Category Archives: Chino Hills

Chino Hills Woman Faces 12 Years For Sex Trafficking

Staff Reports

Chino Hills – A chino Hills woman pled guilty to racketeering and aiding and abetting four other suspects for sex trafficking. The charges could result in up to 12 years in federal prison. Although the trafficking was out of state, Ms. Nava ran the business from her Chino Hills home in the 15500 block of Rhyolite Court in Chino Hills, prosecutors said.

Sophia Wang Navas, 50, pled guilty at a Washington County District courtroom in the state of Minnesota. The guilty plea gives up her right to trial and she will be sentenced in October of this year.

Navas was the last of four suspects charged by federal prosecutors after investigators surveilled and arrested the sex-trafficking ring that took place for over two years. They were arrested in 2017 at a Minnesota massage parlor, several private homes, and hotels.

The defendants posted over 20,000 ads fir sexual services on the now federally shut down backpage.com website. The site was shut down last year by the FBI for sex trafficking and for child exploitation, court documents disclosed.

For this particular case women from 32 years old to 45 years old reported to investigators that they were required to earn a minimum of $800 per day, which went towards their housing and food, or they faced being fired and evicted, court documents stated.

The majority of the women were Korean and Chinese nationals working in St. Paul, Blaine, Maplewood, St. Louis Park, Oakdale, College Grove, and Minneapolis in Minnesota.

Other defendants were sentenced earlier this year. Hong Jing, of Irvine, has been sentenced to 8½ years in prison and Fangyao Wu, also of Irvine, was given 20 years’ probation for their roles in the operation. A third person, Dongzhu Jiang, of Minnesota, will be sentenced later this month.

Ms. Navas was allegedly considered the ring leader who was responsible for recruiting and sending women to Minnesota for the prostitution, court records show.

62 Year Old Killed in Traffic Collision

DATE/TIME: Monday, July 30, 2018, at about 12:24 a.m.

INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Collision

LOCATION: Windmill Creek Rd. and Rancho Hills Dr., City of Chino Hills

SUSPECT(S): None

VICTIM(S): Livier Ruvalcaba, 62-year-old, resident of Westminster

SUMMARY: On Monday, July 30, 2018, at about 12:24 a.m. , deputies from the Chino Hills Sheriff’s Station responded to the area of Windmill Creek Rd. and Rancho Hills Dr. in the city of Chino Hills regarding a single vehicle collision. Deputies learned the Toyota Tundra traveling east on Rancho Hills Dr. failed to stop at the intersection and collided with a tree. The front passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and rear passenger were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries.

Deputies from the Region I Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) were called to the scene. The cause of the collision is und er investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Deputy Anthony Ortega at the Chino Hills Station. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or may leave information at http://www.wetip.com.

Refer: Deputy Anthony Ortega of the Region I Major Accident Investigation Team

Station: Chino Hills

Phone No. (909) 364-2000

Case No. 221802431

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

CHPD Investigate Homicide In Butterfield Ranch

Staff Reports

Chino Hills, CA –Chino Hills Police Department is investigating a homicide at an apartment complex which is now described as a possible home invasion robbery. The incident took place at 1 am Saturday.

Deputies were called to the apartment complex regarding a possible home invasion robbery Saturday July 28, 2018, at 12:58 am. When deputies arrived, they contacted the victims outside the apartment and both were suffering apparent knife wounds. The suspect was inside the apartment and was not responding to deputies orders to exit. Deputies requested a SWAT response, as the suspect appeared to be barricaded inside. Several hours later, SWAT officers entered the apartment and found the suspect deceased. Homicide Investigators were requested to conduct the investigation.

Homicide Investigators contacted the victims at the hospital and have determined the victims were in their apartment when a friend arrived at the door. Moments after arriving, the friend (suspect) produced a handgun and demanded a large amount of cash from the victims, turning the visit into a home invasion robbery. The female victim armed herself with a knife, while the male victim fought with the suspect to disarm him. A struggle ensued inside the apartment until the victims were able to escape and call police.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the suspects cause of death. The suspects name will be withheld until family notification can be made.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact the Homicide Detail, Detective Jerry Moreno at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at (800)78-CRIME or http://www.wetip.com. When calling refer to case No. DR#221802420 H#2018-066.

