South Sacramento Area Community Asked to be on the Lookout

The Sacramento Police Department is asking the community to be on the lookout for a man who tried to sexually assault a female adult in the 2600 block of 50th Avenue yesterday evening.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at 10:00 p.m., a female in her 20's was walking home near the 2600 block of 50th Avenue when a blue minivan pulled up in front of her. The driver asked the female for directions and asked if the victim would get into his car.

The victim refused and noticed that the male driver had exposed himself and was masturbating. The victim began to walk away when the male driver got out of the car and began to grab her arm and tried to sexually assault her.

After a short struggle, the victim was able to get away and call the police. The victim did not feel the suspect was attempting to abduct her but primarily trying to sexually assault her.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 18-21 years old, 5'8, 160-170 lbs, wearing a white t-shirt, and jeans. The suspect was driving an older boxy blue or gray minivan. A composite sketch of the suspect is below.

The Police Department is urging people to remember the following safety guidelines when walking by yourself: walk on busy streets, walk in well lit areas, don't talk to strangers, run to a nearby residence if someone comes up to you and ask for the resident to call the police, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

City of Elk Grove and the County of Sacramento Begin “Sphere of Influence Listening Sessions”

By Constance Conley


The city of Elk Grove, in collaboration with the county of Sacramento, held its first of four “Sphere of Influence Listening Sessions” tonight at Edna Batey Elementary School.

Patrick Blacklock, Assistant Elk Grove City Manager, facilitated the meeting which included opening remarks and an informative PowerPoint presentation on the current Sphere of Influence (SOI) application the city of Elk Grove has before the Local Area Formation Commission, generally referred to as LAFCo. (An SOI is a plan for the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local government – Government Code Section 56076).

The purpose of the meetings is to ascertain Joint City/County Outreach in the SOI area to receive public input on:

· Conservation of habitat and open space

· Floodplain Protection

· Protection of farmland and agriculture

· Public access/passive recreation opportunities

· Urban/rural interface

· Other

After opening comments, the meeting got down to the business at hand: Several questions by attendees which included the Wilton Action Group, landowners who requested and were granted by the Elk Grove City Council to be included in the SOI application, environmental groups such as the Sierra Club, Elk Grove residents who mainly reside the rural area and a few developers.

The goal of these meetings according to Blacklock is to, “Review public input, identify commons interests in collaboration with the county of Sacramento .”

One theme during the question and answer was "who can do to it better” (meaning the city of Elk Grove or the county of Sacramento). “This is not a contest between the county of Sacramento and the city of Elk Grove. We are having this discussion in the attempt to do something different,” said Sacramento Planning Director Rob Sherry

And with that Mr. Sherry is right, something is very different. It is the mere fact we are having these discussions. In the past with the majority of original city council, no discussion or outreach would occur at all. It would be a done deal whether we liked it or not.

In closing the meeting, Elk Grove City Council member Steve Detrick thanked everyone for attending this outreach meeting. Detrick said that he knows his job, and that of the other two council members elected who aren’t a part of the original council, is that of rebuilding trust (in local government) stating, “I was one of you. That is why I ran for city council."

Detrick is right. In the past, the three city council members who have been replaced would have gone forward no matter what any of us thought. And if you didn’t like their decision their answer was, “Well, you can always move.”

I like this “move” better; we now have an Elk Grove City Council that “listens.”

Yuba City, Stockton Tops in Regional and National Unemployment Rates

Cold Case Sacramento Murder Solved

Murder from Last Year Solved


The Sacramento Police Department's Homicide Unit has arrested Hung Truong on suspicion of murdering of Hung Nguyen.

On Friday, January 11, 2008, at approximately 10:04 p.m., Hung Nguyen was loitering in the area of the A & A Market, located at 6645 Stockton Boulevard. Nguyen was found in the parking lot of the strip mall, unconscious and bleeding from a wound to his head. A piece of cement was located near Nguyen covered with blood. He was transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center and passed away five days later.

