By G.T. Houts

Highland, CA – There has been an ongoing investigation in reference to several fires in the Inland Empire. During the investigation, a white GMC truck bearing California license number 63919E2, was seen on several Automated License Plate Readers surveillance cameras. On Thursday August 4, 2017 a fire was started in the city of Yucaipa and the above vehicle was stopped in the area. The driver, suspect Jarrod Anthony Samra age 23 years old, of Yucaipa,was detained and brought to the Highland Station for an interview.  Under Miranda, Samra admitted to starting six of the fires, including the Yucaipa fire. During the suppression of the fire by fire personnel, a fireman sustained a fractured femur.

Samra was booked into the Central Detention Center. On Friday, August 4, he was booked and bail was set at $250,000.

The next court appearance date is not known at this time.

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By G. T. Houts

Running Springs, CA – The Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team conducted an operation, with the U. S. Forest Service and CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting), in the San Bernardino National Forest near Fredalba Creek. During the two-day operation, investigators found several plots of marijuana growing in the forest below Smiley Park, in Running Springs. Camping equipment and a large abundance of trash was evidence that the suspects had been living near, and caring for, the large marijuana grows.

Investigators believe members of illegal drug trafficking organizations are responsible for the marijuana grows found in the National Forest. The suspects had cleared away the natural foliage, which causes irreversible damage to the forest. They used the natural resources to facilitate and support the grow.The natural terrain and heavy brush are often used to conceal the grow sites from law enforcement officials. Natural water sources, such as creeks, and streams, serve as a water supply for the grow sites. Often times, the suspects will use fertilizers and toxic pesticides. These chemicals seep into the ground and contaminate the ground water and natural wildlife.

Investigators seized nearly 7,800 plants from the illegal grow sites. There is no suspect information at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909)387-8400.

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By G. T. Houts

Big Bear CA, – On Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at approximately 7:05 p.m., deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station were called to Big Bear Yellow Post Campsite 28 in reference to an assault that took place at that location.

The victim, Christopher Huebner, 35 years old, reported he had  befriended three subjects while camping in the forested area. During the day the subjects has asked Huebner to take them into Big Bear to run errands and Huebner agreed. While returning to the campsite one of the subjects used a weapon to strangle Huebner, while one of the other subjects repeatedly punch him in the face. The third subject Huebner been dropped off prior to the assault. During the assault the two suspects stole Huebner’s wallet and then fled the scene on foot. Huebner sustained injuries to his face and neck as a result of the unprovoked attack.

Through investigation, deputies were able to locate the suspects at the Yellow Post Campsite 25, where they were taken into custody without incident. The suspects were identified as Jerry Walker, 23-year-old transient, Ariq Carrigan, 23-year-0ld transient. Walker and Carrigan were booked into the Big Bear Jail on felony charges of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Walker and Carrigan remain in custody at the West Valley detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bail each. Arraignment will be August 24 2017, in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Anyone having information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Detective Bureau of the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at (909) 866-0100. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-tip-Hotline
at 1-800-78-CRIME or on line at http://www.wetip.com.

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By G. T. Houts

Lake Arrowhead, CA – On Sunday, September 3, Lake Arrowhead Resort staff received an anonymous call to check on the guests in room #260, due to a possible disturbance in the room. Hotel staff contacted the Sheriff’s Department and requested their assistance. Deputies from the Twin Peaks Station responded to the location however, the occupants were no longer in the room. During the investigation, deputies recognized evidence of an identity theft operation inside the room.

Deputies located a large amount of stolen mail and dozens of credit cards that appeared to be fraudulently created.  A credit card stamping machine, which stamps new credit card information on blank credit cards, was found in the room. Deputies learned the room was checked out to a factitious name, “Kevin Kanooni”. Deputies located numerous fraudulent credit cards found in the room with Kanooni’s name on it.

