By Mary O’KEEFE

A 30-year-old Los Angeles man has been arrested by Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s deputies for indecent exposure and child annoyance after a 13-year-old girl reported he had exposed himself to her.

The young girl reported that she was walking her dog eastbound on Forest Green Lane in La Cañada Flintridge. She allegedly saw Rodriguez walk from behind a parked green pick-up that had gardening equipment in the bed of the truck.

He began to walk toward her, according to the sheriff’s report. She turned away from him but then turned back when he began making noises like yelling. She turned back and he was exposing himself to her. He motioned for her to walk toward him but she was frightened and ran home.

Deputies found Rodriguez in the area. He was arrested and taken to the station. Through an interpreter he said he was working in the backyard at the location and denied seeing the little girl.

A home near the reported incident had surveillance video capabilities. According to deputies, the video allegedly showed Rodriguez as the man that approached the young girl.

“He is still in custody with a no bail, immigration hold on him,” said Sgt. Ray Harley.

Sheriffs and GPD defeat Death Valley without injury in annual Baker to Vegas Relay.

By Brandon HENSLEY

Those 120 miles can wear men down like no other. If the runners don’t go down due to heat stroke, then surely the winds will get them, or the rain, or the snow. Some of the runners train year-round, only to eventually succumb to the elements and be airlifted by helicopter out of the desert.

Another one bites the dust indeed.

But this year, two local law enforcement agencies took part in that race last weekend, the annual Baker to Vegas run, with surprising results in regard to standing and health.

Personnel from the Glendale Police Department and the CV Altadena Sheriff’s stations ran the springtime race from Saturday evening to Sunday morning, and held up pretty well. The race, which started 27 years ago as a competition between the LAPD and L.A. Sheriff’s Department, has expanded worldwide, and that includes law enforcement of the foothills getting in on the arduous, grueling fun.

It starts from the California town of Baker and ends in Las Vegas. Each leg of the relay race consists of about six miles. This year the Glendale team finished third in their division and 25th overall out of 265 teams that entered.

“I was very proud of our team to come in 25th out of that many teams,” said Sgt. Tim Feely, team captain for Glendale.

Glendale, which has 150 officers, was in a division comprised of units with less than 200 officers. There are some divisions with departments of around a thousand officers.

Feely said this year the main hurdle was heat exhaustion. Runners ran in excess of over 95-degree heat.

“Sometimes there’s wind and we’ve had rain and snow and all that stuff; this year the only thing was the heat during the early stages and then at the end of the race,” he said. “We didn’t need to use any of our alternates. All the runners were able to do a fantastic job this year.”

Each team uses 20 runners and six alternates, and like Glendale, the CV-Altadena team didn’t have to use its alternates either.

“[We] came close a couple of times,” said David Gaisford, a detective for Altadena and who ran in the race.

CV-Altadena had to pair up because if both department’s small size. The team finished 141st overall.

“Some of your other stations – they have hundreds of deputies to choose from. For us, Crescenta Valley and Altadena, we’re so small, we have to have a joint team,” Gaisford said.

Gaisford’s team started training around last October, and mainly ran around the Rose Bowl.

But funding was another issue. The entry fee alone is $1,900. Then consider the extra trucks used to carry equipment and alternate runners, radios and other communication devices, water and fuel, and it is easy to see why officers have to do fundraising for the competition.

Communication equipment alone costs $600. Plus, there are helpers who make sure each runner is OK.

“We to have somebody there to catch them, make sure they’re all right and everything, give them water and all that good stuff,” Gaisford said.

The competition has expanded. Departments from Australia, Canada. Germany and England now take part in it. Feely can see how the towns they run through have changed over time as well.

“You can see how the towns have grown … there used to be nothing out [there], and now the towns have expanded,” he said.

Though the race takes a toll on a runner’s body, the annual race always has officers coming out of it feeling prideful and closer to one another.

“It’s an awesome time to get together and show a lot of camaraderie and teamwork to achieve this goal,” said Feely.

