Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Three businesses burglarized at Main Street Mall

By SILVIO J. PANTA

Staff Writer

El Centro

police are investigating the overnight break-in of three separate businesses in the same mall on

Main Street

.

No suspects have been arrested as business owners sift through what have been taken during the burglaries that probably occurred between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday, El Centro Police Officer Andrew McFadden.

The monetary value of all the property stolen from the mall at

510 Main St.

was estimated in the thousands.

One business owner believes that someone had a key to unlock a rear entrance door to the mall, but McFadden said entry could have been gained through other areas in the two-story building.

Chief Knight should step down, sergeant said

Police chief should step down, sergeant says

By SILVIO J. PANTA

Staff Writer

El Centro Police Chief Leonard Knight has no trust or confidence in his personnel and was asked Wednesday by a sergeant to step down for the safety of officers.

Sgt. Jeff Mason’s grim commentary was directed to the El Centro City Council as Knight sat quietly behind him looking down.

More than 20 stern-looking police officers attended the long meeting, along with a smattering of administrative workers.

Knight did not rebut Mason’s assertions during the public comments segment of the meeting that was scheduled after 8 p.m.

“We have participated in three team building workshop sessions, which have failed miserably,” Mason said. “It has become evident that the necessary changes will not occur during Chief Knight’s tenure.”

“Therefore, for the safety of our officers and the betterment of our community, we ask that Chief Knight step down as chief of police of the El Centro Police Department,” he said.

Fugitive arrested at Calexico Greyhound station

By SILVIO J. PANTA

Staff Writer

CALEXICO — A fugitive wanted for critically stabbing a security guard during a botched armed robbery attempt at a Palm Desert Home Depot last year was arrested late Tuesday at a Greyhound Bus Station.

Based on information culled during an investigation,

United States

Marshals and detectives with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office arrested Domingo Gamez, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Roberto Vazquez.

No one else was with the 39-year-old fugitive during the 10:30 p.m. arrest. Gamez is suspected of wounding the guard Sept. 9 during a struggle at the business where Gamez allegedly tried to take an electrical tool, Vazquez said.

ECPD finds 98 lbs. of pot in car

Police said Sgt. John Seaman was patrolling in the area of 500 block of Hamilton when he noticed a car parked in the alley.

El Centro police discovered 98 pounds of marijuana in a parked car in the 500 block of Hamilton Avenue on Tuesday, according to an ECPD press release.

“His suspicions were aroused because of the way the car was parked. He began examining the exterior of the car and because of his heightened level of suspicion he requested a narcotics detection dog for an additional search of the car’s exterior,” the press release said.

A detection dog from the Brawley Police Department arrived to aid in the investigation. The dog gave a positive alert on the car, indicating there was contraband inside.

A search of the car produced 98.45 pounds of marijuana in 38 individually wrapped packages.

The vehicle had license plates from Baja California, Mexico and there were no valid vehicle registration found in the car.

The vehicle and the marijuana seized were turned over to the Imperial County Narcotic Task Force for further investigation. No arrests were made.

Charges dropped against two El Centro firefighters

By SILVIO J. PANTA

Staff Writer

Criminal charges are being dropped against two

El Centro

firefighters who were arrested on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle from the California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta fairgrounds, Imperial County District Attorney Gilbert Otero said Monday.

Otero said there was little evidence to support the case involving

El Centro

fire Capt. Raul Ojeda and Firefighter Kevin Baird in the March 5 theft of a 2008 Suzuki DR650.

Based on information the DA’s Office received, there also was not sufficient evidence to show that a theft occurred and that the pair intended to steal it, Otero said.

Ojeda and Baird had been claiming they were playing a prank on the victim’s son, Otero said. The motorcycle was at the

Imperial Valley

Cycle

Center

booth when it was taken.

Otero said the pair appeared to have consumed alcoholic beverages that “probably impaired” their judgment, he said.

Otero said he didn’t know if the motorcycle theft involved more than the two off-duty firefighters who had posted bail following their arrest.

No one has been suspended in the theft case, but El Centro Fire Chief Chris Petree said information is being gathered for a comprehensive internal investigation.

Ojeda has been with the El Centro Fire Department since 1999 and Baird has been with department for two years.

>>Staff writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached 337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com>>

Brawley man arrested for ID theft

BRAWLEY — A Brawley man suspected of using other people’s personal information faces criminal charges following his arrest at a Main Street motel room.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Carlos Benjamin Valenzuela, was booked on suspicion of possession of stolen property, identification theft and forging checks.

Valenzuela’s bail at the Imperial County jail was set at $20,000.

It was not known how many victims may have been involved as the investigation is in still its early stages, Imperial County sheriff’s Investigative Senior Deputy Jorge Cabanillas said Monday.