17 Miles of Streets Repaired in Annual Street Improvements

By Anthony Saude

 

Chino Hills – The $1.5 million annual street improvement project in Chino Hills includes 17 miles of streets. The patch and repair work has been completed and the application of slurry got underway on Tuesday, July 10th and will continue on weekdays through Tuesday, July 30th.

All American Asphalt is required to distribute door hanger notices on the streets to be affected at least 48 hours before the slurry seal work begins. Residents in affected areas will be required to park their vehicles on neighboring streets and remain off of the fresh slurry for several hours after it has been poured.

Slurry work has already started on Rancho Hills Drive where half of the street was slurry sealed at a time. Residents can expect lane closures in the area as the work continues. Flagging operations will direct traffic to share the remaining open lane and will cause minor delays. A complete schedule of the work is available online at http://www.chinohills.org/StreetProject. Unforeseen conditions may cause a change to the schedule.

The biggest part of the project will be completed west of Chino Hills Parkway on both sides of Grand Avenue and will include the Rancho Hills neighborhoods. The project area also includes streets in lower Los Serranos, Garden Court, and the Buckingham area north of Chino Hills Parkway. Striping work and pavement markings will begin starting the week of July 30th.

According to Public Works Director Nadeem Majaj, the City intends to invest $1 million each year to maintain City streets. This project is funded by the Gas Tax, and Measure I, the half-cent sales tax approved by voters for transportation projects. For additional information please call (909) 364-2770.

 

Man Detained by Chino Hills PD

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – A woman was in her Chino Hills home alone when she heard a knock at her door. Her husband and children had just left for the store when she heard a knock on the door. What happened is something that residents should take note of and inform all family members. Here is the residents experience of the incident in her own words.

We’ve realized that we need Ring more than ever, especially after what we just experienced. About 2 hours ago, my husband left for the store with our kids and shortly after I hear the door bell ring several times and knocking at the door. I look out the window and see a young man looking through our windows and trying to open our side gate. I yelled at him asking what he’s doing and to go away. He goes to my front door again, turns our door knob and yells, “open your door!” I told him to go away again and that I was calling the cops. He walked back to his truck, took another look at my house and drove off very fast. The chino hills police found him minutes later and he is detained. While this is still under investigation, I wanted to remind everyone how important it is to take notes in a situation like this because with all the detail I had, the PD was able to find him. I’m sure if I had Ring, it could have provided the police with a lot more detail about the whole situation. It also made me realize how important it is NOT to answer the door and to go with your gut. Thank you to the CHPD for responding so quickly.

Be careful who you open the door too especially if you are home alone. The resident acted quickly yelling at the intruder and calling the police.

Basketball Hoops Not Permitted In The Street

City Of Chino Hills

 Chino Hills – City of Chino Hills officials have noted an increase in basketball hoops placed in the street. The City will be placing notices on basketball hoops as part of an educational effort to prevent this unsafe practice. “We would like to remind residents that it is unlawful to obstruct the street or sidewalk with play equipment, and that applies to basketball hoops in the public right-of-way,” said Brandi Larson, Code Enforcement Supervisor. “Basketball hoops in the street obstruct parking, motorists, and pedestrians; and can block the street sweeper leaving debris that may get into the storm drains.” The Chino Hills Municipal Code is available online at http://www.chinohills.org/MunicipalCode. The section that applies is 8.12.020(21) which prohibits the placement of any play equipment in the streets, alleys or sidewalks.

 

98 Citations Issued for Illegal Fireworks

By Anthony Saude

Chino – Excitement was growing as the skies were growing dark in Chino and Chino Hills on the fourth of July just before the skies lit up like a, well like the fourth of July, as residents began their fireworks show —legal and illegal.

Chino police wrote 98 citations for illegal fireworks, modification of safe and sane fireworks, and use of fireworks in parks and off limits locations. It was the most citations written by the police for these violations since 2004.

Chino Hills police only issued three fireworks-related citations on America’s 242nd birthday after three consecutive years of writing zero.

In 2017 Chino police only wrote 64 citations.

