Mountain Echo Newspaper

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12/22/2019

On Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 1628 hours, deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office City of Shasta Lake Station responded to a report of collision involving an Amtrak train and a motorcyclist. The location of the collision was south of Shasta Dam Boulevard and west of La Mesa Avenue.

Deputies and medical personnel responded and performed live saving measures; however, the operator of the motorcycle succumbed to his injuries on scene. No employees or passengers of Amtrak where injured as a result of this collision. The identity of the motorcyclist will be released at a later time, once next of kin has been notified.

This collision is currently being investigated by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Union Pacific Police and Amtrak Police.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact SHACOM at 530-245-6540.

12/16/2019

“Robbery Suspect Apprehended”

On Sunday, December 15, 2019, at approximately 2021 hours deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported robbery at the Pine Grove Valero, 2725 Cascade Blvd in the City of Shasta Lake. An employee at the location reported a white male adult entered the business and stole items from inside. After becoming aware of the theft, the employee exited the business and contacted the male who was still on scene. Upon confronting the male suspect, the employee requested the suspect return the stolen items. At this time the suspect removed a hatchet which, he had concealed in his boot and advanced toward the employee wielding the hatchet. The employee retreated back into the store and the suspect fled the location on a bicycle.

Deputies arrived in the area shortly after the call was received and began actively searching for the suspect. After a review of video footage and based on an earlier call in the vicinity, deputies recognized the suspect as 25-year-old Jan Michael Chase Oostermeyer, a transient from southern California.

At approximately 2130 hours, a deputy located Oostermeyer riding his bike on Old Oregon Trail near Paso Robles Avenue. Oostermeyer was taken into custody without incident. He was found to be in possession of the hatchet and items taken from the business. Oostermeyer was arrested and transported to the Shasta County Jail where he was booked for 212.5(c) PC- Second Degree Robbery.

12/15/2019

On Saturday, 12/14/2019, at approximately 0923 hours, deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, City of Shasta Lake Division, were dispatched to the 17000 block of Nellie Bell Lane in regards to an abandoned vehicle left idling in the area. While responding to this call for service, deputies received a separate call for service in a wooded area near Montego Road regarding an unknown male subject that could be heard yelling for help from a ravine. When deputies responding to the area of Montego Road arrived, they could hear the male calling for help. Deputies quickly located the male who they recognized from numerous law enforcement contacts as Rusty Michael Toso, age 41. Toso is currently on felony probation for 2800.2(a) CVC: Attempting to evade a peace officer while driving recklessly. Since 10/19/2019, Toso has been arrested four separate times in or near the City of Shasta Lake. In each of those arrests, Toso has possessed methamphetamine, been determined to be under the influence of methamphetamine, or both.

When deputies contacted Toso in the wooded area, they determined he needed no medical attention and noticed Toso was displaying objective signs/symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Toso explained to deputies on scene that he had gone for “a hike” and was unable to locate his vehicle where he parked it. While speaking with Toso, a deputy arrived at the abandoned vehicle and determined, through a registration check, it was registered to Toso. The distance from Toso’s vehicle to where he was located was approximately one mile.

The deputy with the vehicle conducted a probation search of the vehicle’s interior pursuant to Toso’s probation terms. During the probation search, the deputy located approximately 3.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine, two methamphetamine pipes, and a used hypodermic syringe/needle. After locating the contraband in Toso’s vehicle, Toso was placed under arrest for the following misdemeanor charges: 11377(a) H&S: Possession of a controlled substance, 11364(a) H&S: Possession of drug paraphernalia, and 647(f) PC: Public intoxication. Toso was then transported to the Shasta County Jail.

Based upon Toso consistently possessing methamphetamine, deputies then responded to Toso’s listed probation address on the 20000 block of Copper Canyon Road where they conducted a second probation search. While at Toso’s residence, deputies located a 12 gauge shotgun with a sawed-off barrel. Toso was previously convicted of a felony which makes him prohibited from owning or possessing fi****ms. Through further investigation, deputies determined that Toso possessed the sawed-off shotgun illegally and added the following felony charges: 29800(a)(1) PC: Possession of a firearm as a prohibited person, 33215 PC: Possession of a short barrel shotgun, and 1203.2 PC: Violation of probation. Toso was booked into the Shasta County Jail for the above listed charges and released to jail staff.

