Local News

Fresno Couple Indicted for Armed Robberies in Fresno

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment today against two Fresno residents, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Felipe Barajas, 25, was charged with interfering with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of an unregistered firearm. Brittney Manzo, 24, is charged with two counts of interference with commerce by robbery.

According to court documents, between Oct. 30 and Nov. 21, 2019, Barajas robbed at gunpoint three commercial establishments in Fresno, and attempted to take money from one other. On Nov. 21, Manzo drove the vehicle in which Felipe Barajas fled after two of the incidents. Manzo led police on a pursuit and ultimately both she and Felipe Barajas were apprehended after the vehicle crashed and both attempted to run away.

Federal Firearm Charge Brought Against Fresno Man Involved in Hit-and-Run

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Mario Alberto Rangel, 28, of Fresno, charging him with unlawfully possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony crime, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on Oct. 22, 2019, law enforcement officers attempted to stop Rangel for a traffic violation, but he failed to yield and fled in the vehicle at a high rate of speed. Out of concern for public safety, the officers ceased their pursuit but continued to drive in the direction that the vehicle had last been seen.

Prison Officials Investigate the Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer

DELANO – Officials at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) are investigating an incident, which occurred last Saturday on Facility B, as an attempted murder of a peace officer. On Dec. 21, just before 8 a.m., correctional officers instructed inmate Elrader Browning to a search of his person.

Browning quickly produced an inmate-made weapon and began stabbing at staff. Officers gave orders for Browning to stop, but he ignored their orders and continued his attack. Staff used physical force to stop his assaultive actions and confiscate the weapon.

Good News: California's Population Growth Has Slowed. Bad News: Overpopulation and Its Effects Force People to Flee

VENTURA - According to California's Department of Finance (DOF), the state grew by "only" 141,300 over the last year, but that was only because of a net outflow of almost 200,000 Californians to other states. The official state estimate for July 1, 2019, puts California's population at 39.96 million, a growth rate of 0.35 percent, the lowest recorded rate since 1900.

The DOF estimate indicates that the net domestic outmigration of 198,000 was offset by foreign immigration of 158,000 and natural increase (births minus deaths) of 181,000. Immigration drives population growth in the U.S., and even more so in California. According to the Pew Research Center, "Future immigrants and their descendants… are projected to account for 88 percent of the U.S. population increase," between 2015 and 2065.

DUI Checkpoints in the City's of Fresno and Madera Saturday

FRESNO - Officers from the Fresno Police Department will be out Saturday, December 28, 2019, looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

DUI saturation patrols will take place in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests. In 2017, 1,120 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads. In 2018, the Fresno Police Department investigated 391 DUI collisions which have claimed 8 lives and resulted in another 70 injuries.