifax Street.

Cole lived in the 6000 block of Westbrook Drive.

Police arrived at the scene at about 11 a.m. Friday and found the victim, along with evidence that a violent struggle had occurred.

]]> Through witness statements, the police identified Mangelli as a suspect.

Police detained, questioned and arrested him on suspicion of killing Cole.

The manner and motive of Cole's homicide has not been released.

Photo Caption: Nicholas Mangelli

Program targeting cyberbullying scheduled in Knights Landing

2012-02-11T03:16:59Z

A presentation and discussion of cyberbullying and other issues involving social media will be held Feb. 29 at Yolo County's Knights Landing Branch Library.

The presentation by the UCD Family Protection and Legal Assistance Clinic will focus on the social and legal consequences of cyberbullying, sexting and sextortion. The session is designed for parents who may attend alone or with their children.

The multimedia presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.

]]> The program, offered free of charge, is scheduled from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.at the Knights Landing Branch Library, 42351 Third St., Knights Landing.

For more information about Yolo County Library programs, see the website at www.yolocountylibrary.org.

Sacramento police offer driver safety class for teenagers

2012-02-11T02:36:34Z

The Sacramento Police Department is offering a class on driver safety for teenage drivers and their parents or guardians.

The classes are intended to educate new drivers who lack the experience that is sometimes needed in various driving situations, according to a Police Department news release. Officials site statistics that show teenage drivers are found to be at fault in 66 percent of all fatal accidents in which teens are involved. Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 15 to 20 years old.

The Smart Start Driving Class, offered free of charge, is open to teenagers 15 to 19 years old. Participation of a parent or guardian is encouraged but not required.

]]> The next class will be held form 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second floor of the Sacramento Police Department's Central Command Station, 300 Richards Blvd. Sign-ups also are being accepted for a March 28 class scheduled for the same time and location.

To register, call (916) 808-6126.

Warrants issued for suspects in El Dorado County burglaries

2012-02-11T01:48:22Z

One man is in custody and warrants have been issued for two other suspects in connection with recent burglaries in El Dorado Hills and neighboring communities.

El Dorado County sheriff's deputies stopped a suspicious black Mercedes sedan about 10:45 p.m. Jan. 27 because it was being slowly driven through neighborhoods in the area of Mormon Island and Lake Ridge Oaks in El Dorado Hills, according to an El Dorado County Sheriff's Department news release.

Deputies determined that three men inside the vehicle were either on parole or probation. They were identified as Jacob Scott Mack and Mark Jon Williams, both 21, and Jason Earl Rogers, 30.

]]> Deputies searched the vehicle and located several items but could not determine at the time whether they were stolen. They released the men following the investigation.

Later that night, a burglary was reported in the Cameron Park area, and the items stolen from the victim's residence matched those deputies had found hours before in the Mercedes, officials said.

On Feb. 2, sheriff's detectives followed up on the deputies' initial investigation with a parole search of Roger's Citrus Heights home. There they found a large amount of stolen property, and contacted neighboring law enforcement agencies in an attempt to match the stolen property with unsolved burglary cases in their jurisdictions.

Rogers has been booked into Placer County Jail as a suspect in numerous burglaries in the Granite Bay area.

Based on El Dorado County detectives' investigation, burglary arrest warrants have been issued for Mack and Williams. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is asked to call their local law enforcement agency.

Suspect detained after man found dead in Citrus Heights home

2012-02-11T01:01:59Z

Citrus Heights police announced that they have detained a suspect in a homicide after a man was found dead in a residence this morning.

Just after 11 a.m., officers responded to a home in the area of Auburn Boulevard and Halifax Street after a neighbor found a man dead inside the home. Officers found signs that a violent struggle had occurred.

Detectives began a homicide investigation and, through witness statements, quickly identified a suspect, according to a Police Department news release.

]]> Police said the suspect has been detained and is being questioned by detectives.

The identity of the dead man has not been released pending notification of relatives. Police said the cause of death will be determined by a coroner's investigation.

Orland man sentenced for selling false identification documents

2012-02-11T00:11:49Z

A 38-year-old Glenn County man has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for selling false identification and immigration documents.

Camilo Reyes of Orland was sentenced today in Sacramento by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. for transfer of false identification documents, according to a federal Department of Justice news release.

According to the plea agreement, between Dec. 14 2009 and Aug. 13, 2010, Reyes sold fraudulent identification documents to undercover agents at a store in Orland. On March 12, 2010, an undercover agent met with Reyes and paid him $300 in exchange for two fraudulent resident alien registration cards, commonly known as "green cards", and photographs that the agent had provided.

]]> During the search of Reyes' home, agents found tools and materials used in manufacturing fraudulent documents such as printers, card stock and lamination devices, officials said.

The case resulted from an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

Citrus Heights man arrested in string of Granite Bay burglaries

2012-02-10T23:27:10Z

A man suspected of committing numerous residential burglaries in Granite Bay over the past few months has been arrested.

Jason Earl Rogers (pictured), 30, of Citrus Heights, was booked into Placer County Jail today on suspicion of residential burglary and possession of stolen property. He was originally arrested by El Dorado County sheriff's detectives, who discovered a large amount of stolen property during a search of his home Feb. 2, according to a Placer County Sheriff's Office news release.