The penalty for offenders could be fines of up to $1,000, police said.

Sale of safe and sane fireworks from noon July 1 to 9 p.m. July 4 is allowed in most neighborhoods of Chino. All fireworks are illegal in Chino Hills and the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County boundaries.

A new record was set this year when 2,210 pounds of illegal fireworks was seized by police beginning June 7, it included 1,443 pounds on July 4 alone.

Last year, officers seized 1,189 pounds of illegal devices.

If the fireworks explode, fly or do not have the California Fire Marshal’s seal of approval they are considered illegal.

Teams of police officers and Chino Valley Fire officials scoured both cities, looking for anybody using illegal fireworks, or using legal fireworks in restricted areas.

Three people suffered fireworks-related injuries; the most severe was to a man in his late 40s in the13000 block of Fourth Street. The unidentified man suffered his injury just after 9:30 p.m. when an illegal firework exploded in his hand, causing severe injuries.

Chino Valley Medical Center also reported two people were treated for fireworks-related injuries.

A 21-year-old man injured both thumbs and a 16-year-old boy suffered minor burns and abrasions on his forehead.

32 fireworks-related calls for service came into Chino Hills Police Department. Fireworks calls began around 6:40 p.m. and the last call was received at approximately 4:57 a.m. There weren’t any fireworks-related fire calls received all evening. There was a large bag of fireworks was confiscated as well.

Ten Chino Hills deputies patrolled the city, he added.

A car fire in the parking lot of Harkins Theatre at 3070 Chino Ave in Chino Hills was reported at 10:27 p.m. it was reported to be due to mechanical problems, not fireworks.

In Chino, safe and sane fireworks are legal to use in certain residential neighborhoods, there were 5 fireworks-related fires all reported between 8:51 p.m. and 10:29 p.m.

Trash container fires were reported at 14235 Ramona Ave. and 13157 Ninth St. and a box of used fireworks were burning in a parking lot of Chino Chaffey College Campus at 5897 College Park Ave.

Chino police received 272 fireworks-related calls on July 4, said Chief Karen Comstock.

 

Capt. Goodman exits, Walker enters

Photo: Twitter.com
Captain John Walker is a member of the California Association of Tactical Officers and he holds a Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Supervisory Certificate, a POST Management Certificate and Role of the Police Chief, among his accomplishments

Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – Captain Darren Goodman, chief of police for Chino Hills, will retire from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department after 27 years of service. He will move down the road a ways to become the Chief of Police for the city of Upland.

His last day on the job in Chino Hills will be Friday, July 6.

The former lieutenant at the Highland Police Station, John Walker, has been promoted to captain and will take command of the Chino Hills station on Monday, July 9.

Captain Goodman said the job at Chino Hills challenged him to be a better person and officer every day. He said he was welcomed and supported by residents and city leadership from day one and quickly learned how engaged and passionate residents were about their city.

Goodman always took pride in meeting the expectations of the community to keep Chino Hills one of the safest cities in the state. He praised the sheriff’s department’s men and women of the Chino Hills Police Department for making his job a whole lot easier.

Goodman said he would miss all of them and the great working relationships with city employees.

Incoming Captain Walker began his 21-year career with the sheriff’s department in 1997 during his time he has worked patrol, narcotics, gangs, internal affairs, and SWAT.

He led one of the tactical teams that was mobilized during the Christopher Dorner manhunt and was in dual tactical command during the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino.

Captain Walker is a member of the California Association of Tactical Officers and he holds a Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Supervisory Certificate, a POST Management Certificate and Role of the Police Chief, among his accomplishments.

The new captain is an avid cyclist and long-time member of the Citrus Valley Velo cycling club based in Redlands.

He is also vice president of the Sheriff’s Athletic Federation; their mission is to promote a high standard of physical and mental well-being of law enforcement officers in the sheriff’s department. This is accomplished through the sponsorship of athletic competition.

Captain Walker lives in Riverside with his wife of four years, Angela, and their blended family.

Walker said he values the concept of community policing and looks forward to collaborating with citizens, business owners, and stakeholders to promote positive police and community relations.

Captain Goodman gave a rave review of his replacement saying a better person could not have been picked for the job.