12/07/2019

On Friday, December 6, at 7:18 p.m., deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Division conducted a probation search at the residence of Brad Wion, who resides on the 6200 block of Oak Street, Anderson. Wion is currently on probation through Shasta County for 496(a) PC-Possession of Stolen Property. Wion was contacted at the residence, and during a search of his person, deputies located 3.44 ounces (97.8 grams) of methamphetamine and 24.66 grams of he**in. Deputies also located packaging and scales within the residence which are indicative of the sale and distribution of narcotics.

During a subsequent search of the residence, deputies located several items of property which they recognized as stolen property from recent burglary and theft cases. Deputies recovered over $2,500.00 worth of stolen property within the residence and collected it for return back to the rightful property owners.

Wion was transported to the Shasta County Jail where he was booked for the following charges: 4024.2(c) PC-Failing Work Release (Misdemeanor), 496(a) PC-Possession of Stolen Property (Felony), 11366 HS-Maintaining a Residence for the Use and Sale of Narcotics (Felony), 11378 HS-Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale (Felony), 11351 HS-Possession of He**in for Sale (Felony). A photograph of Wion is attached for reference.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank SHASCOM dispatchers for their assistance during this incident. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with further information regarding this incident to call SHASCOM at (530) 245-6540.

11/29/2019

On Thursday, 11/28/2019, at approximately 1912 hours, deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, City of Shasta Lake Division, were dispatched to the 4300 block of Meade Street in regards to an intoxicated subject who discharged a firearm inside his residence with two other occupants inside. The subject was identified as Kenneth George Walsh, age 54. Walsh was recently arrested for DUI and also had a misdemeanor warrant issued for his arrest regarding his failure to complete Sheriff’s Office work days as a result of his DUI conviction.

Upon arrival at the residence, Walsh was observed moving around inside but would not comply with orders to exit the residence. Walsh eventually opened the front door to the residence but would not leave the threshold. Walsh refused to comply with orders to show his hands and kept his right hand concealed inside the threshold of the door. It was unknown if Walsh was still armed with the firearm or not based upon this action. Deputies attempted to deescalate the situation with Walsh by establishing dialogue with him. Walsh continued to be uncooperative and began threatening the safety of deputies by telling them they would regret not leaving the residence. Walsh continued to escalate his aggressive behavior by making more threats towards deputies. At one point, Walsh exited the residence onto the front porch. Deputies attempted to detain him but Walsh retreated back into the residence. When deputies attempted to detain Walsh, it appeared he was unarmed. Deputies seized this opportunity to pursue Walsh and resolve the contact peacefully. Deputies followed Walsh into the residence where Walsh armed himself with a metal baseball bat. Walsh raised the baseball bat above his head in a threatening manner. Deputies were close enough to immediately engage Walsh with physical contact and attempted to detain him. Walsh continued to violently resist deputies and was ultimately detained in handcuffs after the use of a less-lethal Taser device. Walsh was then placed under arrest for 69 PC: Willfully attempting to deter law enforcement from performing official duties by the means of any threat or violence (felony), 417(a)(1) PC: Exhibit a deadly weapon in a threatening manner (misdemeanor), and the warrant issued for his arrest. Walsh was then medically cleared and transported to the Shasta County Jail where he was released to jail staff.

Deputies located live and expended ammunition casings inside the residence but were unable to locate the handgun. Follow up investigation is being conducted in regards to the other two occupants of the residence being victims during this incident. Additional charges may be filed with the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office after the conclusion of the follow up investigation.

11/27/2019

On Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at approximately 3:00 PM, SHASCOM dispatch center received a call stating a male subject was in a truck, parked on Old Oregon Trail near Shasta College, pointing a gun at himself threatening su***de.

Deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and found the subject, later identified as Vincent Siaz, in his truck. Siaz was parked in a dirt lot at the corner of Collyer Rd. and Old Oregon Trail. Siaz was refusing to come out of the truck per deputy’s orders. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Redding Police Department (RPD) and Cal Fire were called to assist with closing the roads leading into the area.

A deputy with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Hostage Negotiation Team called Siaz on his cellular phone and began trying to deescalate the situation and talk him out of the truck. Siaz told the deputy he was armed with an 8mm rifle and wanted to “Go down in a blaze of glory.”

Although Shasta College was on Thanksgiving break they still had staff on campus. The college was asked to lockdown until the situation was resolved.

After several minutes of negotiations, at approximately 3:34 PM Siaz peacefully exited the truck. Deputies searched the truck and found an 8mm rifle as well as ammunition for the rifle on the passenger seat next to where Siaz had been seated. A semi-auto pistol was also found in the cab of the truck as well as two more rifles in the bed of the truck.

Siaz was taken to a local hospital on a 5150 W&I mental health evaluation hold due to being a danger to himself and others.

11/24/2019

On Saturday, 11/23/2019, at approximately 0820 hours, deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, City of Shasta Lake Division, served a search warrant at a residence located on the 3900 block of Red Bluff Street, City of Shasta Lake. The search warrant was in regards to suspected narcotics trafficking by Yazmine Anona Billy, age 25.

During the service of the search warrant, the occupants of the residence would not comply with the orders given by deputies to open the door. Billy was then observed discarding unknown items out of a window of the residence. Those items were later recovered and determined to be approximately two grams of he**in and approximately 8.5 grams of methamphetamine. When deputies entered the residence, two more subjects were encountered and detained. Those subjects were later determined to not be involved and were released on scene.

During the search of the residence, numerous items of drug paraphernalia were located throughout the home. Multiple Ziploc style bags were also located floating in the toilet bowl which appeared to be hastily discarded. Statements collected and evidence recovered on scene led to Billy being placed under arrest for the following charges: 11366 H&S: Maintaining a residence for drug use or sales (felony), 11378 H&S: Possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of sales (felony), 11351 H&S: Possession of he**in for the purpose of sales (felony), 135 PC: Destruction of evidence (misdemeanor), and 11364(a) H&S: Possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor). Billy was then transported to the Shasta County Jail and released to jail staff.

11/23/2019

NEWS RELEASE
**Child Sexual Abuse Investigation**

On Wednesday November 20th, 2019, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of 57 year old, Alfred Hoehl of Shasta Lake, molesting a 13 year old female family member. The Victim’s name will remain confidential due to the nature of the investigation.

On Thursday, November 21st, detectives from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation. Detectives contacted Hoehl and he was interviewed regarding the allegations. He agreed to voluntarily speak with detectives and ultimately confessed to molesting the child on many occasions in the past year.

Hoehl was arrested and transported to the Shasta County Jail, where he was booked for three counts of 288(a) PC, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14. One count of 288.5 Continuous sexual abuse of a child. Three counts of Oral copulation, with a child under 14 years old. Six counts of Pe*******on with a foreign object on a child under 14 years old. Hoehl remains in custody with his bail set at $850,000.00.

The Major Crimes Unit is urging anyone that has information about this incident to contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or by email at [email protected].

11/22/2019

On Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 1856 hours, Deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of shots fired occurring at a residence in the area of the 13000 block of Beacon Street, Shasta Lake. When deputies arrived to the residence, they spoke with a resident, who is also the victim in this case. The Victim reported he was assaulted by his adult brother, Terry Fannin (Aged 56), with a blunt force object during an argument where Fannin was damaging a fence on the property. Fannin did not live at the residence. The Victim said during the argument, he discharged a firearm into the ground to scare Fannin away from the residence and stop the assault against him. The Victim declined medical attention.

Fannin was later contacted at the Circle K gas station, located at 4833 Shasta Dam Blvd, Shasta Lake. Fannin was interviewed regarding the incident and admitted to being at the residence destroying property and being involved in an argument with the Victim. Fannin was arrested for 245(a)(1) PC-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and booked into the Shasta County Jail.