“It’s a big deal for them,” said Gaisford of his teammates. “They like the competition; they like to stay in shape. It’s pretty big event for them.”

By Mary O’KEEFE

Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station detectives are asking residents to be aware of people knocking on doors in local neighborhoods claiming to be looking for a friend.

Four residential burglaries occurred in La Cañada on Thursday, March 31 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. One of the homes was in the 4800 block of Hillard Avenue, one in the 4800 block of Grand Avenue and two homes in the 4900 block of Indianola Way. At one of the homes on Indianola Way a man reported hearing someone knocking on his front door. He had decided not to answer it at first but the persistent knocking, jiggling of the doorknob and his dog barking caused him to go to the door.

“He saw two women had opened his door and were about six inches into his [entryway],” said Sgt. Ray Harley of the CV sheriff’s Station.

The women are described as Hispanic, well dressed, between the ages of 18 and 20. The resident asked the women what they wanted and they said they were looking for a friend by the name of Claire. The man told the women there was no one by that name at his home and the women left. He did not call the sheriff’s station at that time.

“We want to remind people when they see strangers asking for someone who does not live in the neighborhood [that] they need to contact [the sheriff’s station],” Harley said.

Often people who plan to burglarize a residence will knock on the resident’s door to determine if anyone is home. It is a way of casing the neighborhood to see what homes to burglarize, Harley added.

“[Burglary suspects] often use women to make the [initial] contact because they are less threatening,” he said.

Detectives think there may be residents in the area that either saw the women or noticed a strange car in their neighborhood.

“It is likely that these women may have been knocking on several other doors. Residents might be able to give us information and some might have them on a [home] video surveillance,” Harley said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the CV Sheriff’s Station at (818) 248-3464.

By Mary O’KEEFE

Six members of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff Explorers team returned from a competition in Chandler, Ariz. bringing with them two first place awards.

Out of about 900 Explorers from 50 different law enforcement posts, the Crescenta Valley Sheriff Explorers brought home two first prize trophies from the 13th Annual Tactical Competition.

This is the sixth year the Explorers from the station have competed in the fundraiser/competition sponsored by the Chandler Police Department.

“We had a good eight scenarios we did as a team, all SWAT [Special Weapons and Tactics] related, all tactical,” said Explorer Steven Cronkhite.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff Explorer program began in 1969. It is not a program for the lazy or unmotivated. The program is for boys or girls, ages 15 to 21 years old. They must have at least a “C” average in high school and have a good moral character without any serious arrest record. Deputy Explorers must meet the same basic physical requirements as a deputy sheriff, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website.

Throughout the year community members have seen the Explorers helping with events like the CV Station’s Rummage Sale and delivering gifts to those in need during the holidays. But they are also out on patrol with deputies from the station and often work traffic control like during the flooding on Ocean View Boulevard.

They train like deputies and must attend a sheriff’s academy. It is an 18-week program and in the end they will have served over 180 hours just in training at the academy. Then they move on to the station and the volunteer hours continue. It is that training and a serious mind set that prepares them for the Chandler competition. Although it is an event they take very seriously it is also an event they wait for with excitement throughout the year.

They compete in a variety of scenarios from Hostage Rescue to serving a warehouse warrant. Each time they are asked to draw on all their training and experience they have learned in their years as an Explorer.

The Explorers brought home the first place trophy in the Sniper Challenge and the Laser Quest. In the Sniper Challenge, Explorers were given a picture of an action figure that would be their target. They then had to go through a series of exercises.

“It consisted of two of our Explorers with long [pellet] rifles that went along a designated route. We had to find markers and the best areas to find cover,” Cronkhite said.

The two members made their way to a designated area where there were several items under a blanket. The blanket was pulled away and Explorers had a minute to memorize all of the unrelated items, which included of red dye, a glasscutter, lighter and a dime. They then had to continue their sniper quest.

“It is a mind teaser that makes you think about other things while you are trying to take out a threat,” said Deputy Jeff Martin, mentor for the CV Explorer program.

