WOODLAND HILLS—On Sunday, January 18, at approximately 3 a.m., a small, gray Chevrolet SUV, drove off the top of 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills at the Shoup exit.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver left the freeway crashing into La Plaza strip mall, took out approximately 50 feet of fence, before crashing into some of the businesses. The driver was able to exit his vehicle and walk away from the accident.
CHP spokesperson, Matt Gutierrez indicated that since the driver left the scene of the crash, it is considered a hit-and-run accident.
Businesses were closed at the time of the crash and there were no reported injuries. Anyone with details on the incident should contact local authorities as the suspect is still at large.
By Sharon
BRENTWOOD—On September 5, California Governor, Gavin Newsom, and Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass, announced that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) with assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will be providing Kamala Harris with the security detail she needs as she begins her 15-stop tour for her new book, “107 Days.”
On August 28, multiple news reports circulated that President Trump issued a memo that, “Stripped former Vice President, Kamala Harris, of her security detail just as she began her book tour.”
The truth is that sitting Vice Presidents are entitled to six-months of security detail. Prior to leaving office, former Vice President, Joe Biden, extended the time of her detail.
President Trump did revoke Harris’s security detail which reportedly goes into effect Monday, September 8th. Her six months of protection by Secret Service would have typically ended in July. Former VP Harris received an extra two months of security protection.
Reports indicate that it was a trip to South Africa taken by Hunter and Ashley Biden with an 18-person security detail paid in full by the U.S. government.
The only government employees who are entitled to lifetime security are former Presidents and first ladies, and their children until they reach the age of 16.
The rule of lifetime security protection for former sitting Presidents was signed into law during the Obama Administration in 2013 reversing the previous law that allowed for 10 years of protection by the Secret Service.
Now, as a private citizen, the state of California has taken on Harris’s security detail.
In October of 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Harris is entitled to federal pension of $18,800. Annually based on her accrued time as Vice President and Senator.
In addition, former Vice Presidents benefit from lucrative book tours and public speaking engagements.
The following came directly from a November 4, 2024, issue of Forbes Magazine estimating former Vice President and Doug Emhoff’s financial worth.
“Thanks to her decades in government and wealthy husband, Kamala Harris has built up quite a nest egg, and she’s only gotten richer since becoming vice president.
Forbes estimates her net worth, along with gentleman Doug Emhoff, at about $8 million, up from $7 million in 2021. That’s roughly 20 times the median worth of Americans in the same age bracket.
MALIBU—On Friday, August 29, three children ages 2, 7, and 9 had to be air lifted to UCLA Medical Center after the car they were sitting in was stolen in East LA. The driver led California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers on a high-speed chase passing through Santa Monica on I-10 Freeway. The pursuit ended in a crash on Kanan Dume Road. All three of the children were injured.
FOX11 interviewed the mother of the three children who were reportedly injured and traumatized in the carjacking.
The mom was speaking in Spanish as she retold what happened as she left the car briefly to go into the 7-11 on E. Olympic Boulevard to get the kids a treat. Her husband and uncle were parked right next to her car. At the same moment the father was called away.
It was during that moment that the car thief jumped into the vehicle. The father and uncle attempted to fight off the man to no avail.
Reports indicate that the suspect escaped the vehicle after hitting another vehicle and ran up an embankment into a neighborhood nearby. The suspect was attempting to steal another vehicle when police captured him and took him into custody. His name has not been released to the public.
The Fox News reporter indicated that the children had unbuckled themselves as they were trying to escape the vehicle. The children were all hurt. The middle child was hurt the worst. They are home. Their physical wounds are expected to heal, but the trauma remains.
A GoFundMe has been set up to assist the family as both parents work, and their vehicle was totaled in the crash.
PACIFIC PALISADES—On April 23, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) West Valley, Sergeant, pulled over a white pick-up truck for an expired tag/registration in the vicinity of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) just East of Sunset Boulevard. Upon further investigation, the Sergeant on patrol discovered that the driver, later identified as, Ernesto Algeria Ramirez, of Norwalk, was in possession of approximately 1,000 lbs. of copper valued at $5,000.
Ramirez initially told the arresting officer that the copper was taken from a job site with permission. The company foreman arrived on the scene informed officers that the suspect was not authorized to take the materials.
Ramirez was arrested for Grand Theft under California Penal Code 487(a) and booked into the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station.
CHP is monitoring the Palisades area during their rebuild projects.
Photo Credit: Thomas Kinto
Copper theft has continued to be a problem that according to reports has grown to an international level.
