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Murder suspect surrenders to BPD

December 30, 2013, 7:56 am
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BAKERSFIELD- Bakersfield police have been looking for a murder suspect for several weeks. Sunday night, he showed up at the KGET studios before turning himself in.

Brendan Sanders, 18, of Bakersfield first wanted to be interviewed to say that he is innocent.

Bakersfield Police arrived at KGET news studio just after 9 p.m. to arrest Sanders. Officers have been looking for Sanders for more than a month.

Police believe Sanders is the man who shot and killed Jerry Gray, 35,  and wounded another teenager on Geneva Avenue in the early morning of November 24th.

"I'm innocent, I don't want to get accused of something I didn't do. I just want justice," said Brendon Sanders.

Before he turned himself into police, Sanders showed up at our door.   Accompanied by friends, Sanders said he wanted to be interviewed to state his innocence and that he didn't know police were looking for him.


"I wasn't aware of this. I wasn't aware of this at all. My grandmother called and informed me on this," said Sanders.

Sanders said he didn't know Gray, but he was acquainted with the other gunshot victim.

"I knew who he was. I have my witnesses who'll testify and let you know I'm innocent. I just want to have my attorney."

Sanders said he doesn't know how he became a suspect in Gray's murder and declined to answer any other questions until he obtains a lawyer.

17's News Director Mike Trihey made the call to police to come pick up sanders.

He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the downtown jail on a charge of first-degree murder.

He is expected in court Tuesday morning.

Part of the reason Sanders and his friends say they came into the studio before surrendering, was to request the reward from the secret witness program for Sander's arrest.




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Woman shot, killed in deputy-involved shooting in Taft

December 30, 2013, 8:23 am
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TAFT, CA- The Sheriff's Department is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Taft that left a woman dead.

Deputies responded to the 800 block of Filmore street Sunday just before 8 p.m., for a check the welfare call.

When deputies arrived, they said they were confronted by a woman inside the home, brandishing a weapon.

"As a result of her actions, Deputies were forced to use deadly force against her. The female was airlifted to Kern Medical Center where she later died from her injuries," said Lt. Todd Bishop with the Kern County Sheriff's Department.

As of Monday morning, the woman's identity had not been released.

No deputies were injured.

The investigation is ongoing
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Update: At risk missing teen returns

December 30, 2013, 8:32 am
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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Bakersfield Police say a missing at-risk teen has returned home. 

Police said Endea Hodges, 14, had been last seen in the 2000 block of Wible Road on Christmas.

Hodges is 5'6", 165 pounds with blond braided hair and brown eyes and a lip piercing.

She is considered at-risk due to her age.

Anyone with information is urged to call the BPD at 327-7111.
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New California traffic laws in 2014

December 30, 2013, 8:44 am
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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The new year is just two days which means many of the bills that Governor Jerry Brown signed this year will become law in 2014.

Two of those new laws are for drivers. Motorists will have to be more careful on how they share the road with bicyclists in 2014.

"It's about creating a community so that we understand that we're all using the same resources," said Zach Griffin with Bike Bakersfield.

Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1371, also known as the Three Feet for Safety Act in September.

The law requires a driver overtaking and passing a bicyclist that is headed the same direction, to pass at least three feet away from any part of the bicycle.

"It is a tool, it's not a cure all. It's not a magic pill but it's a tool to help communities around California make the road ways safer," said Griffin.

"If the driver can't safely pass that bicyclist within three feet he has to slow down to the speed of the bicyclist and then pass when it's safe to do so," said Sergeant Joe Grubbs with the Bakersfield Police Department.

But will the law be a challenge to enforce?

"Obviously we're not going to be able to stop and take out a tape measure because they are traveling down a road way but the officer will have to be able to convince a judge that the driver was within three feet," said Grubbs.

Drivers 18 years and younger have another law to abide. It elimates talking on their cellphone all together.

"They can't use any type of device whatsoever. So hands free or not, they can't use it," said Grubbs.


The teen driver law goes into effect January 1.

The passing distance goes into effect September 16.
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Woman dies after deputy-involved shooting in Taft

December 30, 2013, 4:29 pm
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TAFT, CA -- The sheriff's department is investigating a weekend deputy-involved shooting in Taft.  Sheriff's officials say on Sunday night deputies from the Taft Substation were sent to a home in the 800 block of Filmore Street in response to an unknown situation.