When the Explorers reached the targeted area they were faced with photos of 15 to 20 different action figures. They had to determine their real target and respond quickly.

After they had taken care of the target they returned to the area where the items had been hidden and recount as many items as they remembered.

“Sometimes you get tunnel vision so this is an important exercise,” Cronkhite added.

Explorer Tommy Halaszynski said the exercise helps members learn to multitask, yet stay focused on their mission.

In second first place award came from the Laser Quest. This was a laser tag, a really good laser tag game.

“It took place in a two-story, 8,000 square foot warehouse that was full of fog and loud music,” Martin said.

Each team had a specific color on their shoulder. The purpose was to tag as many as they could of the other team without getting tagged themselves.

“Most teams had 12 to 20 people, we had six guys,” Martin said.

The judges for the competition were working law enforcement officers that worked in the division they were judging. SWAT members judged that portion of the competition.

“[The team] had to negotiate in a hostage situation. The judges were part of a [law enforcement] negotiating team,” Martin said.

The warehouse warrant was serving a warrant on a methamphetamine lab. In Hogan’s Alley members had to quickly determine who were the innocent and who were the suspects.

Because it was set up and judged by law enforcement that practice and use these methods on a daily basis the Explorers were trained in a real world setting.

Cronkhite added members return with knowledge of what worked and what didn’t. They share what they learn with other team members and adjust their training accordingly.

There are four new members that have finished the Sheriff’s Academy and will take their place as Explorers. All listened to the tales of the competition and all were ready to participate in next year’s event.

Four more recruits are in their third week of the academy and destined to see it through.

The Sheriff’s Explorer program operates on what grants they can get awarded to them and donations. It offers its members a chance to be part of a team.

“To be part of something more,” Halaszynski said.

They learn leadership, teamwork and the value of community service. They help the community in many ways including as extra support for the sheriff’s along with the sheriff volunteers.

Funds are needed for competitions like that at Chandler, field trips and equipment costs. Anyone who would like to support the Crescenta Valley Sheriff Explorers can contact Dep. Jeff Martin at (818) 248-3464.

By Misty DUPLESSIS

On Dec. 6 Crescenta Valley High School launched its annual competition to raise items for the yearly Fall Food, Toy and Money Drive. On Dec. 15 students anxiously awaited the results of whose class would be named the winner of this year’s collections.

The rules were simple. All second period classes were challenged to bring in donated items including toys, canned goods and money for the Sheriff’s Toy and Food Drive. Items donated were assigned various point values and the class with the most points would be named the winner. This year’s winners, classes that ranked in first, second and third place, would be treated to breakfast burritos of their choice.

The classes worked to generate excitement for the cause and to demonstrate support for the drive. For example, to show its dedication in collecting items, Derrel Furtani’s class customized team T-shirts for the drive.

Students were excited to learn that points were doubled for items received on the last day of collections. As the competition drew to a close, Mathew Schick’s Wind Ensemble class was crowned this year’s winners with 18,818 points.

This was just one more victory for Schick, whose classes for over five years have earned the most points for their charitable efforts.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring stuff in because it’s very important, this year especially. Students brought nice food and toys,” Schick said. He enjoys participating in the friendly rivalry for the cause.

Class secretary and student of Schick’s winning class Jasmine Gatto-McCann explained how her class was able to triumph.

“Mr. Schick involves all his classes. Our class lacked so we got together the donated money and went out and bought toys [like] dolls for the girls and hot wheels for the boys,” said Gatto-McCann who was one of the students that helped organize the class collections.

John Pehar’s class oversaw the operation and worked diligently in keeping the project organized and the competition fair. Pehar expressed his appreciation for the teacher and student efforts.

Senior Kelsey Knapp assisted in directing drop offs and also helped with making sure students were aware of the details of the drive, proclaiming the charity a success based on student participation.