Through investigation and video surveillance, the suspect was positively identified as Jason Schoen, 37 years old of Canoga Park. Deputies contacted Schoen in the parking lot of the hotel near a Ford Mustang. Schoen ran away from deputies and, after a short foot pursuit, was detained. The ford Mustang was previously reported stolen, with Jason Schoen listed as the suspect. Additional fraudulent credit cards were found in the vehicle, along with Schoen’s personal belongings. Deputies also recovered 9mm ammunition in Schoen’s backpack. Schoen is a convicted felon and he is prohibited from possessing ammunition. Schoen was arrested and booked into Central Detention Center for identity theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, and felon in possession of ammunition.

Anyone with information about the case should contact the Twin Peaks Station (909) 336-0600. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to cal the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-Crime(27463) or you may leave information at the We-Tip website at http://www.wetip.com.

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By G. T. Houts

Lake Arrowhead, CA – On September 25, 2017, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Specialized Investigations, Crimes Against Children Detail (CACD) received a written report from the Beaumont Police Department listing the suspect, Chris Austin, also known as Christina Jacobson, a resident of Lake Arrowhead, as an alleged suspect in a lewd act upon a child that took place at or near the suspect’s home. The report indicated that Austin, age 37, was an English Teacher at Beaumont High School and the alleged victim was a student at the school.

CACD detectives immediately initiated an investigation into the allegations, interviewed numerous parties, and obtained potential evidence.  Detectives discovered Austin had been placed  on leave by the school administrators. When detectives attempted to make contact with Austin, they determined she had moved out of her residence and her whereabouts were unknown.

The Detectives submitted the case to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and obtained an arrest warrant for Austin on September 27. The specialized Enforcement Division ( SED) assisted the investigating detectives and located her during a traffic stop in La Canada/Flintridge area. Austin was taken into custody for the arrest warrant and transported to the West Valley Detention Center for booking. She is held in lieu of $500,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on October 4, 2017.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Lisa Guerra or Sargent Dana Foster of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail (909) 387-3615.

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By G. T. Houts

Lake Arrowhead, CA – On Friday, October 6, 2017, deputies from the Twin Peaks Station responded to the victim’s residence regarding an inappropriate touching of a child call. When deputies arrived they spoke to the victim and her parents.

The victim, a 9 year old female, told deputies she was spending the night at a friend’s house in the 27000 block of Peninsula Drive, and was touched inappropriately by her friend’s father, James Stauffer, 4o years old, of Lake Arrowhead. Stauffer came into the bedroom, where the victim and her friend were sleeping, and touched her several times during the incident. The incident was stopped when the victim’s friend woke and yelled at Stauffer to stop, Stauffer then exited the room. The victim and her friend alerted the friend’s mother and the victim called her parents to pick her up.

Deputies contacted and interviewed all parties involved. After completing their initial investigation, deputies placed Stauffer under arrest for PC 288(A), Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child under 14 years old. Stauffer was transported and booked into the Central Detention Center. He is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail. Stauffer is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday, October 11th, in Central Superior Court.

Anyone with information regarding this case, or other possible victims, are urged to contact Deputy William Zerbe or Detective Eric Trujillo at the Twin Peaks Station, (909) 336-0600 or We Tip 1-800-CRIME.

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By G. T. Houts

Update 2 – Sunday October 22, 3:11 p.m.

On Saturday October 21, at 7:47 p.m. the San Bernardino County Coroner’s office identified the victim as Jessica “Jace” Elyce Wider, 32 year of age of Lake Arrowhead, CA.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department are still searching for the woman who discovered Widner’s body.

Investigators have not determined the exact circumstances surrounding Widner’s death but they think part of the cave collapsed and buried her, according to the Coroner’s website.

Update 1 – Friday October 20, 9:28 p.m.

Body initially identified as male, once removed from cave it was determined to be a female.