Deputies had prior contacts with the subjects who live at the residence. While deputies were driving to the location, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center told deputies the resident, 31-year-old Bethany Lytle of Taft had an active no bail arrest warrant for a Sheriff’s parole violation.

When deputies arrived, they spoke to a man who told deputies Lytle was brandishing a knife, breaking picture frames and other household items inside the residence. The subject also told deputies Lytle had to be held down on the ground while 911 was called.

Deputies went into the residence to check the welfare of Lytle. Deputies found her inside the residence sitting down and speaking incoherently. Lytle suddenly stood up and armed herself with a double edged dagger with an approximate ten inch blade.

Lytle became combative and one deputy immediately deployed and activated his Taser, but it was ineffective. Another deputy had his duty weapon drawn and both deputies repeatedly ordered Lytle to drop the dagger, but she refused and charged at the deputies. Lytle closed the distance to the deputies within five feet and held the dagger above her head while making a stabbing motion.

Fearing for their safety, one deputy fired his duty weapon at Lytle to stop the attack. Lytle fell to the ground, but did not drop the dagger. Lytle continued to refuse deputies orders to drop the dagger. Lytle eventually threw the dagger away and deputies took her into custody.

Medical aid immediately responded to the residence to treat Lytle’s injuries. Lytle was uncooperative and struggled with medical aid to the point she had to be restrained. Lytle was airlifted to Kern Medical Center where she later died from her injuries.

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Woman dies after crash on Interstate 5

December 30, 2013, 5:00 pm
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BUTTONWILLOW, CA -- One person is dead and another is hospitalized with major injuries after a crash on Interstate 5 near Rowlee Road Monday morning.

The Highway Patrol says a Toyota was southbound on I-5 when the driver, 34-year-old Brenna Dawn Horsley of Irvine, drifted into the center divider.

The vehicle rolled and landed in the northbound lanes where another vehicle slammed into it.  Horsley died at the scene, her husband, 50-year-old John Horsley was taken to the hospital with major injuries.

The cause is under investigation.


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Twelve people hospitalized with influenza

December 30, 2013, 6:40 pm
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KERN COUNTY, CA -- A dozen people were admitted to Bakersfield hospitals over the weekend with influenza. Eight of them are in intensive care.

"When we left the office on Friday we had received a report through the reporting system of three persons who had been hospitalized with the influenza," said Dr. Claudia Jonah with the Kern County Health Department.

"By Sunday we have a total of 12 hospitalized with influenza. More than half of those have been in intensive care unit and many of them had to be put on ventilators."

San Joaquin Community Hospital and Kern Medical Center said the cases are severe and patients are not showing typical flu symptoms.

"One of the stories was that the person was just having dizziness, but it turned out to be influenza and they're in the hospital," said Jonah.

The patients range in age from 30 to 68. One patient has the H1N1 Virus, but eight others have Influenza A, which has a vaccine.

Doreen Tracy received her first flu shot last month and is happy she got it when she did.

"I got the flu shot, because I'm an elderly person and everybody told me to go," said Tracy.

"It's free for me. I feel pretty good and I haven't got the flu since."

The Health Department is urging people to take precautions to avoid becoming infected or infecting others.

"This is a big concern," said Jonah.

"These persons that are getting severe infections, are getting severely ill very quickly."

Flu shots are available at most pharmacies or at the Health Department. Jonah has recommends people with cold or flu symptoms to take 1,000 to 2,000 miligrams of Vitamin C every hour.
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Free rides home on New Year's Eve

December 31, 2013, 6:41 am
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BAKERSFIELD,CA- As we count down to the new year, local law enforcement remind you there's never an excuse to drink and drive. But there are several businesses offering safe rides home.

"Watching her take her last breath and hearing my daughters screaming," said Michael Benge. 

That's Benge's last memory of his wife, Jada, who was killed by a drunk driver, nearly ten years ago.

This New Years Eve, businesses around Bakersfield remind you to not drink and drive. 

Get Bus is offering free rides on all of their routes between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Tuesday.

"This will be the fifth year that we've done this and we just decided that we wanted to do our part and help the community be a little bit safer on an evening that is you can be sometimes be unsafe," said Get Bus supervisor Jill Snitch. 

AAA is sponsoring the Tipsy Tow program Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m. Wednesday with some restrictions.

"We're not going to tow you to another facility where you can drink some more. We're not going to tow you to a repair facility. The entire intent of the program is to tow you back to your place of residence so you can get home safely," said Chere Smith, AAA Bakersfield.