This year CV High School raised nearly $3,000. Sherriff’s Toy and Food Drive organizer Officer Jorge Valdivia was confident that the items collected would fill the 10 remaining bags that the sheriff volunteers needed to fill for delivery on Saturday morning, Dec. 18. Valdivia expressed
his gratitude to the staff, students and their families who helped the sheriff’s drive feed more than 200 families and give over 500 children an even more meaningful holiday season.

ASB cabinet members Abby Gabor and Madison Huske reminded students that the deeper purpose behind the food drive is that needy families benefit from student involvement and that because of this, “Everyone is a winner.”

By Mary O’KEEFE

Deputies from Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station arrested three suspects after finding tools commonly used in burglaries, stolen property and drugs.

At 2:50 p.m. on Saturday, deputies responded to a call at Briggs and Olive avenues about three males in a vehicle that may have been stolen.

The three, Ian Kuh, 18, of Sunland, James Martin, 18, of La Crescenta and a 17-year-old boy also from La Crescenta were found on Rosemont Avenue and Rockdell Street.

It appeared that Kuh was under the influence of a controlled substance, said Sgt. Ray Harley.

After an investigation, deputies discovered a black bag with several tools typically used in burglaries.

“They found a bag that contained burglary tools and some [allegedly] stolen property,” Harley said. “Some markings on some of the items led [investigators] to a victim in Los Angeles that said his home had been burglarized.”

Deputies also allegedly found Martin and Kuh in possession of drugs.

Kuh was arrested on being under the influence of a controlled substance, possessing burglary tools and receiving stolen property. Martin was arrested on possession of methamphetamine and concentrated cannabis, possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property. The juvenile was arrested for being in possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property.

Deputies also discovered ammunition in a small bag, but no guns were found.

(Concentrated cannabis means the separated resin, whether in crude or purified form, from the cannabis
plant.)

By Mary O’KEEFE

A local resident wants to warn friends and neighbors of an apparent phone scam targeting grandparents.

“I got a call and the [man on the other end] said, ‘Hello grandma,’” said La Crescenta resident Loraine Locke.

Locke said the man sounded very confident as he pretended to be her grandson but never gave his name. For a moment he did sound like her grandson.

“He said he was on this trip to Spain and was having a wonderful time. I said, ‘You know this doesn’t sound like you,’” she said.

Without missing a beat he said he had a cold and wasn’t feeling well. He invented a story that wove a trip to Spain against the wishes of his mother to getting in with the wrong crowd and ending up with being arrested.

“He said, ‘Last night my friend and I met up with a couple of guys and there was marijuana in the trunk of the car. Since Mom didn’t want me to come I really need the cash,’” Locke said.

There were several clues during the conversation when Locke knew it wasn’t her grandson but the caller was so convincing she wondered what his angle was – then he asked for money.

She told him she would not send him a dime and that he should call his mother because it is the parent’s responsibility. He got angry with her and pleaded but then finally hung up.

Locke contacted the sheriff’s station however the caller had not broken any laws, she was told.

“I just want people to know this kind of scam happens. It really shook me up and then made me so mad,” she added.

Her concern is that the person that called her may talk someone into giving him money.

Det. Frank Diana at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station said this type of scam is common. With Internet access it is easy to find information on anyone including phone numbers, age and family members.

“It is similar to the elderly scam where someone comes to the door ask for help looking for a [lost pet] or asks to use the restroom and then [steals items from the home],” Diana said.  “And these guys [may not] be living in this country.”

There is another ploy these criminals use that involves the victim winning a prize like the lottery they forgot they signed up for. A check will be sent to the victim who has been instructed to cash the check and send halfback to the sender. Later the check is usually found to be fake.

Diana is working on one case where an elderly resident received similar information as Locke’s caller relayed. She sent the caller over $3,000.

“She got swindled,” he said.

In this case the caller was so good at making that family connection he even mentioned their dog.

“He said something about the dog, the woman said she remembered the dog and the caller then asked what the dog’s name was,” Diana said.

At that point the familiarity grows because now the caller and victim are talking about a beloved family pet.

