Daily Briefs


Suspect arrested in stabbing near Lopez Lake

One person is in custody and two others are in serious condition following a stabbing at a remote property near Lopez Lake on Saturday. Shortly before 10 a.m., the suspect allegedly stabbed two women multiple times at a home at... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria bandit sought for nine bank robberies

The FBI says the man who robbed a Coast Hills Credit Union on Wednesday is linked to nine bank robberies in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. Authorities have deemed the serial robber the “Seasoned Bandit.” On Wednesday, the Seasoned... (Continue reading)

SLO prowler spotted outside and inside bedroom windows

San Luis Obispo police are searching for a prowler or prowlers who have been spotted several times outside victims windows at night and have even reached inside and touched individuals while they were asleep. Over the last two weeks, police... (Continue reading)

SLO police searching for credit card thieves

San Luis Obispo police are searching for a pair of thieves who were caught on surveillance film Wednesday using stolen credit cards. On Wednesday, a man reported to the San Luis Obispo Police Department that multiple credit cards were stolen... (Continue reading)

Lompoc kidnapper allegedly forced victim to marry him in Vegas

Surveillance footage shows that during this week’s kidnapping escapade Joseph Hetzel forced Virginia Paris to marry him inside a Las Vegas wedding chapel. [KCOY] Paris’s daughter, Melissa Villabla, said Hetzel forced Paris to marry him in exchange for allowing her... (Continue reading)

SLO Council selects Derek Johnson as next city manager

As requested by outgoing City Manager Katie Lichtig, the San Luis Obispo City Council has selected Lichtig’s second-in-command to be the city’s next top executive. On Wednesday, the council unanimously directed that contract negotiations begin with Johnson for the city... (Continue reading)

Coast Hills Credit Union robbed in Santa Maria

A man wearing a cap with the word “Cali” robbed a Coast Hills Credit Union in Santa Maria on Wednesday and has since managed to evade capture. Around 5 p.m., the robber entered the Coast Hills branch on Bradley Road... (Continue reading)

Lame duck California Republican leader accused of sabotage

On his way out as leader of California’s Assembly Republicans, Assemblyman Chad Mayes has shuffled legislative committee assignments, Capitol offices and campaign funds, prompting allegations that he is punishing those involved in his ouster and rewarding the lawmakers who sided... (Continue reading)

Lompoc kidnapper arrested in Las Vegas

A Lompoc man suspected of kidnapping and holding his ex-girlfriend captive for four days was arrested Tuesday in Las Vegas. On Monday evening, Joseph Hetzel, 52, released Virginia Paris, 55, in front of a hotel in Henderson, Nevada. Paris told... (Continue reading)

Pismo Beach man busted again for selling drugs

  Nearly one year to the day after a Pismo Beach man was arrested for hit-and-run and selling prescription pills, he was arrested again, this time during a narcotics raid. On Sept. 1, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Narcotics... (Continue reading)