Original story

Crestline, CA – On October 19, 2017, at approximately 7:19 p.m., deputies from the Twin Peaks Station responded to the area of Highland Drive and Scenic View Drive, in the community of Crestline for a death investigation. The San Bernardino County Fire Department received information from an unknown female that a human hand was sticking out of the ground near an old glass bottle dump. The female showed fire personnel where she saw the hand. After directing the fire department to the location, the female left the scene.

Twin Peaks deputies arrived on scene at approximately 7:30 p.m. and observed a small cave dug into the hillside. After looking inside of the cave, deputies saw what appeared to be a human hand sticking out from the dirt. The coroner’s office was notified of the discovery and responded to the scene. Although the circumstances surrounding the person’s death is still under investigation, it appears a portion of the cave collapsed and buried the subject. Due to the possibility of the cave further collapsing on investigators, a specialized recovery effort will take place to remove the body. Deputies and Coroner Investigators uncovered a portion of the subject’s body and were able to see he was wearing a white plaid style shirt and blue jeans along with a baseball cap.

Deputies would like to speak to the woman who made the discovery in order to obtain additional information.

Anyone with information about the case is also urged to contact the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station (909) 336-0600. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-tip Website at http://www.wetip.com.

Please refer to Deputy Brian Butts or Public Information Officer Gil Flores.

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By G. T. Houts

Lake Arrowhead, CA – Monday October 23, Deputies from the Twin Peaks Station responded to a theft report at a business located in the Lake Arrowhead Village. Deputies contacted the victim who stated the suspect, Caleb Arnett, 38 year old resident of Lake Arrowhead, walked into the business to promote his business “Step One Window Care” and he along with his wife, washed numerous business’ windows at the Lake Arrowhead Village. While Arnett was inside the victim’s business, and she was distracted for a moment, he stole her iPhone 6s Plus. The victim noticed the phone missing and contacted deputies from the Twin Peaks Station.

During the investigation, deputies determined Arnett was the last person in the business and was possibly in possession of the stolen phone. Deputies went to Arnett’s residence, located in the community of Lake Arrowhead, and recovered the victim’s phone. However, Arnett was not located at the residence. While deputies returned the phone to the victim, they observed Arnett at the Lake Arrowhead Village. Arnett was handcuffed and interviewed about the theft. Arnett agreed to take deputies to the location where he discarded the victim’s iPhone case. While Arnett and deputies walked to the location of the phone case, Arnett ran from deputies while he was still handcuffed. A short foot pursuit ensued and deputies were able to apprehend Arnett without further incident. Arnett was transferred and booked into the West Valley Detention Center for violation of PC 487, Grand Theft, PC 69, Resisting an Executive Officer, ad PC 836.6(B), Escaping from custody with force. Arnett is currently being held in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Based on the investigation, deputies believe Arnett is involved in ongoing thefts at the Lake Arrowhead Village under the ruse of “Step One Window Care”.

If you have any information regarding this case or have been a victim of theft, please contact Deputy Jonathan Cavender of Deputy Shelby Swanson at the Twin Peaks Station (909) 336-0600 or WeTip 1-800-78-CRIME.

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By G. T. Houts

San Bernardino, CA – Frank Popovich Jr., a 55 year old Big Bear resident, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder on Monday, for shooting and murdering James Clark, 42 years old, of Big Bear.

Frank Popovich (Faebook Photo)

On April 12, 2016, Popovich, a magician who owns the Black Fox Trading Co. in Big Bear, went to a local nightclub and saw the victim in the back parking lot.

According to Deputy District Attorney Larissa Ruescher, who prosecuted the case, Popovich and the victim know each other as friends and the victim had even worked in the defendant’s business.

After less than three minutes, Popovich started shoving the victim and pointing his finger in the victim’s face. The victim did nothing to defend himself and showed no signs of aggression towards the defendant.

Popovich was not visible for ten seconds and then the flash of a gun muzzle went off and the victim’s body dropped to the ground.