Homicide detectives took over the investigation. Sergeant Elmer Marzan, who was at the time a patrol officer in this neighborhood, assisted in identifying the victim, witnesses, and a possible suspect. Based on the investigation, detectives believe that Hung Truong and Hung Nguyen had been together just prior to the victim being found and had previously had verbal arguments. Detectives believe that an altercation occurred and Truong used a piece of cement and struck Nguyen in the head which later resulted in his death.

On April 23, 2009, at 8:30 a.m., Sacramento Police SWAT team members and Homicide Detectives arrested suspect Hung Truong at Las Palmas Avenue near Fairbanks without incident.

Sacramento Police Release Surveillance Images of Armed Robbery

The Sacramento Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying an armed robbery suspect.

On Saturday, April 4, 2009, at 3:10 p.m., a male suspect walked into the Fast Stop (5601 Wilkinson Street) and robbed the store clerk and a patron at gunpoint. The suspect ordered the victims to the ground and fled to an awaiting vehicle. He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during this hold-up.

The suspect was described as a male White adult, 22-29 years old, 5'8" - 5'10" in height and weighing between 145 - 165 pounds. He was wearing a long black wig, dark sunglasses, a blue Colts hat, a black hooded sweatshirt, white t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and black/white tennis shoes. He had a thin build and was unshaven. A witness believed the suspect had a faded tattoo of a red arrowhead on his left hand. The vehicle was described as a white 4-door, possibly an older Toyota Camry (square shape).

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Suspect Wanted for Late Night Sacramento Homicide

The Sacramento Police Department has identified and is looking for 30-year-old James Castillo for the murder of a 23-year-old Leopoldo Velasco III.

On Friday, April 24, 2009, at approximately 9:07 p.m., the Sacramento Police Department responded to 3900 block 17th Avenue on a shooting call with a person down. Officers arrived and found a male Hispanic who had been shot. The victim was transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center where he later died from his injuries. The victim was identified as Leopoldo Velasco III.

Homicide Detectives and the Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation. It is believed at this time that Velasco came over to visit his girlfriend when he got into an argument with a neighbor. The argument escalated resulting in Castillo shooting Velasco.

The suspect is identified as James Castillo, male Hispanic, 30 years old, 5'9", and 175 lbs. Castillo may be driving a 2004 white Dodge Intrepid.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

Assembly Member Huber To Conduct Elk Grove Town Hall Meeting

California assembly member Alyson Huber will conduct a town hall meeting in Elk Grove on Tuesday, May 7 from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Wackford Community Center on Bruceville Road.

Huber, who represents portions of Elk Grove as the state's 10th assembly district representative, will discuss education, foreclosures and unemployment. There will be a question and answer sesssion.

For more information contact Huber's capitol offices at (916)319-2010 or district office at (209)333-5330.

Elk Grove City Council Recognizes VIP's

As part of the National Volunteer Week, the Elk Grove City Council honored the Elk Grove Police Department Volunteers In Police Services, or VIP's program at last night's regular meeting.

VIP's is a volunteer program that offers assistance to both the police departments and the public in a variety of ways.

Presenting the proclamation was council member Gary Davis who praised the work VIP's do on behalf of the city. "What you all do is invaluable and the City of Elk Grove appreciates it," Davis said.

According to the Elk Grove Police, in 2008 VIP's volunteers donated a total of 11,464 hours of service to the department. They documented 2,142 crime reports and assisted over 8,939 individuals at the front counter, removed 6,806 illegal signs, returned 679 abandoned carts to local businesses and provided security vacation checks to 2,607 residents.

Police Chief Robert Lehner also commended the VIP's for their role in freeing resources so that police officers can more actively engage in law enforcement. "The level of service that the Elk Grove Police Department provides would not be what it is without the volunteers," Lehner said.

Lehner also pointed out the VIP's save the city a tremendous amount of money. "This [program] saves us hundreds of thousand of dollars a year," he said. "That's real money."

Individuals interested in finding about joining the VIP's program can contact volunteer coordinator Jessica Martinez at (916) 478-8107 or via e-mail at jmartinez@elkgrovepd.org

Next Hearing Date for Elk Grove Murder Suspect Scheduled

Accused murderer Raymond Thomas Vigel's next court hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 5 at 8:30 am. The hearing will be held in Dept. 63 at the Lorenzo Patino facility on 'I' Street in Sacramento.

