#ICYMI: A roundup of notable incidents involving
the CHP this past week, including a $218k retail theft bust, eagle-eye
justice, an impressive return to duty, three decades of El Protector, and
“paws” for applause. The
list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt
from each announcement. Click on the
headlines to access accompanying assets that are available for download. 1.
TEN SUSPECTS ARRESTED
IN MASSIVE $218K RETAIL THEFT BUST A joint task force made up of officers from the
California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Police Department
arrested 10 suspects in connection with a massive retail theft operation. The arrests were made after investigators
discovered more than $218,000 in stolen retail merchandise in the backyard of
a Los Angeles residence. 2.
CHP AIR OPERATIONS
UNIT SOARS IN MURDER INVESTIGATION
The CHP Inland Division Air Operations Unit used their airplane,
Air-81, to help Barstow Police Department catch a suspect wanted in
connection with murder and vehicle theft.
On Saturday, Sept. 23, Air-81 spotted the suspect from high above after
ground units located the abandoned stolen vehicle on Route 66 near Amboy,
Calif. The suspect was detained by
officers from the CHP Barstow Area office.
3.
CHP OFFICER’S
TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO SERVICE AFTER INJURY
The Solano Area CHP welcomed back CHP Officer Gurjot
Bhangal, after a crash left him hospitalized over a year ago. In the early morning hours of Sept. 11,
2022, Officer Bhangal and his partner were on an enforcement stop when their
patrol car was struck from the rear by an impaired driver. Officer Bhangal suffered major injuries and
was flown to John Muir Hospital. The
Solano Area proudly shared news of the dedicated officer’s return to service
with a social media post.
4.
CHP’S EL PROTECTOR
PROGRAM TAKES CENTER STAGE DURING LATINO HERITAGE MONTH For more than three decades, the CHP has been proactively
involved in a traffic safety outreach program designed to promote safe
driving behavior and build better relations with the Latino community. To find out how the CHP’s El Protector
Program got it’s got start, take a look at this recently released documentary. 5.
CHP BIDS ONE OF ITS
HEROIC ‘PAWTNERS’ FARWELL After an impressive six-year career (or 42 dog years),
CHP K-9 Blade has retired from service. Since 2017, CHP K-9 Blade and his handler,
Officer Jay Sides, recovered 847lbs of Methamphetamine, 165lbs of Cocaine,
4kg of Heroin, 113lbs of Marijuana and more than $4.8 million in cash. The CHP’s canine program was designed to
support the Department’s mission of providing the highest level of Safety,
Service and Security to the public and to assist allied agencies during
emergencies. The mission of the CHP is to
provide the highest level of Safety, Service and Security. | 
