Posts in category Public Information

Stolen Vehicle

July 28, 2022 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF EVENT: July 28th, 2022

TYPE OF EVENT: Vehicle Pursuit / Residential Burglary / Stolen Vehicle

LOCATION: 100 W. Robertson Ave.

CHARGES: PC 2800.2 – Failure to yield

PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in possession of a firearm

PC 30305(a) – Felon in possession of ammunition

HS 11370.1(a) – Possess controlled substance with loaded gun

PC 460(a) – Residential burglary

PC 10851(a) – Vehicle theft

PC 148(a)(1) – Resisting arrest

Various additional felony charges

SUSPECT(S): James Ihle 23 year old Ridgecrest resident.

On 7/28/2022, Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black Mercedes sedan in the 1200 block of W. Iowa Ave. The vehicle failed to yield to officers and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, the vehicle exceeded 100 MPH and failed to stop at multiple stop signs. The pursuit ended with the driver of the vehicle, later identified as James Ihle, losing control at the intersection of N. Mahan St. and W. Las Flores Ave. Ihle fled the scene on foot, into a nearby neighborhood. Officers began conducting yard to yard searches looking for Ihle; however, they were unable to locate him. Officers located methamphetamine and a loaded firearm in the vehicle. A check on the firearm was conducted and officers learned that the firearm had been reported stolen earlier in the week.

Several hours later, the Ridgecrest Police Department received a call from a resident in that neighborhood reporting their vehicle had been stolen from inside their garage.

Ofc. Cushman located the stolen vehicle a short time later in the 1400 block of W. Benson Ave, near where the pursuit initially started. Ofc. Cushman was able to obtain information that Ihle was possibly inside a residence near that location.

Patrol officers and detectives surrounded the house and made contact with the homeowner. The homeowner confirmed that Ihle was inside the residence. Officers and detectives made entry into the residence along with Ofc. Henderson and his canine partner Max. Officers made numerous announcements in the residence; however, Ihle refused to surrender. Officers located a locked bedroom door and ultimately forced entry inside. Ihle was inside the bedroom and was not cooperative with officers. Canine Max made entry into the bedroom and apprehended Ihle. After a brief struggle, Ihle was taken into custody.

Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police

PREPARED BY: Sergeant Groves

Event, Press Release

Felon In Possession Of A Firearm

July 26, 2022 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF EVENT: July 26, 2022

TYPE OF EVENT: Felon in possession of a firearm

LOCATION: City of Ridgecrest

CHARGES:

PC 29800(a) – Felon in possession of a firearm

PC 30305(a) – Felon in possession of ammunition

PC 31360(a) – Felon in possession of body armor

PC 148(a)(1) – Resist/Obstruct/ or Delay a peace officer

PC 32 – Accessory to a crime

Various other offenses

SUSPECTS: Christopher Raul Barthel 30 YOA Ridgecrest resident

Magen Christyne Southard 32 YOA Ridgecrest resident

On 7/26/2022, Detectives from the Ridgecrest Police Department received information that Christopher Barthel was in possession of a firearm. Barthel is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Det. Arnold authored a search warrant for a residence in the 500 block of W. Atkins Ave. Detectives and officers from the Ridgecrest Police Department went to the address and made contact with Christopher Barthel. Barthel was hostile toward law enforcement and told officer that they needed a warrant to search the residence. Officers presented the warrant; however, Magen Southard was inside and refused to comply with officers. Both subjects were ultimately taken into custody and a search of the residence was conducted. During a search, officers located two firearms, body armor, and ammunition. Barthel was currently out on bail for a previous case where he had unlawfully possessed a firearm. Both subjects were transported to the Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield and Barthel is currently being held without bail.

Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police

PREPARED BY: Sgt. Groves

Event, Press Release

Felon In Possession Of Stolen Vehicle / Firearm

July 24, 2022 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF EVENT: July 22, 2022

TYPE OF EVENT: Felon in possession of a firearm/Possession of stolen vehicle

LOCATION: 100 block of W. Wilson Avenue

CHARGES: PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in possession of a firearm

PC 30305(a)(1) – Prohibited Person in possession of ammunition

PC 23900 – Alter/remove serial number of a firearm

PC 496D(a) – Possession of a stolen vehicle

PC 475(a) – Possession of counterfeit items

VC 14601.1(a) – Driving on a suspended driver’s license

SUSPECT: Joshua Meyer 35 year old Ridgecrest resident

On 07/21/2022, Officer Cushman was dispatched to a local gas station for a report of subjects using fake currency to purchase goods. Officer Cushman was a provided a still shot photograph of the suspect’s vehicle that had unique characteristics. On 07/22/2022, Ofc Cushman noticed the same vehicle driving westbound in the 100 block of W Wilson Avenue. Ofc Cushman initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at that time where he made contact with the driver of the vehicle who was identified as Joshua Meyer. The passenger of the vehicle admitted to passing the fake bill given to her by Meyer the previous day. Other counterfeit bills were located in Meyer’s possession at the scene.