On April 24, an article in CAMBIO 21, a publication that covers Coquimbo, Chili announced the arrest of Jose’ Antonio Kast, who was allegedly linked to a criminal gang leader who was arrested for copper theft(s) in Coquimbo.
The following is part of a report published in CAMBIO 21 regarding international crime and copper theft that may or may not be connected to the thefts in this area.
As part of Operation Red Gold, carried out by the Investigative Police and the Coquimbo Regional Prosecutor’s Office, Francisco San Martín Álvarez, a well-known local businessman and former mayoral candidate for the Republican Party led by José Antonio Kast, was arrested after being identified as the leader of a criminal organization dedicated to the theft, sale, and illegal export of copper.
According to the investigation, the gang operated in Calama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, and Santiago. The regional head of the PDI, Inspector Prefect Ernesto Bórquez, stated that “this began as a crime of receiving stolen goods here in La Serena and later moved to the storage facilities in Calama. They then transported the copper to the city of Coquimbo and then to the final destination, which are foundries in Santiago to produce copper cables that are exported to India and Belgium.”
Eighteen people were arrested during the operations, including seven foreigners. Additionally, $160 million, 10 vehicles, and motorcycles were seized. Coquimbo Regional Prosecutor Patricio Cooper said that this case “demonstrates the strength of police and investigative work, adding that it dealt an “economic blow to a criminal organization.”
MALIBU—On December 26, at 1:11 a.m., 911 operators received a call of a brush fire. Malibu Search and Rescue (MSAR) reported that a vehicle flew off the road and over the side of a mountain igniting a brush fire near Mulholland Drive and Stunt Road in Calabasas. Reports indicate that street car racing may be to blame for the incident.
Firefighters arrived at the scene to a quarter-acre brushfire moving upward. Firemen on land were able to contain the fire within an acre until Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Ops dropped water from above. Together, they extinguished the flames.
Reports indicate that a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer heard a man shouting for help, close to an hour after first responders arrived at the scene. The MSAR team was able to locate the injured driver who indicated that his car had been pushed off the roadway by two cars that were street racing.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. His condition is unknown. Officers temporarily shut down Stunt Road following the incident.
Photo courtesy of the city of Malibu Facebook page.
MALIBU—The city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that the California Highway Patrol announced that Topanga Canyon Boulevard will be closed to non-residents from Mullholland Drive to Pacific Coast Highway Wednesday, November 6 through Friday, November 8 until 6 a.m.
Due to the current Red Flag Warning with extreme fire danger (strong Santa Ana winds/low humidity). Motorists are asked to seek alternate routes.
The Red Flag Warning, extreme fire danger from Wednesday through Thursday due to high winds. Owners of horses & livestock should consider leaving the area early. Large animal emergency shelter is at Pierce College.
There will be possible power outages possible in most of Malibu on November 6 and November 7 due to extreme fire danger (high wind). Individuals are warned to beware of dark traffic signal on Pacific Coast Highway. Drivers should come to a COMPLETE STOP at all malfunctioning traffic signals under California law and watch out for vehicles not stopping at the signals.
WOODLAND HILLS—On Tuesday, September 3, at approximately 6:00 a.m., a male pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle in the southbound lane on Ventura Freeway flipping him over multiple lanes of traffic. The incident shut down multiple lanes of the 101 Freeway between Winnetka and Tampa Avenue between 6:00-10:00 a.m.
Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) were the first responders on the scene. No information regarding the deceased or the person who struck him has been released to the public at this time.
According to a press release on the CHP website, CHP officers arrested at least 1,100 people for DUI over the Labor Day weekend. The following statement came directly from the website:
“CHP officers kept watch over California’s crowded roadways over the holiday weekend, vigilantly monitoring for instances of impaired driving while implementing a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) that ran from 6:01 p.m. on Friday, August 30, continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 2.
During the 72-hour holiday enforcement effort, CHP officers made over 1,100 arrests for driving under the influence and issued more than 27,000 citations with over 16,200 for speeding alone.”
WOODLAND HILLS—On Wednesday, June 19, at approximately 4:00 a.m., there was a multi-vehicle accident on the westbound lanes of the 101 Freeway near Topanga Avenue exit. One person was struck and killed in the crash. The name of the motorcyclist was not initially published pending notification of the next of kin.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Department later identified the victim of the crash as 32-year-old, Dustin Perdomo. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A friend in mourning posted the following memorial message on Facebook:
“Dustin Perdomo was a very special friend I lost this morning in a motorcycle accident on the 101 freeway. I’m heartbroken. I never got tired of hanging out with you. You were soft spoken and gentle. I could literally tell you anything and you never judged me. I love you my brother and will miss you deeply”
The westbound lanes of the 101 Freeway remained closed until approximately 10:00 a.m.