Vigel is being held in conjunction with the early Sunday morning murder of Alison Joelle Freeseha. Vigel is being held without bail.

Passenger Dies As A Result Of Injuries Sustained In Four-Vehicle Rancho Cordova Accident

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, at 1:26 p.m., Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD) officers responded to the report of a multiple-vehicle accident at Coloma Road and Aramon Drive. Officers arrived and found four vehicles had been involved in the collision: a blue 1996 Ford Ranger, a gray 1988 Honda Prelude, a white 2004 Ford Escape, and a white 2004 International tow truck. The Ranger was occupied by a 16-year-old male driver, the Prelude was occupied by a 40-year-old male driver, the Escape was occupied by a 60-year-old female driver and her 40-year-old female daughter, the tow truck was occupied by a 46-year-old male driver.

Both the driver and passenger in the Escape, as well as the driver in the Ranger, suffered serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital by paramedics. Neither driver of other two vehicles involved was injured. On April 21, 2009, RCPD investigators were notified the 40-year-old female passenger had died as a result of her injuries.

The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. Investigators believe the Ranger was in front of the Prelude as both vehicles were traveling westbound on Coloma Road approaching Aramon Drive. For an unknown reason the driver of the Ranger applied his brakes and entered into a skid. The driver of the Prelude collided with the Ranger and both vehicles slid into oncoming traffic on Coloma Road. The Ranger collided with the Escape and the tow truck, both of which were traveling eastbound on Coloma Road.

A number of witnesses were interviewed at the scene, anyone else who may have witnessed this crash is urged to call RCPD Traffic Unit Detective Ron Brazell at (916) 875-9623. Upon the conclusion of the RCPD investigation, the report will be forwarded to the Sacramento County District Attorney to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

Elk Grove Police Issue Citations For Park Hours Violation

Elk Grove Police cited eight people, six adults and two juveniles, last night for violating the city ordinance on using park facilities after sunset. The suspects were cited on the 8800 block of El Toreador Way at 9:13 pm.

Officers also took a 16-year old male into custody for an outstanding arrest warrant. The teenager was transferred to juvenile hall.

Wilton Man Killed In Plane Crash Fondly Remembered By His Neighbor

Wilton resident David Hartley was killed in airplane crash this weekend. His neighbor John Pereira submitted this remembrance.

The Hartley's moved next door several years ago. They bought the Victorian style two story that had been vacant for months. The property was a bit run down and the house needed some remodeling, but they were up to the task.

Dave, Pam and their two girls Alicia and Michelle were new to country living so it seemed like it was going to take some getting used to. A bit of "Green Acres" I suppose.

I was always looking for an excuse to use my tractor so offered to help spruce up their new place. Dave hadn't bought a tractor yet, so it was always my way of inciting envy by offering to pull out those unsightly half dead trees.

Over the years we had an unspoken competition about how we kept our yards. I have to admit, although I had the head start, I think the rookie now veteran Dave may have one upped me in the end. I met my match with Pam in terms of the verbal sarcastic sparring we'd engage in. Often times our subtle digs and jabs were only understood by people like us who spoke that language. The girls grew up over night, one in college and one in high school.

My, how time flies.

Over the years we often talked about building a gate between the two properties so we wouldn't have to walk around to each other' s front gate to visit. Some how it never happened.

Dave was one of the guys that you couldn't help but like. He was an avid pilot and treated me to a Piper Cub plane ride a few years ago. We flew at a low elevation over the Consumnes River. What a great trip. I got to retry my hands at the seemingly toy plane's control stick.

We got a phone call this morning. Dave was killed in a plane crash yesterday. The world is different today. I really wish we had built the gate.........we had always talked about it.

Elk Grove Police Investigate Killing At House Party

Elk Grove Police are investigating a shooting early Sunday morning that left one person dead and three injured.

According to police reports, the shooting happened just before 1:00 am on the 6800 block of Paseo Del Sol Way. Officers found three males and one female had sustained wounds.

The unidentified female was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. The others were transported to local hospitals, one with serious injuries.

Police believe the incident may have stemmed from an argument just prior to the incident. Police do not have information as to who the shooter is and nobody has been taken into custody.



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