John Walker will be great fit for Chino Hills because of his integrity, strong work ethic, and commitment to community policing. He has in the past done great work forging relationships with the community of Highland, and I have no doubt that he will continue that philosophy here.”

 

Harkins Alcohol Sales Being Appealed

Photo: ibetar.info
Two members of the Chino Hills city council, Art Bennett and Ray Marquez are not on board with the decision. They have asked for an appeal of the planning commission’s decision to allow the sale of beer and wine at Harkins Theatre

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills– The Chino Hills planning commission approved a conditional use permit, earlier this month that would allow alcohol sales in a 20-seat bar area located in the lobby that will replace the arcade games.

Two members of the Chino Hills city council, Art Bennett and Ray Marquez are not on board with the decision. They have asked for an appeal of the planning commission’s decision to allow the sale of beer and wine at Harkins Theatre on Chino Avenue at the 71 Freeway.

The appeal hearing will take place during an in council chambers session at the next council meeting.

Beer and wine are classified as fermented beverages and not liquor. It was previously reported that Harkins was planning to sell liquor but have changed their tune and assure the Council that only beer and wine will be served.

A Harkins representative informed the commission that only beer and wine would be served, even though the conditional use permit stated liquor would also be served, according to community development director Joann Lombardo

Councilman Bennett said in a statement that he is concerned that drinking will take place in a setting where small children may be in the audience.

He says he isn’t against drinking but like some he feels it’s inappropriate for families going into a theater where beer and wine sales are taking place.

Patrons would be allowed to take their alcoholic drinks into the movie theaters but there is two-drink maximum allowed for safety purposes.

Harkins representative Alex Verkruijsse told the commission that there will be trained management staff monitoring the auditoriums in 30 minute intervals. Extra security will be provided on the weekends by guards that have law enforcement backgrounds.

The commission has been informed that the food menu will be expanded to include pizza, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and other food items.

 

 

Artificial Turf Installation At Grand Avenue – Park Lighting Affected

Staff Reports

Chino Hills – Tennis court lighting and walkway lighting at Grand Avenue Park will be off from Monday, June 18 to Monday, July 9 during electrical work that is required for the installation of artificial turf. Lighting on the basketball courts and hockey rink is not affected. Trails adjacent to the park will be gated at dusk due to the reduced lighting.

The $2.4 million project will mean less down time for maintenance, and more playing time on the fields. The turf is provided and installed by FieldTurf USA, Inc. It comes with a 10-year warranty. According to City staff, the product has a patented drainage and layered sub-system with an enhanced volume of infill which has been proven to reduce the potential for injuries.

The turf’s new and improved blades of grass have earned the industry’s highest quality certification rating issued by the nationally accredited testing
firm, LaboSports. “Players will appreciate the new “Cool Play” infill, which is the top layer of infill that holds the blades of grass in place,” said Jonathan Marshall, Community Services Director. “It reduces surface temperatures by over 30 degrees.”
Work is progressing quickly with the goal to be ready for soccer season.

 

Chino Hills Photo Contest Entries Due August 29th

City of Chino Hills

Chino Hills – Chino Hills residents are invited to enter their best photos of Chino Hills in the City of Chino Hills’ second annual Photo Contest. First through third place winners will receive gift cards ranging from $50 to $100, with the grand prize winner receiving a $250 gift card. The deadline is Wednesday, August 29th. There are three categories: Outdoors, Community Life, and Parks and Recreation. Outdoor photos include shots of open space, scenic views, wildlife, parks, scenery, hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. Community life photos include shots of people, events, activities, business, service, and everyday life. Parks and Recreation photos include shots of children and adults involved in City-sponsored recreation classes, activities, and events; as well as local youth sports or activities at parks. The contest is free and open to photographers of all skill levels. A complete list of rules and a digital entry form are available at http://www.chinohills.org/PhotoContest. Photographs must have been taken within the city limits of Chino Hills and photographers may only submit one photo per category. The Grand Prize winner will be selected from among the first place winners and will receive $250. First place winners receive $100; second place winners received $75; and, third place winners receive $50. The winning photographers will be recognized at the Fall Community Center Artist Reception and their winning photos will be displayed from October to December at the Community Center Art Show at the Chino Hills Community Center, 14250 Peyton Drive. Judges will also award Honorable Mentions and those photographs will also be displayed. Residents may email questions to photocontest@chinohills.org, or call (909) 364-2826.

