Man charged with murder over Nipomo crash
San Luis Obispo County prosecutors charged a Santa Maria man with murder over a DUI crash in Nipomo that killed an 82-year-old woman. [Cal Coast Times] At about 10: 30 p.m. on Dec. 1, Edgar Saul Rojas Morales, 23, was driving north in the southbound lane of Thompson Avenue when...
Lompoc kidnapper sentenced to 11 years in prison
A Lompoc man who kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and held her captive for four days as he fled to Arizona and then Nevada has reached a plea deal that will result in him receiving an 11-year prison sentence. [KSBY] Joseph Hetzel pleaded no contest Tuesday to kidnapping, an offense that counts...
Body found on Santa Barbara beach identified as former pro surfer
The man whose body was found on a Santa Barbara beach on Saturday has been identified as former professional surfer and commercial fisherman Chris Brown, 48. [Cal Coast Times] At the age of 17, Brown won the juniors division of the 1988 World Amateur Surfing Championships held in Puerto Rico....
Woman leads officers on high-speed chase in SLO County
A San Francisco woman fled CHP officers on Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo County Monday afternoon in a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph. [KSBY] At about 12:30 p.m., a CHP officer attempted to stop a driver who was reportedly speeding and weaving in and out...
Arroyo Grande man’s sentencing delayed, changing his name
By KAREN VELIE As an Arroyo Grande man awaits sentencing for the violent assault of his girlfriend, he is working to leave his past and his name behind. [Cal Coast Times] At a sentencing hearing on Jan. 17, San Luis Obispo County Judge Barry LaBarbera agreed to a three months...
Two Santa Maria men allegedly beat man during home invasion
Two Santa Maria men showed up at the home of a 65-year-old man early in the morning, claiming to be sheriff’s deputies, then robbed and brutally beat the victim, fracturing his skull, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. [Cal Coast Times] At about 5 a.m. on Jan. 12,...
Paso Robles officer injured in altercation with suspect
Two people, one of whom is a police officer, suffered injuries Monday morning after a man under the influence of an illicit substance and carrying a “blade” allegedly engaged in multiple altercations at a Paso Robles park. [KSBY] Cordel Cryer, 23, allegedly attacked a person with the blade at Centennial...