The El Dorado County detectives were looking for a a burglar who had kicked in the front doors of dozens of homes and stolen jewelry. Placer County detectives joined the search of Rogers' home and found property belonging to Granite Bay victims.

Because of the large number of cases in Placer County, Rogers was extradited today, officials said. He is being held on a no-bail parole hold.

Former Colfax teacher-coach arrested on sex abuse charges

2012-02-10T19:53:05Z

Belden Morgan, a former teacher and coach at Colfax High School, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of child sex abuse, Placer County sheriff's officials reported.

Morgan, 70, of Auburn, was arrested after an investigation into allegations of ongoing abuse several years ago.

He is held at Placer County Jail in lieu of $1.5 million bail.

Morgan was a teacher at the school from 1998 to 2003 and a snowboard coach from 2003 to March 2011, said Eric Vereyken, human resources director for the Placer Union High School District.

Sheriff's officials are not releasing details, and it has not been disclosed when the alleged incidents took place or whether they involved students at the high school.

PHOTO CAPTION: Beldon Morgan

Hearing delayed in south Sacramento barbershop killings; 7th suspect arrested

2012-02-10T18:48:24Z

The preliminary hearing of six defendants accused of murder in the death of an innocent woman who was killed by a stray bullett during a shootout at a south area barbershop was delayed today due to a conflict on the part of one of the defense lawyers.

Meanwhile, it was disclosed in Sacramento Superior Court today that a seventh defendant has been arrested in the case. He is Ernest Burton Stoute, 28. According to jail and court records, Stoute was arrested Jan. 6 and charged three days later. His case is expected at some point to be joined with the other six defendants, attorneys said court today.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Triplett did not say what role Stoute might have played in the Dec. 14, 2010, shootout in which a stray bullet killed Monique Nelson, 30, as she wrapped her body across her 2-year-old son to protect him when the gunfire erupted. The boy had been strapped in his security seat in her sports utility vehicle.

]]> Attorney Donald Masuda, who is representing defendant Larry Dean Jones Jr., 30, was the defense lawyer who was forced out of the case. Masuda asked Judge Ernest W. Sawtelle to be relieved from representing Jones when it was learned that the attorney had represented a man in an old Elk Grove suspicious death case who now has been subpoenaed to testify for the prosecution in the barbershop killings.

Masuda told the judge he conferred in the hallway with the witness and his mother. The lawyer said the witness, who was once arrested as a suspect in the Elk Grove case that was later determined not to be a homicide, refused to waive his attorney-client privilege with Masuda, who might have to cross-examine him during the trial and preliminary hearing. Details on the Elk Grove suspicious death case were not immediately available.

Sawtelle ordered a hearing on Thursday to appoint a new attorney for Jones, who expressed disappointment when he was told Masuda was disqualified from representing him.

"I don't know how this happened," Jones said.

The other five defendants in the case are Louis Jones Mitchell, 20; his brother Lonnie Orlando Mitchell Jr., 25; Dominique Marcell Lott, 28; James Leo Carney III, 32; and Charles Barksdale, 30.

Nelson was killed in the parking lot outside Fly Cuts & Styles on Stockton Boulevard, during the shootout inside. Sources said the shooting resulted from a dispute between Barksdale and the Mitchells. Barksdale confronted the Mitchells who were getting their hair cut when the gunfire broke out.

Barksdale's younger brother, Marvion Dashawn Barksdale, 20, also was killed in the firefight. Marvion Barksdale, who authorities said accompanied his brother in the confrontation with the Mitchells, has not been listed as a murder victim in the case.

Eyewitness IDs Sacramento suspect by his eyes

2012-02-10T16:56:18Z

A thorough Sacramento police officer followed up on a good eyewitness description and netted a strong-arm robbery suspect Thursday.

A couple staying in a motel near East Sacramento was robbed at a store on 30th Street around 7:30 p.m., when the husband was pushed to the ground by an assailant, said Sgt. Andrew Pettit.

The husband gave the responding officer a thorough description, including that the culprit had a "lazy eye."

]]> The officer searched the police system for similar descriptions and came up with a possible suspect.

The victim was able to pick the suspect out of a photo lineup.

When police went to the suspect's address, they found some of the victim's property.

They arrested Terrance McNiel, 35.

Suspect arrested in North Sacramento shooting

2012-02-10T16:10:23Z

Sacramento police have arrested a man in connection with the Thursday shooting death of 20-year-old Christopher Kai Sisoukchaleun, officials announced this morning.

Antoine Blessett, 36, was arrested Thursday after police found him driving in the vicinity of the shooting, according to a release from the Sacramento Police Department.

Blessett was believed to have shot the victim multiple times following an argument between two groups near a liquor store on Del Paso Boulevard near Fairfield Street.

]]> The shooting took place at about 2 a.m. Thursday and the victim died after being taken to a local hospital.

Witnesses gave police a description, including license, of the truck used by the shooter to leave the scene.

Police later found that vehicle unoccupied, but Blessett was determined to be the registered owner.

Blessett was driving a different vehicle near the crime scene when he was taken into custody.