Brush Fire Closes The 71 Freeway

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – A brush fire that started by a car fire was burning in thick brush in the hills south of Chino on Tuesday, June 12 but had not forced any evacuations, officials said.

The flames grew until they had devoured 120 acres after breaking out near Highway 71, south of Euclid Avenue, around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday June 11. The rush hour commuters on the way home for the evening were met with a traffic nightmare. The blaze is being dubbed the Euclid Fire.

The blaze was only about 15 percent contained by 10:30 p.m… The efforts by the fire department played no small part in the fact that it had not yet presented a threat to any structures.

Smoke from the fire was still presenting a problem for residents, and it had spread as far as Perris, fire officials said.

The 71 Freeway was shut down for a time for safety purposes, but it was later reopened.

The incident began when a car caught on fire an area susceptible to dry brush that could have sparked the blaze, but authorities had not confirmed what led to the fire.

120 firefighters were at the scene called on from several agencies, including the Corona, Riverside, Ontario fire departments and Chino Valley Fire District. They fought the fire with a ferocity that is only reserved for the most courageous of men. One crew member was being evaluated for an injury that was not life-threatening, Cal Fire said, without providing further details.

At one point during the event the flames were attacked using a team of helicopters.

Fire officials did not say in which direction the blaze was spreading. No further details were immediately available.

 

 

Chino Hills Man Crashes Into Fire Hydrant

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – On Saturday, May 26, at approximately 12:25 am, a red Chevrolet Corvette, hopped the curb and tore out a stop sign in the center median of Glen Ridge Drive at the intersection of Pipeline Avenue. The corvette didn’t stop there. It continued driving south until it crashed into a fire hydrant on the east side of Pipeline Avenue. The fire hydrant was completely sheared off causing huge amounts of water to spray high into the air and flood the streets. The driver of the corvette was later identified by deputies, as Peter Smolanovich. Smolanovich was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in violation of CVC 23152(b). City workers had to be called out to the scene to shut the water off that lead to the broken fire hydrant.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Deputy D. Martinez at the Chino Hills Police/Sheriff’s Station at (909) 364-2000.  If you wish to remain anonymous you may contact WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME.

New Ordinance For Grow Houses?

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – The city council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers to consider a new ordinance that would go into effect immediately because of the recent increase of marijuana grow houses in Chino Hills.

Chino Hills’ building official will be given the right to disconnect service utilities and remove water meters on marijuana grow houses with code violations, if an urgency ordinance is approved by the Chino Hills city council on Tuesday.

When a grow house is discovered a red tag is placed on it because of potential health and safety concerns. The red tag isn’t supposed to be removed until all required repairs, to bring the home up to code before it is released back to the owner for occupancy.

Without the ordinance in place a home owner can obtain a permit for the restoration of the house, once the permit is issued the red tag is removed but the house isn’t approved for occupancy until the repairs are made. What has been happening is that the person who was issued the permit is never heard from again. At that point they or somebody moves in and occupy’s the residence illegally.

The red tag may only be removed when a permit has been issued for the restoration that requires the owner to retain a qualified environmental consultant who must provide the city with an assessment report before restoration can begin.

That regulation isn’t being adhered to on far too many occasions and the process needs to be upgraded to allow a more efficient way to police this problem. Officials are disturbed by this inefficiency because houses used to grow marijuana can contain hazardous conditions such as structural problems, chemical contamination, mold, and electrical tampering.

The ordinance would give the city at least some level of control over when a marijuana grow house can is occupied. According to the language of the ordinance, the building official would be permitted to lock off the water at the same time the house is red tagged, when the house is typically empty.

Once the assessment report is approved, the city will release the water to allow the contractor to enter and begin the restoration process.

 

Chino Hills Police Awarded Wetip 2018 Police Department Of The Year

 Staff Reports

Chino Hills, CA – The Chino Hills Police Department was recently awarded the Police Department of the Year honor for 2017 from WeTip. WeTip is an anonymous national crime reporting resource that was started by citizens to encourage those who have information regarding a crime to share it without fearing for their safety.