“In a scene that was captured on surveillance video, the defendant then walked over to the victim’s head area and slapped the victim in the head.” DDR Ruescher said. “The defendant then walked to the feet of the victim, took the cigarette from his left hand, and continued to smoke it for a full thirty seconds while standing over the victim’s body.”

Popovich faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison when sentenced next month.

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By G. T. Houts

Mountain Communities – On October 31, deputies from the Twin Peaks Station’s Multi Enforcement Team (MET), along with members from the San Bernardino County Probation Department, conducted a mountain wide sex offender compliance check. Deputies and Probation Officers contacted numerous sex registrants from the Twin Peaks and Big Bear jurisdictions. During the service of the compliance checks, Deputy Cavender contacted Paul Madison, 31 year old resident of Running Springs, at his residence, 2800 block of View Drive,  in the Community of Running Springs.

Madison is currently on probation for violation of PC288.2(a), Distributing Pornography to a Minor. As a result, Madison is required to register as a sex offender and adhere to conditions of his probation. Deputy Cavender and Probation Officer Sandra Morris determined Madison was in violation of his probation. Madison was arrested and booked into the Central Detention Center. The case will be submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office for review.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Deputy Jonathan Cavender at the Twin Peaks Station (909) 336-0600. or WeTip 1-800-78-CRIME.

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By G. T. Houts

Lake Arrowhead, CA – On Tuesday, November 1, 2017, Deputy Jonathan Cavender, of the Twin Peaks Station’s Multi-enforcement Team (MET), along with other Twin Peaks Station Deputies served a search warrant in 200 block of Snow Flower Lane, Lake Arrowhead, the residence of Caleb Arnett, 38 year-old resident of Lake Arrowhead. Arnett was arrested on October 23, 2017, for stealing a cell phone from a business in the Lake Arrowhead Village. In the previous case, Arnett had been soliciting businesses in The Lake Arrowhead Village under the ruse “Step One Window Care.” Deputies believed additional property belonging to the victim was at Arnett’s residence. Deputy Cavender authored and obtained a search warrant in order to look for, and recover, the victim’s property. During the service of the search warrant, deputies contacted Arnett and his girlfriend, Codi Richardson, a 22 year-old resident of Lake Arrowhead, inside the residence.

While searching the residence, deputies located items consistent with habitual drug use, sales and other drug paraphernalia. After completing his investigation, Deputy Cavender determined Arnett and Richardson to  be in violation of Health and Safety Code 11366, Maintaining a Drug House.

Arnett and Richardson were both arrested for violation of H&S 11366. Due to Arnett being out of custody on his own recognizance for the previous theft case, he was also charged with  PC 12022.1(b), a new felony offense while out on bail. Arnett was booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. Richardson was released from jail on her own recognizance on November 2, 2017.

The case will be submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office for review.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Deputy Jonathan Cavender at the Twin Peaks Station (909) 336-0600 or WeTip 1-800-78-CRIME.

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By G. T. Houts

Valley of Enchantment, CA – On December 12, 2017, at approximately 1:45 a.m., deputies from the Twin Peaks Station responded to the 2300 block of Cedar Way, in Valley of Enchantment, for a subject causing a disturbance at a residence. Deputy Kelly Bush, from the Twin Peaks Station, responded to the call and arrived on scene at approximately 1:52 a.m. Upon arrival Deputy Bush contacted the victim, who was suffering from multiple stab wounds. The  victim had been in an physical altercation with the suspect, Robert Stanislowski, 32 years of age from San Jacinto, CA. During the altercation, Stanislowski grabbed a knife and began stabbing the victim. After staging the victim, Stanislowski fled the residence on foot. Additional deputies responded to the scene, and an area check was conducted for Stanislowski.

K-9 Dare

After conducting a cursory search, Twin Peaks deputies contacted the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s K-9 Division and requested their assistance with tracking Stanislowski . K-9 Dare — and her handler Deputy Girard — responded to the scene at approximately 3:00 a.m. Stanislowski was located by deputies in the area of Hwy 138 and Water Drive at approximately 4:10 a.m. Stanislowski was taken into custody without further incident. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his stab wounds. He is listed in a serious but a stable condition. The victim is expected to recover from his injuries.