There were three other vehicles involved in the accident with no other fatalities. There is no more information available at this time.
Freeway photo courtesy of Iain Kennedy via Unsplash
WOODLAND HILLS—On Tuesday, February 4, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the California Hwy Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Station 84 responded to a traffic collision on the 101 Ventura Freeway involving at least one vehicle and one motorcycle.
Paramedics attempted to render aid to the lone victim of the crash, later identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners, 31-year-old Allyson Kiran Sabharwal of Woodland Hills. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities indicated that the incident took place at the off-ramp near Desoto Avenue shutting down all but one lane on the 101 Freeway near Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
The lone victim of the crash may have been struck by a second vehicle. The incident is currently under investigation by CHP.
Those with more information are encouraged to call CHP West Valley at, 818-888-0980. They are located at 5825 DeSoto Avenue.
MALIBU—On March 14, the California Transportation Department (CALTRANS) notified the public with a post on the X, social media site warning travelers that Topanga Canyon Boulevard/State Route 27 is now closed indefinitely due to risks of landslides.
Malibu Photo by Tyrel Johnson
Topanga Canyon Boulevard, also known as State Route 27, was shut down in both directions Saturday between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive.
The full text of the Tweet is below.
PCH and Topanga Canyon Closures in Malibu.
“Northbound Pacific Coast Hwy [PCH] is reduced to one lane at Porto Marina Way, near Big Rock and north of Corral Canyon Road in Malibu. Topanga Canyon Blvd., is closed in both directions from PCH to Grand View Dr. due to slides until further notice.”
On Wednesday, March 13, Caltrans spokesperson, Eric Menjivar first told The Patch that “The closure is necessary because the slide is still active. Our geologists anticipate more material and boulders to come down at this location. There is no estimated time of reopening, and our geologists are on site daily to assess the stability of the hillside.”
Multiple reports suggests that motorists alternate their detours to relieve some of the expected congestion in those areas.
MALIBU—On Wednesday, March 6, authorities reported a driver traveling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction on Pacific Coast Highway was arrested.
The driver was reportedly driving in a stolen white box truck that appeared to have a Lowe’s decal on the side.
According to reports, officers began their pursuit of the alleged truck thief, on the west side of Los Angeles through Malibu and into Ventura County. Video of the suspect was supplied by News Chopper 4 and the Los Angeles Police Department Airship. According to police, the suspect was traveling at close to 80 mph.
After LAPD airship was dispatched, multiple patrol units responded to assist but discontinued the pursuit due to poor road conditions during a torrential downpour. The owners of the stolen box truck had a tracking device on the vehicle and were able to help police pinpoint the suspects’ location.
The box truck nearly missed multiple vehicles before crashing into another box truck traveling southbound on 101 Freeway near Thousand Oaks. Authorities announced the arrest of the suspect at about 2:40 p.m.
The name of the suspect has not yet been released to the public.
MALIBU—On Thursday, January 25, 2024, the city of Malibu announced on its website they approved a long-term contract with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to establish a dedicated three-officer traffic enforcement taskforce to patrol Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) within City Limits.
According to the city’s website, on January 22, 2024, the Malibu City Council approved the contract for the term of two years, with a financial commitment not to exceed $2 million. “Active, visible traffic enforcement is one of the most immediate ways to make PCH safer, and will send a message that speeding and reckless driving will not be tolerated in Malibu. Despite PCH being under Caltrans jurisdiction, the City remains committed to doing everything possible within its jurisdictional ability to make PCH safer,” the city stated on its website.
The Malibu City Council declared a local state of emergency on November 13, 2023, in response to the increasing dangerous conditions on PCH, culminating in the deaths of four Pepperdine students struck by a speeding motorist while walking along PCH in October 2023.
The city of Malibu is focused on improving safety on its 21 miles of PCH, which has been a top priority for the community. The city of Malibu does not control PCH, since its incorporation, but has worked closely with Caltrans, the LA County Sheriff’s Department and other partner agencies to find ways to make PCH safer for residents, motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
According to the City Council Agenda Report, the CHP stopped patrolling Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu in 1991 when the city was incorporated, and the city contracted for law enforcement in Malibu with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). In 2020, Malibu secured a contract with CHP for On-Call Services for special events, but for the past two years, CHP has been unable to fulfill any requests for assistance.