Cars can be towed up to seven miles for free any distance after that there is a charge but you do not have to be a AAA member to use the service.

Advance Beverage Company has once again partnered up with United Taxi to provide the Budlight Designated Driver program.

The annual program gives free taxi rides Tuesday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. anywhere in the Bakersfield metro area.

Here's a list of numbers for those programs.

Get Bus- 869-2438

AAA- 800-222-4357

United Taxi- 637-1616
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Suspected DUI crash in Downtown Bakersfield

December 31, 2013, 7:46 am
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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A Bakersfield man is under arrest  following a suspected DUI crash in Downtown Bakersfield.  Police said he was intoxicated and driving on the wrong side of the road.

It happened just before 11 p.m. Monday at 23rd and C streets.

The roadway was closed all night and reopened just be for 5 a.m.

Officers say Jose Rosas, 35, was driving the wrong way on 23rd Street in a blue GMC pickup, when he collided with a Honda Fit.

The driver and passengers of the Honda were taken to the hospital with moderate to major injuries.

Rosas was arrested for driving under the influence causing injury.
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Three people shot in east Bakersfield

December 31, 2013, 12:13 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Three people are recovering from gunshot wounds after a shooting in east Bakersfield.  Deputies say just after nine Tuesday morning, they responded to the area of Flower Street and Brown Street regarding a shooting.

When deputies arrived, they located three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. At Flower Street and Williams Street, a 16-year-old black male juvenile was located, suffering from a gunshot wound to his legs.

At Flower Street and Haley Street, a 17-year-old black male juvenile was located, suffering from gunshot wounds to his arm and legs. At Quincy Street and Brown Street, a 19-year-old black man was located, suffering from gunshot wounds to his arm and face.

It was determined the initial shooting occurred in the intersections of Flower Street and Brown Street. The victims were transported to Kern Medical Center for treatment. The injuries were not life threatening. The suspect was described as a black man, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, driving a silver full size four door sedan. The investigation is ongoing.

Anonymous "text" tips can be sent to TIP411 (847411). Just type the key word "KCSO" prior to the message.

Anyone having information on this incident is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff's Office at (661) 861-3110 or contact Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.


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Bakersfield Police using drug and alcohol swab test

December 31, 2013, 5:51 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Officers may have an easier and more efficient way to test whether someone is driving under the influence of both alcohol and hard drugs. Bakersfield is one of the first cities in the state to conduct a new mouth swab test. It only takes about eight minutes for a reading and is a possible alternative to the blood test that is required when a person is arrested for DUI.

The mouth swab is designed to detect trace amounts of drug use that hides in the person's saliva.

"We use this thing to test for cocaine, opiates, benzos, THC, marijuana, amphetamines, methamphetamines, and methadone," said Officer Ryan Wimberly.

"It's something we can use in the department to give us immediate results versus waiting on a blood test to come back, which has to go to a lab."

The downside to the test is that it must be administered either at the department or at Kern Medical Center in a short window of time.

"We try to do it in a three-hour window," said Wimberly.

"If they're involved in a collision or anything criminal, we do it right away."

Arrested drivers are mandated to take a blood test, but they can volunteer to take the swab test as well to help test the pilot program. Since September, the department has had 14 volunteers.

Bakersfield Police said they're trying to get 100 of these tests done next year, so the machine can be verified to be used as evidence in court.
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Three teens shot in east Bakersfield

December 31, 2013, 6:05 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Three teens were shot in east Bakersfield Tuesday morning, two of which were juveniles.

With the suspect still at large, sheriff's deputies are asking for the public's help.

Deputies say all three were transported to Kern Medical Center and should survive but neighbors say that doesn't make what happened okay.

It's a sound these neighbors hoped never to hear a man in pain. It's the result of another sound heard throughout an east Bakersfield neighborhood Tuesday morning, gunshots.

"All I heard when I was cleaning my room was boom boom boom," said Manuel Valdovinos. "That was it that's the first time during the day I heard anything like that."

Witnesses say the three teens were walking down the street around 9 a.m. here at the intersection of Flower and Brown when someone in a passing car opened fire.

"There were people walking past and then people started running and screaming," said Carmine Morgan who lives across the street from where the shooting started.

Deputies say a 19-year-old, a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old were shot then ran in different directions.  A 16-year-old with a bullet in the leg ran to Flower and Williams Street.

A 17-year-old, with wounds to his arms and legs, ran to this market near at Flower and Haley Street where you could still see his torn clothing.