Due to the nature of the injuries and circumstances surrounding the incident, Stanislowski was arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center for PC 664/187 – Attempted Murder. He is being held  in lieu of $1,000,000 bail. If you have further information about this case please contact the Twin Peaks Station at (909) 336-0600 or We Tip 1-800-78-CRIME.

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By G. T. Houts 

Big Bear, CA – On January 5, 2018, at approximately 11:30 a.m., deputies from the Apple Valley Police Department investigated a suspicious occupied 2016 GMC Sierra pickup truck parked in the south-west parking lot at Bear Valley and Apple Valley Roads. The vehicle was found to a be reported stolen vehicle and related to several Big Bear residential burglaries, involving the thefts of over $40,000 worth of property. Deputies from the Apple Valley station contacted and arrested Bryan Castillo, 27 years of age, and Javier Morales,  27 years of  age, Both from Big Bear.

Apple Valley deputies worked with Big Bear deputies and determined the stolen vehicle, which was actually stolen during one of the burglaries, may contain the stolen property associated from several burglaries. Deputy Roberts  and one of the victims responded to the location of the Apple Valley recovery, where the victim identified his stolen property and truck. Suspects Castillo and Morales were turned over to Big Bear deputies for their investigation. Both were later booked at the Big Bear Jail.

The investigation is continuing and Big Bear detectives are still matching some of the recovered property to past victims.

If anyone has any information regarding this case they are  urged to call the San Bernardino county Sheriff’s Big Bear Station at (909) 866-0100 or they can contact Sargeant James Evans at the Apple Valley Station (760) 240-7400.

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By G. T. Houts

Big Bear Lake, CA – On January 13, 2018, shortly before 10:00 a.m., deputies of the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station responded to a call of suspicious circumstances in the 39000 Block of Lakeview Drive in Big bear Lake.  Upon arrival, deputies encountered a vehicle  that had collided with a tree. Through investigation, the driver of the vehicle was determined to be 41-year old Raymond Moomey, a resident of Yucca Valley.

The investigation revealed that Moomey and the victim, an unidentified 44- year-old adult female, were in an altercation when the vehicle crashed. It appeared that Moomey intentionally drove the vehicle into the tree. Immediately following the collision, Moomey fled the scene on foot.

Deputies attended to the victim, who was later transported by paramedics of Big Bear Fire to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. A check of the area was conducted; however, Moomey was not located, and a warrant for his arrest was obtained.

On January 15,2018, Detectives of the Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Enforcement Division located Moomey in Yucca Valley. Moomey was arrested without incident and booked on felony charges of attempted murder. Raymond Moomey remains in custody in lieu of $1,000,000  bail. Arraignment was January  17, 2018, in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

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By G. T. Houts

Big Bear Lake, CA – On January 17, at about 9:20 p.m., deputies from the Big Bear Station responded to a call of a home invasion robbery in the 700  block of Edgemoor Road, in Big Bear Lake. The victims, an adult male and adult female, reported a male adult, later identified as Jamey Passmore, a 25 year old resident of Big Bear Lake, was armed with a hammer and used force to enter their residence. Passmore told the victims not to call the police, demanded their cell phones, and fled the scene.

With the assistance of Sheriff’s Aviation, an extensive search for the suspect was conducted. Passmore eventually returned to the scene where deputies detained him without incident.

Jamey Passmore was booked into the Big Bear Jail on felony charges of home invasion robbery. A records check confirmed that Passmore is currently on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for prior criminal convictions. As part of Governor Jerry Brown’s 2011 Realignment Plan (AB109), in order to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring the State of California to lower its prison population by 30,000 inmates, offenders with non-violent, non-sexual and non-serious convictions serve reduced sentences in county jails and are then placed on local supervision through the County’s Probation Department after being released.

