Local News

Troubled Veteran Killed Wielding Knife at Madera Police: Michael Robert Novak (59) Dead

MADERA – Late Thursday evening the officers from the Madera Police Department shot and killed a driver who was wielding a knife following a traffic collision on the northbound exit to Freeway 99 at Cleveland Avenue. Officers were responding to a call of a suspected drunk driver traveling on the wrong side of the road on South Gateway Drive.

Madera Police dispatchers received a call around 10:00pm that the suspect was driving in an erratic manner. The caller stayed on the phone with dispatch as he followed the car onto Freeway 99 from the H Street entrance, through the city of Madera before the suspect crashed into a black car at the Cleveland exit on the north side of town.

Fresno Man Sentenced for Carjacking

FRESNO - Nicholas Lobkowski, 39, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to seven years and eight months in prison for carjacking, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on September 28, 2017, Lobkowski carjacked a victim at knifepoint. Lobkowski fled in the vehicle and was located by police. Lobkowski drove recklessly, proceeded through a stop sign without stopping, and crashed into two vehicles, causing injuries to several of the occupants.

Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to Prison for Sexting and Propositioning Teenaged Girl

SACRAMENTO - Timothy Holt, 27, formerly of Susanville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release for transportation of obscene matters, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, the father of a teenaged girl reported that Holt, as an adult correctional officer, had been sexually propositioning his daughter over an internet messaging service. Law enforcement officers took over the girl’s messaging account. Posing as the teenaged girl, officers continued to chat with Holt and agreed to meet him. Officers arrested Holt when he arrived at the meet location.

Dog Pound Gangster Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison

FRESNO - Kiandre Johnson, 25, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday to 11 years and six months in prison for engaging in a conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and using a facility of interstate commerce to facilitate prostitution, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, in March and April 2016, Johnson conspired with other Dog Pound Gang members to kill rival gang members for the purpose of gaining or maintaining his status within the Dog Pound enterprise. Between March 23, 2016, and April 7, 2016, three Dog Pound members or associates were shot or shot at by rival gang members.

DUI Checkpoint Some Where in Fresno This Weekend

FRESNO - The Fresno Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

DUI Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.