Crime specialist offers home-alone safety tips
Many parents make the decision to leave their children home alone during the summer. It is important to remember several factors when you want to determine whether your child is ready to be left home alone for any length of time. It is also very . . . Read Full Story >>
Man arrested for assaulting police officer
While Ridgecrest Police Officer Brazfield was investigating the theft of a purse from inside Anytime Fitness on June 7, a local resident was identified on video as the suspect. Officer Hamilton located the suspect, Joseph Harker, 49, walking on East Ridgecrest Boulevard. During the officer’s . . . Read Full Story >>
Smith-Sims to face first-degree murder in death of infant
Linda Saholt
Ridgecrest resident Kylor Smith-Sims, is in custody in Lerdo Pretrial Facility in Bakersfield without bail, on charges of murder in the first degree and assault resulting in great bodily injury on his 10-week-old son. The suspect’s trial is set for Aug. 26 at 8:31 a.m. . . . Read Full Story >>
Double drug bust lands Ridgecrest man in jail
During a traffic stop on April 3 about 10 p.m., Ridgecrest Police Sgt. Justin Dampier observed the driver, Robert James Bertrand, 29, exhibiting signs of drug use. Dampier reported finding approximately a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine in the suspect’s possession as well as several thousands dollars . . . Read Full Story >>
Rape suspect arrested
Ridgecrest Police Department officers located a 13-year-old girl at the corner of Argus Avenue and Sanders Street at 4:08 a.m. on May 26. The juvenile stated that she had been at a party and raped. Detectives were called out to investigate. During the investigation, it . . . Read Full Story >>
Serial burglary suspect now in custody
When Ridgecrest Police officers responded to a call at about 9:15 p.m. from a residence in the 900 block of West Alene Avenue on May 14, they found that a burglary had apparently just occurred. A family member reported observing a suspect in the victim’s . . . Read Full Story >>
Suspect arrested for drugs, firearm possession
Ridgecrest police officers arrested a suspect on May 17 on charges of possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest. Bail was set at $15,000. Evidently the suspect made bail, since on May 24 the same suspect, Timothy Robert Williams, 35, was again arrested on . . . Read Full Story >>
FBI investigating fatal beating by officers
Rebecca Neipp
Amidst accusations of use of brutal force and tampering with evidence, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood has asked the FBI to investigate the officers from his department involved in the death of a Bakersfield man who apparently perished from wounds inflicted during an arrest attempt. . . . Read Full Story >>
Suspect arrested -- meth involved
Linda Saholt
When Ridgecrest Police Officers Ballestero and Bockhahn investigated a report of unattended children, ages three and four, they found the residence in question to be a suspected “meth house.” During their investigation on April 29, the officers determined that a semi-automatic handgun on the premises . . . Read Full Story >>
New deputy brings problem-solving attitude
Linda Saholt
When Kern County Sheriff Department Sgt. Mike Scott accepted a promotion that transferred him to the Mojave Sheriff’s Office, Senior Deputy Paul Leonard was promoted to sergeant in the Ridgecrest office, and Deputy Edward “Ed” O’Brien was promoted to senior deputy. The KCSO’s Ridgecrest substation . . . Read Full Story >>
Three arrested in joint effort
Linda Saholt
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies teamed up with Ridgecrest Police )fficers on Monday, April 29. for a a.m. action that resulted in three arrests. The two departments responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at County Line Organics, 100 County Line Rd., located in the . . . Read Full Story >>
Police hold open house
During the Ridgecrest Police Department’s Open House on May 9, Officer Bill Groves commands K-9 Officer Laky to attack Officer Adam Shaffer, who is wearing protective gear. The demonstration showed how the K-9 officer-and-handler team works to subdue a hostile, dangerous or escaping suspect. Notice . . . Read Full Story >>
Gleason heads up anti-meth task force
Rebecca Neipp
Following through with an early promise to reduce the abuse of methamphetamines and their negative impact on communities, Kern County 1st District Supervisor Mick Gleason was recently named chair of the Kern County Meth-amphetamine Reduction Task Force. “I don’t think the average citizen is aware . . . Read Full Story >>
PD announces DUI saturation patrol
The Ridgecrest Police Depart-ment announced a DUI Saturation Patrol on Saturday, May 4, 7-11 p.m., in Ridgecrest as part of an efforts to lower incidence of alcohol-related collisions. The RCPD considers the use of saturation patrols to be an important enforcement tool in its efforts . . . Read Full Story >>
Man killed in traffic accident
At press time the News Review learned of the death of a 42-year-old Inyokern man, who died as a result of injuries from a traffic accident. According to a statement released from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Timothy Michael Johns was traveling on April 27, . . . Read Full Story >>
Police Dept. to hold open house
The Ridgecrest Police Department will hold an Open House on May 9 beginning at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. The Police Department is located at 100 W. California Ave. Among the items of interest will be: Child I.D. presented by Police and Citizens Together (PACT), . . . Read Full Story >>
RPD Facebook presence helps close case
Rebecca Neipp
In a climate of diminishing resources and overcrowded prisons that push criminals back onto the streets earlier than ever, Ridgecrest Chief of Police Ron Stand has found that use of social media and cooperation from an engaged public has given his department an edge in . . . Read Full Story >>
Federal Grand Jury charges woman with embezzlement from Ridgecrest firms
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 16-count superseding indictment against Sherrill V. Hanson, 61, of Big Pine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced April 4. The original indictment charged Hanson with 14 counts of wire fraud; the superseding indictment added two . . . Read Full Story >>
Respect for Law dinners honors local heroes
Award recipients at the 18th annual John S. Ward Respect for Law Recognition Dinner are, from left, CHP Officer Daniel Lilly, Kern County Sheriff’s Department Deputy John Frisbie, China Lake Police Department Officer Sherry Gibson, Ridgecrest Police Department Reserve Officer Marty Dorrell and Ridgecrest Police . . . Read Full Story >>
Burglary suspect arrested
A 24-year-old Ridgecrest man has been arrested on counts relating to residential burglary and possession of stolen property, according to a statement released from the Ridgecrest Police Department. A report of a residential burglary on North Gold Canyon Drive was filed with police on March . . . Read Full Story >>