Staff Reports

Chino Hills – The twenty first annual family poster, essay, and photo contest ends on October 5you’re your entries submitted. Young artists from kindergarten through high school are invited to submit entries to the 21st Annual Celebrate the Family Poster, Essay, and Photo Contest. Entries are due by Friday, October 5. Participants must be a Chino Hills resident or be a student at a school in Chino Hills to be eligible. Visit http://www.chinohills.org/CelebrateTheFamily for more information and to print the entry form.

Entries may be returned to the school office at participating Chino Hills schools by the end of the school day, on October 5. Entries can also be returned by 4:00 p.m. to the Recreation office at Chino Hills City Hall, 14000 City Center Drive, CA 91709. Two categories are available for entries, based on the child’s grade level: • Students in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster sized 9” x 12” using hand applied mediums, such as crayons, paint, pencils, or pens. • Students in grades 5-8 may submit either an essay (one page, typed, and double spaced) or a 9” x 12” poster using hand-applied mediums such as crayons, paint, pencils, or pens. Winners will be acknowledged and prizes awarded at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 13. Winning entries will be displayed at City Hall or the Chino Hills Community Center during National Family Week, November 18-24. For more information, call the City of Chino Hills Recreation Department at (909) 364-2700.

By CHPD

INCIDENT: Burglary

LOCATION: Chino Hills

SUSPECT(S): Black male adult/juvenile , wearing heavily ripped sagging denim jeans, multi-colored blue/purple hoodie with white stripe under sleeves, yellow and black boxers, black shoes, blue work gloves, and red patent leather backpack with gold zippers.

VICTIM(S): Confidential

SUMMARY: On Friday August 3rd, 2018, at approximately 10:41 am, a black male adult wearing, blue jeans, purple hoodie, blue gloves and a red backpack was captured on the victim’s video surveillance shattering the glass to the residence rear slider door with an unknown tool (possibly a glass punch). The suspect never entered the residence and is heard on the victim’s video saying “the cops are coming.” The suspect leaves the backyard by jumping over the south wall and was unable to be identified. The suspect left the incident location i n a gray Ford Mustang with a cloth top.

During the attempt burglary it was discovered the residence was occupied by the home owner, including a newborn. The suspect is believed to be related to similar burglaries in Chino Hills and surrounding areas.

Any questions, please contact the Chino Hills Station.

Refer: Deputy G. Perez at the Chino Hills Station Email: Gvperez@sbcsd.org

Station: Chino Hills Police Station

Phone No. (909) 364-2000

Case No. 221802480

Staff Reports

Chino Hills – Beginning September 10, the City of Chino Hills will be adding a 2.5% convenience fee when payments are made via credit and/or debit cards. This fee passes the cost of credit card transactions to the customer paying by credit or debit card. The extra charge will affect customers registering for City classes, programs, and events; and paying for facility rentals; permits; document copies; passport execution and passport photo fees; and, other payments made to the City. Customers making payments by cash or check won’t be affected by the new fee. This convenience fee will also not apply to utility bill payments, or any charges related to utilities, because those credit card transaction charges were already built into the rates. “The City of Chino Hills works to allocate the cost of service to the person benefiting from the service,” said Christa Buhagiar, Finance Director. “This credit card convenience fee is a continuation of that philosophy and charges the credit card customer the costs associated with processing the transaction.” According to Buhagiar, the City is currently absorbing approximately $20,000 for non-utility credit card transactions over the course of a year.

Staff Reports

Chino Hills – Most students in the Chino Valley Unified School District started back to school on Monday, August 13. That means more drivers on the roads and more kids walking to school. “Some back-to-school advice for parents and students is to try and get to school 15 to 30 minutes before school starts,” said Denise Cattern, spokesperson for the City. Parents are encouraged to check their school’s website for information on drop-off patterns. Motorists need to be aware of crosswalks and pay attention to signage that may prohibit left or right turns, U-turns, parking, or stopping. Deputies from the Chino Hills Police Department will be conducting extra enforcement around schools.

“No speeding, no texting, no cell phones, and no U-turns where signs are posted,” said Ms. Cattern. A “no stopping” sign means that motorists MAY NOT EVEN STOP to drop off students. High school students need to obey the “walk” and “do not walk” signs that coincide with green and red traffic signals. If motorists give themselves enough time to get to school, and are courteous to other drivers, the streets and school zones will be a lot safer.”

“The City of Chino Hills and the School District often work together to address safety concerns related to school traffic,” said Captain Walker. “When student drop offs are prohibited or “no left turn” signs are posted, they were placed to address safety concerns caused by those actions.”

A permit is required to park in neighborhoods near Litel Elementary School and Chino Hills High School between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Residents may obtain a free permit at City Hall for vehicles registered to their address. On-street parking on Eucalyptus Avenue is limited to two hours except for vehicles that display a permit. Parents of Ayala students can take advantage of a student drop-off area at the Chino Hills Community Center. Staff will provide direction to motorists during the first few weeks of school. Student drop off is not allowed anywhere on Peyton Drive. The north side of Boys Republic Drive from City Center Drive to Peyton Drive may also be used to drop off Ayala High School students. A wider lane allows drivers travelling on Boys Republic Drive from Grand Avenue to Peyton Drive to pull over on the north (right) side, between City Center Drive and Peyton Drive, to drop off students.

“Ayala parents have the option to travel from Grand Avenue to southbound Boys Republic Drive to access the drop-off area,” said Ms. Cattern. Parking in the City’s parking structure is limited to two hours between 6:00 a.m. and noon unless the vehicle has a parking permit issued to employees of The Shoppes at Chino Hills or the Government Center. Parents picking up students in the parking lot must wait in a parking space. Stopping is not allowed at all in the circular area of City Center Drive near the Library. Many businesses along Peyton Drive, including the Post Office and several churches, prohibit student parking and drop offs because their parking lots were built to accommodate their customers, not students.

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.

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

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.

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 10^th 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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.