 

The Chino Hills Police Department was chosen for establishing a total team response that meets the needs of the community and for utilizing the WeTip program to ensure the safety of the community. The City of Chino Hills continues to rank among the safest cities in California according to 2016 FBI crime statistics.

 

The award was announced during the WeTip’s 45th annual national conference. Over 1.3 million crime reports have come into WeTip since it was founded in Ontario, Calif. in 1972.

Water Rate Increase For Chino Hills

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills -The Chino Hills City Council has approved a new system to bill residents for their water use.

Beginning July 1, the city will give households a “water budget” – or allocation. This allocation will be based on the number of people living at the residence and their daily usage. Outdoor landscaped areas and weather will also help factor into the equation used in determining allocations.

Rates will increase by 8 percent on July 1. The city has the option of raising rates another 8 percent on July 1 of each year through 2022.

Approximately 61 percent of customers will see up to a $5 increase per month, according to, a city consultant. About 25 percent of customers will experience a $5 to $10 increase.

Most people in the water industry believe that we will experience another drought, so we need to be stewards with this scarce resource historically available in California. The hope of course is to promote more efficient water use by residents. The City believes they have developed a rate structure that does that and is fair.

The council voted 3-2 Tuesday, May 8, to approve the new rate structure, known as budget-based rates, and rate increases.

Councilmen Brian Johsz and Ray Marquez voted against the proposal while Mayor Peter Rogers, Vice Mayor Cynthia Moran and Councilman Art Bennett voted in favor of it.

Before the vote, the city had received 5,671 qualifying protest votes, fewer than the 11,095 required by state law to defeat the proposal.

About a dozen residents addressed the council on the proposal, some citing concern over the new rate structure and the impact increases may have on senior citizens and lower income residents.

 

Suspect in Chino Hills Robbery Arrested

3rd man still sought by deputies

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – A Hemet resident, a suspect in a brazen robbery at a Chino Hills residence in April was arrested Wednesday, while another man from Perris was already in custody.

Deonta Simuel, 18, of Hemet, was arraigned on robbery charges Thursday in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court after he had been arrested the previous day, according to online court records. He plead not guilty to two counts of robbery during video arraignment proceedings. He is scheduled to return to court May 8 to begin the trial.

A third man is still being sought by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies.

The Chino Hills victims had just arrived home about 7:40 p.m.  on April 19 in the 13000 block of Misty Meadow Court, when three men walked up, forcefully took the residents’ belongings and ran away from the residence, according to a sheriff’s news release.

One of the victims chased the men as they headed for a vehicle, a black Hyundai Accent hatchback driven by the third unknown man. Steven Stephon Williams, 22, of Perris, could not get inside of the car before it fled. He was found and arrested by responding sheriff’s deputies.

Detectives and deputies on the sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail in Chino Hills, conducted several days of surveillance investigation were able to identifiy Simuel as the second suspect in the robbery, the news release stated.

Williams and Simuel are being held on suspicion of robbery at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Simuel is being held in lieu of $350,000 bail.

Online court records show that on April 24, Williams plead not guilty to two counts of robbery as well as an allegation and enhancement for having a prior felony conviction during his arraignment in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court. He is being held in lieu of $450,000 bail and is due back in court June 19.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the robbery can call Detective Seybert at the Chino Hills sheriff’s station at 909-364-2026. To remain anonymous, call the WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or visit the website at www.wetip.com.

 

Child Abuse Suspect Faces 140 Years In Prison

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – A 29 year old Perris man faces 140 years in state prison when he is sentenced in June for sexually abusing two children over an eight-year span in Chino and Perris, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorneys’ office.

A jury of his peers convicted Alberto Ray Chavez, 29, of multiple felony counts in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court on Thursday April 19, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

Chavez was convicted of one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child – sodomy, two counts of sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child 10 years old or younger, three counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger, and two counts of committing a lewd act upon a child, according to a news release.

Sentencing for Chavez will be carried out on June 1 inside a West Valley Superior Courtroom in Rancho Cucamonga. Currently Chaves is being detained at West Valley Detention Center in the city of Rancho Cucamonga.