Suspect Jamey Pasmore remains in custody without bail, pending an arraignment hearing scheduled for January 19 in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

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By G. T. Houts

Lake Arrowhead, CA –  On January 22, 2018 , at approximately  3:54 a.m., Deputy Kelly Bush of the Twin Peaks Station conducted a traffic stop on white, 2007, Nissan Frontier pickup truck for a lighting violation. The driver failed to yield and accelerated at a high rate of speed. The driver of the vehicle, (later identified as Thomas Heath, 26 years of age from Ontario), began driving erratically to avoid being pulled over by Deputy Bush. On two separate occasions during the pursuit, Heath drove through residential neighborhoods, on the wrong side of the street and into on coming traffic, nearly causing head-on collisions. His speed through residential neighborhoods reached approximately 65 mph. Due to deputies being concerned about public safety, they reduced their speed causing them to lose sight of Heath and his truck.

On the same day at approximately  11:15 p.m., Deputy Bush and Deputy Blake Stebing observed Heath’s truck in the 1200  block of Aleutian Drive, Lake Arrowhead. Both deputies attempted to make contact with Heath when he walked up to his truck. Upon seeing both deputies, Heath ran to avoid contact. Deputies identified themselves, and a foot pursuit ensued. Heath was apprehended a short distance away, after he was found hiding in some foliage behind a residence. Heath was taken into custody without further incident. Heath was found to be in possession of heroin, stolen property from recent vehicle burglaries, and tools used to commit burglaries. Deputies discovered Heath was also on felony probation out of Ontario, CA, for assault with a deadly weapon.

Heath was arrested for failure to yield, with disregard to safety, and violation of probation. He was transported and booked into the West Valley Detention Center. Additional charges of possession of stolen property and burglary tools to be filed with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. Heath if suspected of being involved in several vehicle burglaries throughout the mountain communities. If you have further information regarding this case, or additional burglaries connected to Heath, please contact Deputy Kelly Bush at the Twin Peaks Station at (909) 336-0600 or We-Tip 1-800-78-CRIME.

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By G. T. Houts

Sugarloaf, CA – On January 20, 2018, at approximately  10:20 p.m., the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station received a report of a sighting of wanted felon Brandon Kegley, a  30 year old resident of Sugarloaf. Kegley had a native warrant issued against him, by the United States Marshal’s Office, for violation of federal probation terms and conditions stemming from a prior conviction of being a felon in possession of a weapon.  Prior to the arrival of responding deputies, Kegley left the scene.

Deputies saturated the area and recognized Kegley as a passenger in a vehicle driving through the area of Erwin Lake. During a traffic stop, Kegley fled on foot into the surrounding neighborhood. An extensive search was conducted on the ground, with aerial assistance from the Sheriff’s Aviation Division. After tracking the area in light snow and mud, deputies found  Kegley hiding under a deck at a residence approximately one mile from the traffic stop.

Concurrent with the search for Kegley, deputies contacted the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Holly Martineau,  36 year old resident of Big Bear City. Suspects Brandon Kegley and Holly Martineau were both found to be in  possession of heroin, as well as packaging and paraphernalia consistent with sales of illegal narcotics. Kegley and Martineau were taken into custody without incident and booked into the Big Bear Jail on felony charges of possession of narcotics for sale and bringing a controlled substance into a jail facility. Brandon Kegley and Holy Martineau remain in custody at West Valley Detention Center, pending a court hearing scheduled for January 31 in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Upon Adjudication of the case in San Bernardino County Superior Court, Kegley will be surrendered into the custody of the United States Marshal’s Service.