It was determined Meyer’s driver’s license was suspended at which time Officer Cushman placed Meyer under arrest. While Officers inventoried Meyer’s vehicle, a stolen Honda 50cc motorcycle was located in the back of the vehicle. Due to locating the stolen property in Meyer’s vehicle, Officers rolled back to Meyer’s hotel room to conduct a search. During this search a loaded Springfield XD .45 caliber handgun was located that had the serial numbers filed off so it was unable to be traced. The on duty dispatcher was able to confirm Meyer was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing or owning a firearm.

Meyer was arrested on the above listed charges and transported to the Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield.

Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police

PREPARED BY: Sergeant Hallmark

Event, Press Release

Illegal Carry Concealed Weapon Suspect Arrested

July 24, 2022 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF INCIDENT: July 24, 2022

TYPE OF INCIDENT:

PC 25400(a)(2) – Carry Concealed Weapon

PC 25850(a) – Carry Loaded Firearm in Public

PC 25850(c)(6) – Carry Unregistered Handgun

PC 29180(c) – Own Firearm without Serial Number

LOCATION: S. Helena St. and W. Wilson Ave.

SUSPECT: Pedro Gutierrez – 24 year old Ridgecrest resident.

RESUME OF INCIDENT

On July 24, 2022 Ridgecrest Police Department Officers were dispatched to the area of S. Helena St. and W. Wilson Ave. regarding a subject armed with a gun and yelling at someone. The reporting party described the subject as wearing a gray shirt and gray sweat pants.

Upon arrival, the Officers located a subject matching the description walking W/B in the 400 block of W. Wilson Ave. The subject, later identified as Pedro Gutierrez, was contacted and detained. During a search of Gutierrez, a loaded, non-serialized Glock style handgun was located concealed inside of his sweatpants. Gutierrez was arrested for the listed charges and transported to CRF-Bakersfield for booking.

Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police

PREPARED BY: Sgt. R. Marrone

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Event, Press Release

AB109 P.R.C.S/ Parole/ Probation Compliance Checks

July 24, 2022 Written by Micah Hall

(SIT) STREET INTERDICTION TEAM

DATE OF EVENT: July 24th, 2022

TYPE OF EVENT: AB109 P.R.C.S./ Parole/ Probation Compliance Checks

LOCATION: City of Ridgecrest and Surrounding Areas in Kern County

On July 24th, 2022, the Ridgecrest Police Department led by Patrol and Investigations Division conducted compliance checks on subjects who are on either Active Parole, Probation or Post Release Community Supervision (AB109) living within the City of Ridgecrest and surrounding areas (Buttermilk Acres and Inyokern). The primary goal of the compliance checks are to deter criminal activity in the Indian Wells Valley.

The operation was comprised of approximately 30 Law Enforcement Officers from the following agencies:

– Ridgecrest Police Department

– Kern County Probation Department

– Delano Police Department

– Kern County District Attorney’s Office

During the operation, approximately 25 searches were conducted. We had 40 planned targets with 9 non-target contacts were conducted resulting in 17 arrests for various violations. Officers seized approximately 1 ounce of methamphetamine, 2 gram of fentanyl, and numerous articles of paraphernalia. The following is a list of subjects arrested:

• The following subjects were arrests for active misdemeanor or felony warrants:

o Neal, Jamie – 5/31/1978

o Mawhoor, John – 10/12/1980

o Blakemore, Deanna – 1/07/1992

o Hammerbacker, Phelan – 8/27/1983

o Barragan, Elijah – 9/11/1993

o Wisdom, Jared – 12/24/1967

o Stuebner, Megan – 11/20/1984

o Williams, Bruce – 5/28/1990

o Wheeler, Susan – 9/04/1959

o Foust, Steven – 7/17/1959

o Thomason, Scott – 6/25/1992

o Bleier, John – 4/01/1962

o Simms, Malik – 8/04/2003

• Runyan, Autumn – 2/01/1980 – HS 11364, HS 11350 – Possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and Possession of narcotics

• Blakemore, Deanna – 1/07/1992 – HS 11350 – Possession of narcotics

• Noennich, Jeramy – 12/31/1983 – HS 11378 – Possession of controlled substance for the purpose of sales

• Berry, Savannah – 12/20/1984 – HS 11364 – Possession of controlled substance paraphernalia

• Herrera, Arthur – 7/04/1987 – PC 3455 – Violation of probation

The Ridgecrest Police Department would like to thank all Agency Chiefs for allowing their Officers to participate in this successful operation.

JED MCLAUGHLIN, CHIEF OF POLICE

PREPARED BY: Sgt. Bill Groves– Investigations Bureau

Event, Press Release