According to a CHP press report, they have about 1,000 vacant officer positions across the state. CHP attributes the staffing issues to a variety of factors, including increasing retirement rates, job preferences in the private sector, and societal influence; similar issues are facing LASD.
WESTWOOD—On Friday October 20 at approximately 5:56 p.m. the California Highway Patrol (CHP) located an individual that fit the description of a suspect wanted in connection with a fatal incident that Lassen County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies had just responded to at 4:48 p.m. the same day.
CHP arrested and detained Edward Harold Biggs in connection with that incident. Reports indicate that witnesses told police that they saw Biggs and the victim, later identified as Marty Robert Ashley Sr., who first responders found lying on the side of the road with severe head and facial injuries. Life-saving techniques were administered to the victim to no avail. Mr. Ashley was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lassen County Sheriff’s deputies indicated that witnesses were able to identify the assailant. CHP officers located Biggs in his big red truck on highway 36 close to Manton Road near Red Bluff. Biggs was taken into custody and according to LCSO is currently incarcerated at the Tahama County Jail on a murder charge.
This case is currently under investigation. If you know anything about the altercation between the victim and suspect you are encouraged to contact LCSO at 530-251-8013.
SHERMAN OAKS—On September 22, at approximately 4:42 a.m., a man traveling at a low rate of speed crashed into the back of a semi-truck on the 405 Freeway at North Mulholland Drive.
According to reports by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers responding to the scene discovered a dark colored 1969 Volkswagen lodged underneath the semi-truck. The driver, who was trapped inside the Volkswagen Beetle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway due north of Mulholland Drive were shut down after authorities requested a hard closure. A Sig Alert was issued for the No. 4 and 5 Lanes backing up traffic for nearly two hours.
The name of the deceased has been withheld pending the notification of the next of kin. This accident is currently under investigation as the cause of the accident and the liability are unknown.
MALIBU—On Friday, June 9, a woman in a 2002 silver Mercedes drove off the Pacific Coast Highway and into the Pacific Ocean.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit shared video of the rescue as the California Highway Patrol (CHP) ground and water worked with the aviation unit to get the lone victim of the crash out of the water, above the rocky shores of Malibu. She was hoisted onto the gurney and into the helicopter.
According to CHP, the driver was airlifted to Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks where she was listed in serious condition. She is expected to recover from her injuries. There was no evidence of a possible DUI.
Reports indicate that the driver’s car was recovered on Sunday, June 11. The name of the victim has not been released.
WOODLAND HILLS—A driver suspected of stealing a catalytic converter led Ventura County Sheriffs and the California Highway Patrol on a high-speed car chase that ended in Woodland Hills on Friday, June 2.
Ventura County Deputies first attempted to pull over a driver in a black Toyota Prius as they suspected a catalytic converter theft was underway in Ventura. The suspect sped away, starting a several-mile chase.
Once on the 101 freeway, the suspect drove at high speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Multiple CHP officers pursued the driver, who at times exited the freeway, driving at high speeds on the wrong side of residential streets.
After two attempted PIT maneuvers, the bumper of the Prius was hanging off and the driver sped off of a dirt embankment to get back on the 101 freeway.
After 2 pm, the driver surrendered with their hands in the air after a third PIT maneuver at the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and De Soto Avenue in Woodland Hills. A female passenger also exited the vehicle minutes later. Both the suspect and the passenger were taken into custody. The names of the suspect and the passenger have not been disclosed to the public.
WESTWOOD—On March 19, at approximately 12:05 p.m., a wreck on Highway 99 and Oswald Road claimed the life of Steven Tadeo, 30, of Westwood.
Reports indicate that Tadeo was traveling northbound on the highway at approximately 65 mph in his Toyota Tacoma truck when the driver of a semi-truck took a left, crossing the highway directly in the path of Tadeo. The semi-truck driver was traveling at an accelerated rate of speed when it struck Tadeo’s car.
Reports from the California Highway Patrol indicate that Tadeo’s truck initially struck the landing gear on the left-hand side of the semi and was pinned underneath. Steven died at the scene from blunt force trauma caused by the crash.
Highway 99 between Barry and Oswald Roads were closed to the public for approximately two hours as officers investigated the crash.
Canyon News reached out to Sutter County Sheriff’s Office where Under Sheriff Scott Smallwood indicated the incident is being investigated by the CHP. Canyon News contacted the CHP for more information, but did not hear back before print.
Anyone with details on the incident is asked to call the CHP Yuba-Sutter Office at (530) 645-6200.
By Sharon
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