11/20/2019

Sacramento – Both CAL FIRE and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services are preparing for the potential Critical Fire Weather for areas of Northern California. The National Weather Service is predicting gusty and dry offshore winds and low humidity beginning early Wednesday morning and into Thursday.

“The tragic fires that have occurred during this time of year, should reminder everyone to be prepared for the unexpected. We have increased our staffing, but need the public to remain vigilant as dry north winds can increase the chance of a spark igniting a major fire,” said CAL FIRE Chief Thom Porter.

“We are urging all of those in the Public Safety Power Shutoff impact areas to take action now to prepare for extended periods of no power,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “We are coordinating closely with our state and local government counterparts to ensure all emergency response assets are made available to mitigate the impacts of this wind event.”

During times of elevated fire danger, everyone is asked to exercise extreme caution when in or near the wildland or open areas to prevent sparking a fire. One Less Spark, means One Less Wildfire. A few helpful reminders and safety tips include:
• Don’t mow or trim dry grass on windy days
• Never pull your vehicle over in dry grass
• Ensure campfires are allowed, and if so, be sure to extinguish them completely
• Report any suspicious activities to prevent arson
For more fire prevention tips and evacuation steps visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

CAL FIRE - Increased staffing as follows:

Staff ALL CAL FIRE Crews and one STL per camp 24hrs/day
Staff all CAL FIRE Dozers 24hrs/day
Staff ECC & OCC with additional support as appropriate
Staff Region Intel as appropriate
Early up Air Attack base with 1 Air Attack, 2 Tankers & base personnel as needed at 5 northern CAL FIRE air bases.
Marin staff 2 Mt. Tam Crews 24hrs/day

11/16/2019

On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 2026 hours, deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic enforcement stop at the Happy Valley Market, which is located at 6644 Happy Valley Road, Anderson. The vehicle, a red colored Ford Mustang, was occupied by a female driver and a male passenger. The passenger of the vehicle, Keith Schatek, age 56, from Oakley, CA was contacted during the traffic stop.

During the contact, the deputy utilized his K-9 partner “Fritz,” and K-9 “Fritz” alerted to the presence of a controlled substance inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and Deputies located 1.4 pounds of packaged methamphetamine within a hidden compartment of a tote bag, as well as approximately 7 pounds of processed and packaged ma*****na inside a luggage bag. Both were concealed in the trunk of the vehicle. After further investigation, it was discovered the passenger, Schatek, was the owner of the bags.

Schatek was arrested and transported to the Shasta County Jail where he was booked for 11378 HS-Possession of a Controlled Substance for sales, 11379(a) HS-Transportation of a Controlled Substance, 11366.8(a) HS-Storing Controlled Substance in hidden compartment, and 11360(a) HS-Marijuana sales.

SINTF Agents with assistance from the Redding Police Department Investigations Division, Neighborhood Police Unit, and C...
11/15/2019

SINTF Agents with assistance from the Redding Police Department Investigations Division, Neighborhood Police Unit, and California Highway Patrol Investigative Services Unit served a search warrant at 1613 Kenyon drive Wednesday morning. Shawn Evan Copelin, 37 years, was the subject named in the search warrant, he also had a felony warrant for his arrest for failing to appear from previous arrests.

Agents located 1 short barreled assault rifle, 3 additional assault weapons all banned under California law, and a stolen hand gun, 1 ½ lbs. of Methamphetamine and approximately ¾ of a pound of He**in, along with $6,600 cash were also seized. See attached picture.

Copelin is a previously convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history. He was booked into Shasta County Jail on numerous charges including; Possession of He**in for sale, Possession of Methamphetamine for sale, Felon in possession of fi****ms, and Possession of Assault Weapons.

Agents obtained a bail enhancement due to the fact Copelin has 4 previous cases filed with the District Attorney’s Office since May of this year. Bail was set at 300,000.00. Each of those cases involved Narcotics possessed for Sale and Copelin being in possession

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