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Be aware of a rent scam going on in the mountain communities. (contributed photo)

By Susan A. Neufeld

Mountain Communities -Scam artists are listing homes for rent that do not belong to them. When you inquire about the listing, the scam artist explains a credit report must be run for you to be considered. Not only do these scam artists obtain you personal identification information, such as Social Security Number (SSN), driver’s license number and address, they may even ask for bank account information! The site address they give you to obtain your credit report is not real. Although they have not “charged” you for the credit report — that you will never receive — in the fine print, the site enrolls you in a credit monitoring service that charges approximately $30.00 per month, which is billed to the card number(s) you provided. Although it states you may cancel in seven (7) days, the scam artists are typically not reachable and there never was a rental available.

Th Federal Trad Commission (FTC) offers these suggestions to avoid this type of scam:

Do not share you information on line: Never give your personal identification information online, unless it is a company you know and have been doing business with.

Do not wire money: Never wire money or send a ash card for security deposits, application fees or first month’s rent. Wiring money is like sending cash and you cannot get it back!

Never pay before you sign a lease: Sign a lease before you pay anything, visit the property or have someone you trust visit it first. If this is impossible, research the address on line and make certain the person you are working with is the true owner or agent. If you are a senior, and unable to use a computer, have someone do this for you.

Take a friend: When possible, take a friend or family member with you to meet with the owner of agent and/or view the property

If you think you may been a victim of a scam, contact your local Sheriff Department.

If you are a senior contact San Bernardino County Adult Protective Services (APS) at 877-565-2020

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By G. T. Houts

Lake Arrowhead, CA – On Monday, January 29,2018, Deputy Kelly Bush of the Twin Peaks Station authored a search warrant for a residence located in the 100 block of Grizzly Road, Lake Arrowhead, CA.

At approximately 7:15 a.m., deputies and detectives from Twin Peaks, and members of the San Bernardino County Probation Department’s K-9 unit, served the  warrant at the residence. During the service of the search warrant, deputies contacted Mark Kirk, a 55 year old male, Rick Wilks, 48  year old male and Lisa Starrett, 46 year old female, all residents of Lake Arrowhead, in the residence.

The probation department’s K-9 alerted deputies to various places where deputies located several grams of methamphetamine. Also recovered in the residence was drug paraphernalia  associated with methamphetamine use, as well as items indicating the presence of drug sales. Wilks is currently on felony probation for HS 11366, maintaining or operating a drug house. All three suspects were arrested and transported to Central Detention Center for booking.

Kirk was booked for violation of California Health and Safety Code Section 11366, Maintaining a drug house. Starrett was booked for violation of Health and Safety Code Section 11377(a), Possession of a controlled substance and Penal Code 1203.2(a), Probation violation. The case will be submitted to the  San Bernardino County District Attorney’s  office for filing.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Deputy Kelly Bush or Deputy Blake Stebbing at the Twin Peaks Station, (909)336-0600 or WeTip 1-800-78- CRIME.

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By Susan A. Neufeld

Sacramento, CA – Sunday, February 4, football fans across the country will gather with friends and family to watch Super Bowl LII. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind motorists to designate a sober driver before the game begins. “Drunk driving is completely avoidable, but continues to b a serious problem,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “We want motorists to remember that drinking and driving is a choice that can have catastrophic results. If you choose to drink, DO NOT DRIVE.”

According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, during last year’s Super Bowl, one person was killed in an alcohol-involved collision, and 41 others were injured on California’s roadways. That same day, there were 247 arrests made by the CHP for driving under the influence (DUI). Consequences of a DUI arrest are jail time, the loss of a driver license, higher insurance rates, court fees, car towing and repair, and loss wages from time off work. “There are no  excuses when it comes to driving under the influence,” Acting Commissioner Stanley adds, “Have a game plan ready to avoid a tragedy. Leave you car keys at home if you will be consuming alcoholic beverages, and use public transportation, a designated driver, or a ride-hailing service to stay safe.”

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party, be a team player and help keep impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel. Make proper arrangements and designate your sober driver before the big game begins. And remember: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

The public can help by calling 9-1-1 if they suspect a drunk driver. Callers should be prepared to give the vehicle’s description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel. The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

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