Police Blotter: Rape Suspect Arrested

According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department news release, on Friday, May 15, 2009, deputies responded to a rape call in the City of Highland. The suspect, 39-year-old Tony Flores, approached the 16-year-old victim while she walking in the area of GreenSpot Road and Boulder Avenue. Flores convinced the victim to walk to a trailer located on Merris St. in the City of Highland where she was raped. Fearing for her safety the victim was unable to flee from the location. The next morning the victim was allowed to leave the property.

On Thursday, May 28, 2009, The Highland Multiple Enforcement Team followed investigative leads into the Mentone area. With the assistance of Yucaipa station deputies, Flores was taken into custody, interviewed and booked into the Central Detention Center. Flores is being held without bail.

Police Blotter: Highland Police Plan DUI Checkpoint

According to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, The Highland Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, May 22, 2009, from 6:00PM to 2:00AM, at Base Line and Golondrina Drive in the City of Highland. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving.

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as insuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. A major component of these checkpoints is to increase awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage sober designated drivers.

A DUI checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Highland Police Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.

Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

San Manuel Donates $500,000 To Stalled Project

According to a release provided by The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians:

Mary’s Mercy Center together with San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is proud to announce the donation of $500,000 from San Manuel towards the construction of Veronica’s Home of Mercy II.

“This very generous donation will put our project back on track towards completion in the next 120 days” stated Father Mike Barry, president of Mary's Mercy Center. “The economy has dealt our Veronica’s Home ministry a one-two punch, so to speak. First our expansion was stalled, and secondly the demand for our services has increased as people lose their jobs and homes. We are forced to turn away women and children every day due to lack of space” stated Fr. Barry “This donation is a tremendous boost to Veronica’s Home, we can now move forward with construction which when completed will provide 80 additional beds to help serve the needs of the San Bernardino area.”

Veronica’s Home of Mercy I currently provides 40 beds for women and their children as well as education and counseling to transition families into self sufficiency. Programs such as GED preparation, drug and alcohol rehab and child development education emphasize growth and wellness for both the mothers and their young children.

“The people of The San Manuel Tribal Government are happy to provide this support to help make sure that there is a place in our community for mothers, when they have nowhere else to go,” said San Manuel Chairman James Ramos.

“With funding coming together we can now move forward towards a late summer completion of the project.” stated Terry Kent – VP of Crestwood Communities, volunteer construction management team.

Police Blotter: Tip Leads To Rock Cocaine Arrest

According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department news release, on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at approximately 4:25 PM, deputies responded to an apartment in the 7330 block of McKinley Street in the City of Highland regarding a We Tip call of possible narcotic activity there. After obtaining a consent to search, Deputies discovered a large quantity of packaged rock cocaine and marijuana inside the apartment and on 19-year-old Vashane Williams. Williams was arrested on suspicion of possession of rock cocaine for sale as well as suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale. He was booked at the Central Detention Center.

The WE-TIP information Hot Line is a valuable tool and in all cases you will remain anonymous, 1-800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.

Police Blotter: Blockbuster Burglary Suspect Caught

According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department news release, on Monday, April 27, 2009 deputies responded to Blockbuster Video at 27889 Base Line in Highland reference to a burglary suspect putting numerous DVDs down the front of his pants in an attempt to conceal them. The suspect then exited the store failing to pay for the merchandise. Once outside the store, he was confronted by deputies and fled on foot across Boulder Avenue and into the Walgreens parking lot dropping DVDs as he ran. He was located hiding underneath a vehicle and taken into custody without further incident. The DVDs were recovered and returned to Blockbuster Video. Kenneth Joseph Williams, age 31, was arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary as well as a parole violation and booked at Central Detention Center.