Posts in category Public Information

Structure Fire Contained And Family Pet Saved

September 9, 2018 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF INCIDENT: September 8, 2018

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Structure Fire

LOCATION: 700 block of W. Bennett Ave.

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT

On 9/8/2018, at about 2310 hours, officers from the Ridgecrest Police Department were dispatched to the report of a structure fire in the 700 block of W. Bennett Ave. As officers arrived on scene, it was reported that there was possibly a female inside and the house was fully engulfed in flames. Officers as well as several citizens attempted to gain access into the residence; however, the smoke and fire inside prevented anyone from going in. Reserve Officer Lloyd ran to the back door of the residence and found that the flames hadn’t reached that side of the residence. Reserve Officer Lloyd and Jorge Toral, an outstanding Ridgecrest resident, were able to gain entry into the residence. Once the door was open, Reserve Officer Lloyd could see a large dog that was unresponsive, laying inside, near the back door. Reserve Officer Lloyd and Toral worked together, despite the intense heat and smoke, to remove the animal from the burning building. The animal was carried across the street and medical attention was provided to him. While the animal rescue was taking place, officers learned that the occupants of the residence were not inside. During the incident, we learned that the dog’s name was Max. Although initially unresponsive, we were able to get Max breathing on his own. He made a full recovery and was up and walking around before officers cleared the scene.

Kern County and China Lake Firefighters responded to the scene and were able to extinguish the fire quickly before it was able to seriously damage nearby homes. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The Ridgecrest Police Department would like to thank Ted Olson, Jorge Toral, and the other members of the community that assisted in this incident. We would also like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that structure fires are extremely dangerous. Due to the rapidly evolving situation, fires are often unpredictable and can trap would be rescuers inside. Firefighters have special equipment and are trained to handle those situations. More often than not the best thing to do is to stay a safe distance from the scene.

Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Sergeant Bill Groves

Suspect Arrested On Animal Cruelty Charges

August 19, 2018 Written by Micah Hall

PRESS RELEASE

Date of Event: 08/17/18
Type of Event: Animal Cruelty
CHARGES: PC 597(b) – Cruelty to Animals
SUSPECT ARRESTED: JESSE RAMON JR.
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 08/17/2018, at approximately 1215 hours an anonymous person came into the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter to show a video of a man, identified as Jesse Ramon Jr., striking a dog several times and displaying obvious signs of animal cruelty.

An investigation was initiated and after a public request for Ramon to come speak to the Ridgecrest Police Department, he came to the department for questioning. After he was interviewed, he was arrested and held in the Ridgecrest Police Department Holding Facility. He was later transported and booked into Central Receiving Facility, Bakersfield, Ca. and is currently being held for the above listed animal cruelty charges.

JED McLAUGHLIN, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Sgt. A. Tucker
Friday, August 18th, 2018

Press Release

Subject Wanted For Questioning

August 17, 2018 Written by Micah Hall

PRESS RELEASE

Date of Event – 08/17/18
Type of Event – Wanted for Questioning
Person: JESSE RAMON JR.

Resume of Incident:

The Ridgecrest Police Department is seeking the help of the public for the whereabouts of Jesse Ramon Jr. (18 YOA). Ramone is needed for questioning regarding an animal cruelty case currently being investigated. If you have any information regarding Ramon’s whereabouts, please contact the Ridgecrest Police Department at 760-499-5100. We appreciate the public’s help in this matter.

Mr. Ramon, if you are reading this, you are welcome to come to the Ridgecrest Police Department and request to speak to an Officer, we would appreciate it. Thank you!

JED McLAUGHLIN, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Sgt. A. Tucker
Friday, August 17th, 2018

Press Release

Felony Evading Suspect Arrested

July 1, 2018 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF EVENT: 06/30/2018

TYPE OF EVENT: Felony Evading

LOCATION: 300 Blk of N. China Lake Blvd., E. Wilson Ave. and S. Sunland St.

CHARGES: CVC 2800.2(a) – Felony Evading, CVC 23152(A) and (B) – D.U.I +.08%BAC, CVC 20002(a)(1) – Hit and Run, CVC 14601.1(a) – Suspended/ Revoked Driver’s License, CVC 23103(a) – Reckless Driving, CVC 22350(a) – Unsafe Speed, CVC 22450(a) – Fail to Stop at Stop Sign, CVC 21453(a) – Fail to Stop at Red Light.

SUSPECT: Casey Allen Arney – 23 Years of Age

INCIDENT: On 06/30/18, The Ridgecrest Police Department received two calls for a reckless driver in a white Acura Integra in the City of Ridgecrest between 1900 and 2100 hours. At about 2125 hours, Reserve Ofc. Lloyd was traveling N/B in the 300 Blk. Of China Lake Blvd. and observed a white Acura Integra traveling S/B in the 300 Blk. Of N. China Lake Blvd. at a high rate of speed. Unknown to Reserve Ofc. Lloyd, a 911 call was being received and about to be dispatched regarding the vehicle driving recklessly again. Reserve Ofc. Lloyd initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and it failed to yield to his emergency lights and sirens. The driver, identified as Casey Arney, accelerated away from Reserve Ofc. Lloyd and fled at a high rate of speed. While fleeing, Arney ran three stop lights at an estimated speed of 100 miles per hour, caused several vehicles to veer to the side of the roadway and then drove E/B onto E. Wilson Ave. Arney continued to flee from Reserve Ofc. Lloyd and turned off the lights to the vehicle. Arney then continued at a high rate of speed through a residential neighborhood. At the intersection of E. Wilson Ave. and S. Sunland St., Arney attempted to make a S/B turn onto S. Sunland St. and was unable to negotiate the turn, causing the vehicle to crash into the sidewalk and come to rest on the side of the roadway. Arney then fled the vehicle and went to a residence in the 400 Blk of S. Holly Canyon Dr.
Officers set up a perimeter and located witnesses to the incident. With the help of witnesses, a residence was located and Arney was contacted inside. Arney was identified as the driver of the vehicle through witness statements and evidence located inside the vehicle. Arney was arrested and found to have a suspended/ revoked driver’s license. Arney was also found to be under the influence of alcohol at a level over .08% BAC. Based on Arney’s actions, he displayed wanton disregard for the safety of the public, himself and officers pursuing him.

JED McLAUGHLIN, Chief of Police Prepared by: Sgt. A. Tucker July 01, 2018

Press Release

Escaped Convict Taken Into Custody

June 29, 2018 Written by Micah Hall

DATE OF EVENT: 06/29/2018
TYPE OF EVENT: Warrant Arrest
LOCATION: 1100 Block of W. St. George Ave
CHARGES: (PC) 4532-Escape
SUSPECTS: Brian Fredrick Pipping- 42 year old

On 06/28/2018, The Ridgecrest Police Department learned that Brian Pipping walked away from an alternative custody program. The Ridgecrest Police Department began working with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Special Service Unit.

Through investigation, it was learned that Pipping was staying in the 1100 block of W. St. George Ave. On 06/29/2018, Detective Cushman and CDCR Officers responded to the location, along with Officer Plunkett and K-9 Tosca. Pipping was located and taken into custody without incident and with the help of K-9 Tosca being on scene. Pipping was booked into California Correctional Institute in Tehachapi, CA.

Press Release