A 19-year-old ran to the corner of Quincy and Brown Street. Carime Morgan had clear shot through her window of the aftermath.

"I saw a young black male running past me to the south and he had been shot," said Morgan.

According to deputies the 19-year-old was shot in the head and arm.

"I noticed part of his face was messed up and he was begging for help," said Morgan.

While treatment arrived, deputies searched overhead and on the ground for a suspect.

The situation cleared up within hours as the 19-year-old and the two other victims were transported to Kern Medical Center but stains and pains still remain from this New Year's Eve shooting.

"I never want to see again because it was horrible and it was terrible to see people walking the street and get shot down like they did," said Morgan.

The suspect is described at a black man, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt driving a silver full size four door sedan.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 861-3110 or the Secret Witness hotline at 322-4040.


We were unable ask the Sheriff's Department if this shooting was gang related or related to any other recent shootings because the department did not provide a spokesperson.
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Partygoers ring in the new year

January 1, 2014, 6:38 am
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County rang in the new year with several celebrations. Party-goers headed out to venues all over.

Folks danced the night away at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace -- one of the most popular party spots. Stampede and Mento Buru played a mix of country and Latin reggae.

A different Latin flavor at the Kern County Fairgrounds, revelers enjoyed sounds of Thee Majestics along with a DJ and mariachis. The annual event raises money for the Contreras Scholarship Fund. The party included midnight menudo.

Hundreds of folks headed to the Padre Hotel for a New Year's Eve "Under the Stars." The party included three DJs, three dance floors and live music, along with a champagne toast.

While most events were fairly friendly, police say there were several reports of people firing celebratory gunshots into the air. Officers warn this is not only dangerous, but illegal.

This is just a glimpse into some of the many ways Kern County brought in 2014.
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Shots ring out at new year's party

January 1, 2014, 1:24 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Shots rang out at a new year's party at a rental hall in south Bakersfield early Wednesday morning.

It happened just after 1 a.m.  Police say several fights broke out and at least one person pulled out a gun and fired four or five times.  At least two people were hit. "There were we believe two victims, may be more of gunshot wounds from the incident. One of the vehicles that fled the area, crashed just up the road here on Wible Road."

Police said they were still checking hospitals for others who may have been shot.  No word on extent of injuries to the gunshot victims, or any arrests.

The investigation is ongoing.


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Cancer center distributes hundreds of meals to homeless

January 1, 2014, 6:07 pm
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BAKERSFIELD,CA--Serving food to the needy. That's how physicians and staff from the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center spent New Year's Day.

For the past 11 years, the CBCC has given those in need, a positive start for the new year.

"The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation, CBCC, the staff, the physicians and their families all get together and help out feeding the homeless," said medical director, Dr. Ravi Patel.

The foundation works with the Bethany Homeless Center and the Mission at Kern County to provide a traditional holiday meal for more than 400 people. Guests were transported to the CBCC to enjoy the meal.

"I'm really blessed, it's a wonderful way to start the new year," said Daniel Nakahir.  

Not only did each guest receive a meal but the foundation distributed gift bags filled with items to help them through the winter.

"Many of them have to keep on moving because they cannot stay in the homeless shelter all the time. So, one of the problems in the cold weather is that they don't have enough sometimes clothes or gloves or socks," said Dr. Ravi Patel.

The gift bags also included hygiene kits and books for children.

Dr. Ravi Patel says events like these aren't possible without the giving spirits of his staff.

"They all come out and they want to share whatever time they can for others. They are just very kind, generous people."

People who've been served at this event in the past also came back Wednesday morning to return the favor and volunteer to serve the needy.
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2-Day e-waste event

January 2, 2014, 7:04 am
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BAKERSFIELD, CA-  Cal State Bakersfield's Staff Forum is holding a 2-Day e-waste recycling event Friday and Saturday.

Come bring your unwanted and outdated electronic items from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the lot on Camino Media and Southwest Drive behind the campus

Staff Forum cannot accept batteries, light tubes or bulbs, mercury waste, used oil or large appliances.

Please contact Kern County Waste Management Department for proper recycling of these items.
Complete information can be found at the following link: http://www.co.kern.ca.us/wmd/Pdfs/KernCountyRecyclingGuide.pdf.

For more information on the recycling event call 654-2581.
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Crisis training exercise at Bakersfield College

January 2, 2014, 7:09 am
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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Local first responders are taking part in a crisis training exercise today, simulating a large scale incident at Bakersfield College. Law enforcement and other agencies from around the county will be here at BC Thursday morning to simulate response to a crisis.

