California

CHINO HILLS, CA – A woman was rescued by deputies after she was allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and forced to travel across the country committing fraud in a scheme to repay debts, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The incident began around 2:43 p.m. on October 11, 2025, when deputies responded to The Shoppes at Chino Hills located at 13920 City Center Drive for a report of suspicious individuals loitering in front of Sephora. Upon arrival, deputies detained two individuals and discovered multiple fraudulent identification cards, social security cards, and debit cards during the investigation. One of the detained individuals, a 51-year-old woman from North Carolina, told deputies she had been kidnapped and forced to travel across the country with 28-year...

APPLE VALLEY, CA – A 40-year-old man was pronounced deceased following a two-vehicle collision involving an ATV and a passenger vehicle in Apple Valley. The crash occurred around 4:59 p.m. on October 12, 2025, at the intersection of Navajo Road and Ottawa Road. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Juan M. Rodriguez Mendoza was riding a blue 2002 Yamaha YFM660 westbound on Ottawa Road when he entered the intersection and into the path of a silver 2016 Honda CR-V traveling southbound on Navajo Road. The Honda, driven by a 58-year-old Apple Valley resident with two passengers, struck the Yamaha broadside, ejecting Rodriguez Mendoza from the ATV. He was transported to a local hospital for a higher level of care but was later pronounced deceased. The driver ...

TULARE COUNTY, CA – A Porterville man has been arrested after allegedly setting a woman on fire, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded just before 5:30 p.m. on October 10, 2025, to the 24100 block of Avenue 120 in Porterville for a medical aid call. Upon arrival, they found a woman suffering from severe burns to her face, arms, and torso. An investigation revealed that 42-year-old Sean Hofmann had intentionally poured a highly flammable accelerant on or near the victim, resulting in the woman being set on fire. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital and is currently listed in stable condition. Hofmann was taken into custody without incident. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Detective Javier Montoya at the Tulare County...

FILLMORE, CA – The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman known for decades only as “Jane Doe” in a 1981 homicide case as Maria Belmontes Blancas. According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and Cold Case Unit, Maria’s body was discovered on January 27, 1981, in a citrus orchard near Piru. She had been shot multiple times, and her death was ruled a homicide. Despite an initial investigation, her identity remained unknown for over four decades. The Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation in 2023 and used advanced DNA analysis to suggest Maria's family may have originated from Michoacán, Mexico. Working with Redgrave Research Forensic Services, investigators traced potential family members, and by summer 2025, they were able to confirm M...

LOS ANGELES, CA – A 29-year-old man, Jonathan Rinderknech, has been arrested on suspicion of starting the Palisades Fire, which later grew into a destructive wildfire, according to federal and local law enforcement officials. The fire caused significant damage in the Palisades area, prompting widespread evacuations and firefighting efforts. Rinderknech is facing federal charges related to the ignition of the blaze. Further details about the investigation have not yet been released.

HESPERIA, CA – Fourteen individuals were arrested and approximately $55,000 in U.S. currency was recovered as part of a train burglary investigation led by the Rural Crimes Task Force. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the arrests occurred on October 6, 2025, around 6:30 a.m., when investigators from the Rural Crimes Task Force, with assistance from BNSF railroad police and the Hesperia Station Detective Bureau, served a search warrant at a residence in the 14600 block of Willow Street. The warrant was tied to an ongoing investigation into train burglaries within the Victor Valley area. As officers arrived, seven suspects attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended with the help of Sheriff’s Aviation and Hesperia deputies. Another seven individuals w...

CHINO HILLS, CA – A 20-year-old resident of Chino Hills has been arrested in connection with a fatal traffic collision that occurred in the early morning hours of September 28. Deputies from the Chino Hills Sheriff’s Station responded to a crash at 5:48 a.m. at the intersection of Carbon Canyon Road and Chino Hills Parkway. When they arrived, they found a head-on collision involving two vehicles. One of the drivers, a 29-year-old man from Whittier, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other driver, identified as Ethan Ryan Godde, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. Following an investigation by the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.), authorities arrested Godde on October 6 for gross vehicular manslaughter under PC 191.5(a). He was ...

TERRA BELLA, CA – The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that occurred late October 4, 2025, in the 22000 block of Avenue 96 in Terra Bella. Photo Credit: TCSO Deputies were called to the scene around 10:40 p.m. and learned that two men had gotten into an argument at a party when one stabbed the other in the stomach. Deputies rendered first aid to the victim until EMS and Tulare County Fire arrived. The victim was later airlifted to an area hospital. The suspect fled before deputies arrived. Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office have taken over the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

CULVER CITY, CA – According to the Culver City Police Department, investigators arrested a suspect connected to multiple online threats targeting the TikTok Culver City headquarters. Employees reported receiving a series of online threats across various social media platforms from a suspect identified as 33-year-old Joseph Mayuyo, a resident of Hawthorne. On Oct. 3, representatives received an additional threat naming TikTok’s headquarters. Security evacuated the location out of an abundance of caution. The case was assigned to CCPD investigators. In collaboration with the CCPD Crime Impact Team, Special Enforcement Team, Emergency Response Team, and Crisis Negotiation Team, officers conducted an investigation at Mayuyo’s residence. During the investigation, Mayuyo made additiona...

VICTORVILLE, CA – A 13-year-old boy was seriously injured after being struck by a DUI driver while riding his bicycle, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff‑Coroner Department. The crash occurred around 9:16 p.m. on October 3 at the intersection of Nisqualli Road and Second Avenue. Deputies from the Victorville Police Station, along with Victorville Fire Department and AMR personnel, responded to the scene. Investigators determined that a white Toyota Camry, driven by 36-year-old Rosalie Morales of Victorville, struck the juvenile bicyclist in the eastbound lanes of Nisqualli Road. The victim sustained major injuries and was initially taken to St. Mary Medical Center before being flown to Loma Linda University Medical Center. Morales remained on scene and was arrested...