Posts in category Public Information

Illegal Marijuana Cultivation Suspect Arrested

February 23, 2021 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF INCIDENT: February 23, 2021

TYPE OF INCIDENT: H&S 11358 – Cultivation of Marijuana and PC 498(d) – Theft of Utilities over $400.00

SUSPECT: Huang, Zhisong – 37 years old

RESUME OF INCIDENT

On 02/22/2021, The Ridgecrest Police Department was made aware of a possible illegal marijuana cultivation at a residence in the City of Ridgecrest. Detectives began surveilling the location and observed a subject leaving the residence. A traffic stop was conducted on the subject, Zhisong Huang (non-Ridgecrest resident).

Detective Hallmark authored a search warrant for the residence. The warrant was executed on the residence and an extensive cultivation operation was located inside. It was determined that the suspect(s) illegally bypassed the electrical panel to power the operation. During the search, Detectives/Officers seized over 600 mature marijuana plants (approximate weight of marijuana = 1 ton) and cultivation equipment. The seized marijuana’s street value is estimated to be worth 2 million dollars. Huang was arrested and booked for the listed charges. PHOTO CAPTION: Photo depicts 20% of the overall grow.

Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Investigations Sergeant R. Marrone

Event, Press Release

Say No To Drinking And Driving Super Bowl Sunday

February 3, 2021 Written by Micah Hall

Event, Press Release

Online Child Predators Arrested After Several Months Of Undercover Operations

January 15, 2021 Written by Micah Hall

DATE(S) OF EVENT: September 2020 through December 2020

CHARGES: See Below Narrative

LOCATION: City of Ridgecrest

SUSPECT(S) ARRESTED: See Below

Over the past several months, Detectives with the Ridgecrest Police Department conducted an ongoing undercover operation, which was specifically meant to target online child predators or those that wished to exploit children. During this time, Detectives posed as minor children on various social media sites/applications, where adults were engaging in sexually explicit conversations and wanted to meet the child with sexual intent, along with traveling from various areas to meet.

While conducting this operation, Detectives with the Ridgecrest Police Department arrested 8 suspects ranging from ages 24-49 years old.

These are the following suspects that were arrested during the course of this operations:

– Date of arrest – September 12 2020 – Brian Ballard (32 YOA), Ridgecrest CA —- P.C. 288.3(a) and P.C. 288.4(b)

– Date of arrest – September 20 2020 – James Fredrick Buge (49 YOA), Tehachapi CA— P.C. 288.3(a) and P.C. 288.4(b)

– Date of arrest – September 28 2020 – Andrew Charles Trujillo (26 YOA), Pearblossom CA — P.C. 288.2(a), P.C. 288.3(a), P.C. 288.4(a) (1), P.C. 288.4(b)

– Date of arrest – October 6 2020 – Alan Lucas Hargrove (24 YOA), Ridgecrest CA —- P.C. 288.3(a), P.C. 288.4(a) (1), P.C. 288.4(b)

– Date of arrest – October 10 2020 – David Tyson McDaniel (36 YOA), Ridgecrest CA —– P.C. 288.3(a), P.C. 288.4(a) (1), P.C. 288.4(b)

– Date of arrest – October 13 2020 – David Nathan Walters (35 YOA), California City CA —- P.C. 288.3(a), P.C. 288.4(a) (1), P.C. 288.4(b), P.C. 148(a) (1)

– Date of arrest – November 21 2020 – Denzil Clark Rout Jr (38 YOA), Modesto CA —- P.C. 288.3(a), P.C. 288.4(b), P.C. 288.4(a) (1)

– Date of arrest – November 21 2020 – Avidan Daniel Pell (31 YOA), Mammoth Lakes CA —- P.C. 288.3(a), P.C. 288.4(b), P.C. 288.4(a) (1)

Although we are isolated here in Ridgecrest, many of the suspects came here from other cities to engage in the illegal activity with minors. Unfortunately, during these times, people that wish to exploit children are using this pandemic as a way to communicate with children via social media.

It is recommended for parents to keep a close eye on what social media applications our children are using and how often they use it. With children being at home because of the pandemic and with the increasing use of technology (cellphones, laptops, computers, etc.) while being locked down, this could expose our children to be sexually exploited or abused by means of the Internet.

If you have any concerns about your children being on suspicious social media sites and speaking with unknown individuals, please contact the Ridgecrest Police Department.

JED MCLAUGHLIN, Chief of Police

PREPARED BY: Detective F. Mixon – Investigations Bureau

Event, Press Release

Fatal Traffic Accident

January 13, 2021 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF EVENT: January 13, 2021

TYPE: Fatal Traffic Accident

LOCATION: 200 block E. Ridgecrest Blvd.

On 01/13/2021, at about 1611 hours, Officers from the Ridgecrest Police Department were dispatched to a vehicle vs. pedestrian traffic collision in the 200 blk. of E. Ridgecrest Blvd. Upon arrival, a juvenile was found to have been struck by a vehicle. Liberty Ambulance arrived on scene and began treating the juvenile. The juvenile was transported via Mercy Air to a hospital out of town, where the juvenile later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the vehicle is cooperating with the investigation. The investigation is on-going and no further information is available at this time.

JED MCLAUGHLIN, Chief of Police

PREPARED BY: Sgt. A. Tucker – Administration Sergeant

Event, Press Release

Fatal Traffic Accident

January 11, 2021 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF EVENT: January 11, 2021

TYPE OF EVENT: Fatal Traffic Accident

LOCATION: 300 block W. Bowman Rd.

CHARGES: Not Applicable

SUSPECT(S): Not Applicable

On 1/11/2021, at about 0557 hours, officers from the Ridgecrest Police Department were dispatched to a traffic collision in the 300 block of E. Bowman Rd. The traffic collision was between a single vehicle and a pedestrian. Officers arrived and located an unresponsive subject lying near the roadway. Emergency life saving measures were initiated and EMS arrived as well. The subject was pronounced deceased by EMS personnel a short time later.

Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police

PREPARED BY: Sergeant Groves

Event, Press Release