According to reports out of the Chino Police Department investigators were first alerted to the abuse on January 23, 2016. An investigation into the allegations was launched and Chavez was arrested and booked on February 3, 2016, on the 17500 block of Perris Boulevard in Moreno Valley.

It was determined by the investigating Detectives that Chavez sexually abused the victims over an eight year span on multiple occasions in Chino and Perris, according to Chino police. He pled not guilty to the charges in February 2016.

 

Street Light Inventory Underway

Staff Reports

Chino Hills–During the next few weeks, Chino Hills residents may see employees of Tanko Lighting walking their neighborhoods. The City of Chino Hills is in the process of purchasing approximately 4,500 street lights from Southern California Edison in order to save money. Tanko Lighting is conducting an inventory of the streetlights. Personnel will be wearing vests and have I.D. badges. Their vehicles will include the Tanko Lighting logo. They will be walking through neighborhoods gathering data on the streetlights and logging information on a mobile device. Residents may call the City Yard at (909) 364- 2800 if they have questions. According to City spokesperson Denise Cattern, the City currently pays a lease rate for maintenance and electricity. After an initial purchase price of approximately $2.7 million, the City will take advantage of Southern California Edison rebates to partially pay for a $1.1 million dollar retrofit of LED bulbs to reduce energy costs. The initial investment will be returned after approximately nine years of reduced energy and maintenance costs. After that, the savings are expected to approach $500,000 per year. The ownership transfer will occur in the coming months.

Chino Hills to change water rates, allocations for residents

Anthony Saude 

Photo Credit: Roto Rooter Plumbing.
Caption: Residents could see an 8 percent rate increase as early as July 1 if the proposal is approved

Chino Hills – City leaders in Chino Hills are going to propose a plan to allocate water to customers based on their needs. 

The proposal would allow all households a “water budget” – or allocation. Their budget would be based on the number of people living at the location, their daily household usage, the landscaped outdoor area and the weather. Customers would pay a lower rate for water if they stay within budget and they would pay a higher rate for water used if they go over budget. 

The recommendation of the City leaders would be to base the rates we charge our residents and customers on their personal water usage efficiency. The budget-based rates would encourage water usage efficiency while ensuring fiscal stability of the city’s water fund. 

On another note City officials propose an 8 percent rate increase effective July 1, with the option to raise rates up to 8 percent each year through 2022. 

The City Council is expected to consider the new proposal and the increases at a public hearing at 7 p.m. on May 8 at City Hall, 14000 City Center Drive. 

The proposed rate structure would include three tiers. 

Five things to know: 

  • Tier 1 is the indoor allocation based on a household of four and usage of 55 gallons per capita per day. Tier 2 reflects outdoor usage and is based on the property’s landscaped area and weather. Water users who surpass their Tier 2 allocation would jump into Tier 3, which comes with a higher rate.
  • Outdoor allocation, which was determined using aerial photographs and GIS, is based on an irrigated area of about one-third total lot size. The landscaped area is capped at 3,100 square feet.This information will be recorded and analyzed to ensure that the larger landscaped area you might have the larger your outdoor water budget will be.
  • Outdoor water budgets will go up during hotter months and down in cooler months. There would be a rate reduction for residents who switch to drought-tolerant landscaping. That will give an incentive to residents to be intentional about their water usage.
  • If approved, water users would see an 8 percent rate increase July 1. The city would then have the ability to raise rates up to 8 percent on July 1 each year through 2022. The previous water rates covered 2011-16, however,sincecity staff determined the increases in 2015 and 2016 were not needed the proposal will call for a review every year by the council for an increase, a partial increase or no increase at all that year.  
  • The city mailed notices and protest ballots to water customers in March. Water customers opposed to the rate increases can fill out the attached ballot and return it by mail or in person to the Chino Hills City Clerk’s office, 14000 City Center Drive, by the end of the public hearing May 8. Replacement ballots can be picked up at the City Clerk’s office. Only one protest per property will count. The council can approve the increases if they are not protested by a majority of water customers.

For more information on the city’s proposal or to use the budget-based water rate estimator visit www.chinohills.org/waterbudget.