Bakersfield police say this is a rare training they only have about every five years.

They're not releasing specifics on this event. They say it's important to have a real reaction from responders, media and the public.

BPD public information officer Sergeant Joe Grubbs said, "There are crisis that happen throughout the united states and we want to just be prepared for those type of events so it takes practice and exercise to work through those types of events and that's what we're looking for."

Participants will be getting here at 6 a.m. for a briefing. the event will begin at 9 a.m. and last until around 2 p.m.

During this time, all roads around the campus and portions of the school will remain open. They're asking the public to avoid coming to BC if possible, while the training is taking place.
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First responders hold training exercise at Bakersfield College

January 2, 2014, 12:12 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Local first responders are taking part in a crisis training exercise, simulating a large scale explosion and shooting at Bakersfield College.

The drill got underway at about 9:00 Thursday morning.  During this time, all roads around the campus and portions of the school will remain open, but they're asking the public to avoid coming to BC if possible, while the training is taking place.

Bakersfield Police say this is a rare training they only have about every five years.   It's set to wrap around 2 Thursday afternoon.


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All hailing taxi service on New Year's Eve

January 2, 2014, 4:35 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The number of DUI arrests in the Golden Empire might have been higher if not for some free rides offered to anyone who overindulged over the New Year. While hundreds took advantage of them, others say the long waits left them looking for other safe alternatives.

Many of the businesses offering free rides are still compiling the numbers to see just how many took advantage of the service. But, United Cab Company knows it took in more than 1,000 calls on that single night and morning alone.

"We were slammed with multiple calls," said Annette Varon, a manager at the company.

The phones at United Cab Company started ringing as soon as free rides were ready to roll at 8 p.m.

"Absolutely. I want to say we got several calls from people who were very intoxicated," said Varon.

This is the third year United Cab has offered the Bud Light Designated Driver program thanks to an Advanced Beverage Company sponsorship.

On New Year's Eve, four people were answering three phone lines, and two dispatchers would send out the twelve cabs in their fleet. All of the calls are logged on stacks of papers. Varon says the wait times ranged from 20 to 45 minutes.

"I'm not going to say we didn't miss any, but we did miss a few. However, we did have several meetings ahead of time. We set up a small coalition of people to be able to help prepare and be able to have a successful night," said Varon.

But, opinions ranged on the service on our KGET TV-17 Facebook page. Fernando Picazo wrote, "I called about 10 times and waited 3 hours, then decided to annoy my parents to drive my intoxicated butt home."

And Hope Ramos-Perez said, "Never got through to that free taxi service."

But, Varon still feels the free rides saved lives, taking in more calls then ever before and encouraging tipsy travelers ready to hit the road, to remain patient.

"They mentioned that if we didn't get there soon, they were going to jump in their car and were going to drive even though they were drunk. We also did a little bit of counseling on the phone and explained to them to sit and relax and be patient. We promise we will get a cab there," said Varon.

GET Bus also offered free bus service and AAA offered free rides and towing on New Year's Eve. They both say they will have their ridership numbers next week.

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Local agencies participate in school shooting drill

January 2, 2014, 5:30 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Local law enforcement surrounded Bakersfield College in the air and on the ground Thursday. It was all part of a crisis exercise to prepare law enforcement for a major incident like an active shooter.

"Those can happen anywhere, anytime, at any school and we need to be prepared for those," said Sgt. Joe Grubbs, Bakersfield Police Department.

The drill was treated as a real life incident. Several agencies including the BPD, Kern County Sheriff's Department, Kern County Bomb Squad and SWAT all worked together to contain the shooter.

"With all the agencies working together, we've had several meetings to come together. We didn't plan the expected through it all. A lot of this was unplanned so that we would react," said Anthony Galagaza, Bakersfield Fire Department.

"So that the personnel involved in the training scenario could get the type of training that they would need in case a large scale event like this does occur. Hopefully it doesn't, but we want to be prepared just in case it does," said Ray Pruitt, Kern County Sheriff's Department.

More than 300 personnel from eleven agencies responded to different scenarios as the exercise unfolded. Police in protective gear stood behind trees, snipers in camouflage hid behind rocks and bushes and surrounded the Language Arts building where there were reports of a hostage. The incident began with a simulated explosion on a GET Bus near the campus.

Aside from law enforcement and emergency responders, mental health professionals were also on the scene to help students.
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