Diana warns anyone who gets this type of call to request a call back number.

“If it is a scam they usually won’t give you a call back number,” he added.

In addition try to get as much information as possible concerning the story and request for money.

“Before you do anything check with family members and find out where the grandchildren are,” he said.

If the caller tells the victim he is in jail find out the name of the prison and a number they can contact.

If a resident feels they have been a victim of this type of crime they should contact the CV Sheriff’s Station and ask to have the incident notated.

“In [Locke’s case] a crime wasn’t completed but we do document these [incidents],” Diana said.

And tell your friends like Locke is now doing.

“I just want everyone to know that this is happening,” she said.

By Mary O’KEEFE

A woman was arrested for burglary and false imprisonment on Tuesday after she allegedly entered a La Cañada home and threatened former roommates.

Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station received a call at 8:22 a.m. for help from two women who had reportedly locked themselves in the bathroom of their home in the 4800 block of Alta Canyada Road in La Cañada.

Christina Sica, 22, of Arroyo Grande was a former roommate of one of the victims. She had allegedly broken into the home and began yelling and threatening the women.

The victims reported to sheriff’s dispatch that Sica frequently carried a folding knife.  Deputies responded, entered the home and freed the trapped women safely. Sica was not found immediately however the victims were certain she was still in the house, stated sheriff officials.

“[Deputies] found her hiding in a closet,” said Sgt. Ray Harley. “She did not have a knife.”

Sica was arrested for burglary, entering a structure with the intent to commit a felony, and false imprisonment.

B

y Mary O’KEEFE

A string of local burglaries may have come to an end with the arrest on Sunday of a La Crescenta resident.

On Sunday at about 4:40 p.m. Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station received a call from a witness who had recognized a man, later identified as Anders Goodman, 24, of La Crescenta, walking down the street carrying a duffle bag similar to one that had been stolen from the witness in a burglary that occurred last week, said Sgt. Ray Harley, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, CV Station.

“[Deputies] responded and contacted Goodman while he was walking on Francis near La Crescenta avenues,” Harley said.

“I responded to the call,” said Deputy Bonnie Jones.

“He was not very cautious. He was carrying a duffle bag he had stolen from a home he had just walked past,” she added.

Goodman noticed Jones’ patrol vehicle and walked down a driveway as if he had found his destination.

“When I found him he was wearing a woman’s jacket, carrying the duffle bag, had a camera around his neck and his pockets were stuffed full of [items],” Jones said.

He allegedly asked the deputy what the problem was, still trying to maintain an innocent tone.

“The homeowner came out and wondered what was going on,” she said.

The resident did not know Goodman.

“While we were investigating a man from down the street came up and asked what we were doing. I told him and he said his car had been burglarized a few days prior. He hadn’t reported it,” Jones said.

The man described his missing iPod and umbrella which the deputies found later when they searched Goodman’s residence.

Goodman also matched a description of someone who had attempted to break into a La Crescenta home on Sunday.

“[On Sunday] there were three residential burglaries reported in La Crescenta,” Harley said. “There was another one on Saturday and one on Friday.”

The recovered property has been identified and organized.

“It took me 11 hours to [catalog] all the items we found,” Jones said.

Investigators are still trying to match items with victims.

“I would think he is responsible for 15 or more residential and vehicle burglaries,” Harley said.

“We are still investigating,” Harley added.

Goodman was out on parole.  He served a partial sentence and was released early.

Jones has been a victim of burglary in the past.

“You don’t know how much sweeter it is to catch the [burglar],” she said.

Detectives

“You

Anyone in La Crescenta who has been a recent victim of a burglary, vehicle or residence, can contact Det. Frank Diana (818) 248-3464.

By Mary O’KEEFE

On Oct. 7 the CV Sheriffs Station was evacuated from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. due to smoke resulting from a fire caused by a short in the station’s air conditioning unit.
Smoke filled the station causing personnel to be evacuated. L.A. county fire responded. One inmate in the jail at the time was transported to another facility.
No injuries were reported.