#ICYMI: A roundup of
notable incidents involving the California Highway Patrol (CHP) this past
week, including six CHP officers honored with a Medal of Valor for heroic
actions, teamwork leads to the apprehension and arrest of an attempted murder
suspect, the arrest of an entire chapter of a motorcycle club in Bakersfield
for a string of violent charges, the recovery of $8 million in stolen cargo
in Southern California, and the Special Olympics torch relay stops at the
State Capitol. 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.
SIX CHP OFFICERS
RECEIVE MEDAL OF VALOR Six CHP officers were presented with a prestigious Gold
Medal of Valor during a ceremony on June 25 at the CHP Academy in West
Sacramento. The Special Act Award, given on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom,
is the highest honor the state can bestow upon its employees who have risked
their lives to save others or protect state property. 2.
HIGH-SPEED PURSUIT LEADS
TO ARREST OF AN ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT
On June 22, a CHP Capistrano officer was conducting a
traffic break to close a section of Interstate 5 for a roadway hazard. During
this time, a woman driving a black Mercedes used the center median to pass
the officer and stopped traffic. Another CHP unit located the Mercedes and
attempted to conduct an enforcement stop. The driver failed to yield, and a
pursuit ensued. The pursuit continued into the CHP Oceanside Area, where CHP
Oceanside units took over. The driver of the Mercedes traveled to a San
Marcos residence, intentionally crashing into an unoccupied vehicle. Exiting
the vehicle with a large cleaver-style knife, the driver was arrested by CHP
officers without incident. Further investigation revealed the pursuit ended
at her estranged husband’s residence, where she intended to kill him with the
knife. The suspect was later booked into Orange County jail for felony
evading, attempted murder, and other crimes. 3.
ENTIRE CHAPTER OF
OUTLAW BIKER GANG ARRESTED On June 25, law enforcement officials announced the
arrest of six suspects and the recovery of numerous weapons. All the suspects,
who have ties to a motorcycle club in Bakersfield, face several charges,
including kidnapping, first-degree robbery, assault with a firearm, false
imprisonment, and elder abuse. They were booked into the Kern County
Sheriff’s Office Lerdo Facility. The arrests followed a joint investigation
by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kern County
Sheriff’s Office, and the CHP. 4.
CARGO THEFT STING
NETS $325K IN CASH, $8M IN STOLEN GOODS, AND 51 ARRESTS A monthslong investigation into a cargo and
vehicle theft operation in Southern California resulted in more than 50
arrests and the recovery of over $8 million in stolen cargo and hundreds of
thousands of U.S. currency. On June 20, CHP was part of a multi-agency,
multi-location search warrant operation within three counties in California
and one location in Arizona. The 51 arrestees were booked at the San Bernardino
Sheriff’s Department West Valley Detention Center for numerous felonies
related to train burglaries, conspiracy, vin-switched stolen vehicles,
operation of a methamphetamine lab, methamphetamine for sales, child
endangerment, and possession of assault weapons. This is an active and
ongoing investigation. 5.
GUARDIANS OF THE
FLAME On June 24, the annual Special Olympics torch relay
stopped at the California Capitol. In the days leading up to the annual
ceremony, CHP personnel throughout the state had the honor of carrying the
Flame of Hope as part of the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. Known
as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members from the Sacramento region
and inspiring Special Olympics athletes carried the Flame of Hope through the
City of Sacramento to the west steps of the State Capitol. The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of
Safety, Service and Security. | 
