By G. T. Houts

Big Bear, CA – On Monday, February 3, 2020 – at 2:18 a.m., deputies from the Big Bear Station located a vehicle in the parking area near Cougar Crest Trail that belonged to a missing person, Ria Garbiella Williams, a 27 year old resident of Santa Ana. Deputies learned that Williams was last seen in Big Bear on Wednesday, January 29, with her boyfriend Paul Arthur Stockwell, a 29 year old resident of Big Bear. On Friday January 31st, Williams did not report to work and a co-worker reported her missing. Stockwell had also been reported missing by his father. Neither of the missing person reports indicated any suspicious circumstances or reason to suspect foul play.

Deputies requested assistance from Deputy Ryan Girard and K9 Dare to search the Cougar Crest Trail and surrounding area. At about 1:30 p.m., a man and woman were found deceased approximately one-half mile into the forest. Due to the circumstances, Specialized Detectives from the Homicide Detail were requested to conduct the investigation.

Homicide Detectives are conducting a death investigation and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death of each victim.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information with information, or may have witnessed the incident, is asked to contact Detective Nick Craig, Specialized Investigations Division- Homicide Detail at (909) 387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We Tip at 1-800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.

By Susan A. Neufeld

Mountain Communities – Senator Mike Morrell had a teleconference call with the Riverside Sheriff and San Bernardino Sheriff personnel.  They were discussing scams especially targeted at seniors.

 Here are some of the scams discussed:

1. The grandparent scam – you get a call from your grandchild asking for money because of some terrible thing happening to them.  Tell them to call you back and, in the meantime, call your grandchildren to see if they are alright..
2. Stimulus relief Scam – person poses as an official from IRS asking for your bank information so the IRS can send your relief check faster.  The IRS does not call nor do they email.
3. Threatening calls regarding one of your accounts if you don’t pay immediately there may be a warrant out for your arrest.  These are scam calls so just hang up.
4. New scams telling you they can send you a test kit for “x” amount of money for the coronavirus. Scams for masks too should be ignored.  Don’t send any money.
5. People calling to offer help should be verified before you do anything. If they are well minded people they won’t mind being verified.
6. The robo calls seem to be on the rise.  Either don’t answer them or just hang up.
7. Law Enforcement or Fire will not call you for donations.  These are also scams.  The only honest collection is when you see some Firemen with a large boot asking for a donation at a large intersection.

Please be aware that the IRS will never call you or send you an email. Some of these calls can be very intimidating and they sound quite official.  If you have Caller ID be aware that they are smart enough to change the ID to look official too.

Check your bank account often.

This information was discussed  in the teleconference with law enforcement.

There have been some seniors, unfortunately, fall victim to a scam and they have lost a lot of money.  Don’t be one of them. Just hang up!