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Crime Tracker

Newsom Expands CHP Crime Suppression Statewide, But What About the Central Coast?

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a major statewide expansion of California Highway Patrol crime suppression teams, though the Central and South Coast is not currently included in the rollout. “The CHP-Coastal Division, which includes San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties, is not part of this deployment,” said Jordan

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Investigators Unravel Organized Crime Ring at Home Depot Stores in Several Southern Counties

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — In a press conference Tuesday morning, officials detailed the crime ring unraveled by “Operation Killswitch.” “This wasn’t shoplifting. It was a criminal enterprise that allegedly stole millions of dollars. And it was finally stopped here in Ventura County.“ said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task

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Stearns Wharf Murder Trial Enters Final Stages

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Tuesday marked Day 8 of the trial of Jiram Tenorio Ramón, who is accused of shooting and killing Robert Gutierrez, a bystander from Camarillo, during a gang dispute at Stearn’s Wharf in December 2022. Ramón’s attorney, George Steele, says his client fired in self-defense. On Tuesday, Steele called firearm specialist Daniel O’Kelly to

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Key Witness Discusses Gang Involvement in Day 7 of Stearns Wharf Murder Trial

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Jiram Tenorio Ramón is accused of shooting and killing Robert Gutierrez, a bystander from Camarillo, at the wharf in December of 2022. Prosecutors say the shooting was part of a confrontation between rival gangs. Tenorio Ramón’s attorney argues the other gang fired first, and his client shot in self-defense. The majority of the morning

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Key Witness Testifies Wednesday in Stearns Wharf Murder Trial in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—Jiram Tenorio Ramon is accused of shooting and killing Robert Gutierrez, a bystander from Camarillo, at the wharf in December of 2022. Prosecutors say the shooting was part of a confrontation between rival gangs. Tenorio Ramon’s attorney argues the other gang fired first, and his client shot in self-defense. Multiple people were called to the

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Murder trial for deadly shooting at Stearn’s Wharf showcases video evidence to jury

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—The sound five consecutive gun shots played in court Monday. The evidence was obtained from multiple cameras and pieced together by detectives. They synced audio of the gunshots from outside Chad’s on Cabrillo with footage from dome cameras near the kiosk on Stearn’s Wharf. Jiram Tenorio Ramon is accused of shooting and killing Robert Gutierrez at

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Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office reacts to violent home invasion at Ty Warner estate

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.— The attack happened Wednesday, May 21st around 4:30 pm at Beanie Babies founder Ty Warner’s mansion on Fairway Road.  Forty two year old Russell Maxwell Phay was arrested after authorities say he jumped from a second-floor window. Officers found Linda Malek-Aslanian severely beaten. She ended up in a coma due to a brain injury, which

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Russell Phay Faces Multiple Charges After Violent Attack at Ty Warner’s Montecito Home

MONTECITO, Calif. – The Nevada man accused of violently assaulting a woman on May 21 and barricading himself inside Ty Warner’s Montecito estate during a standoff with law enforcement has been charged with first-degree attempted murder. Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced the charges Friday against Russell Maxwell Phay, 42, of Henderson,

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New Federal program aims to counteract California’s sanctuary state policies, locals react

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Operation Guardian Angel is a pilot program launched by Federal prosecutors on May 10th. The program aims to counter California’s sanctuary policies by using federal arrest warrants to take custody of certain undocumented immigrants in local jails. California’s sanctuary laws limit how local law enforcement can work with federal immigration authorities. “What

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