Los Angeles, Ca
Firefighters battling 200-acre Jack Fire in Riverside County
Firefighters in Riverside County are battling a 200-acre wildfire just south of Beaumont, officials announced Sunday.
The Jack Fire was first reported at around 4:30 p.m. near the intersection Jack Rabbit Trail and Highway 60, according to a post to X, formerly Twitter, by the Riverside County Fire Department.
Officials said at that time the multiple air and ground resources had been assigned to the rapidly moving vegetation fire, which was burning in the hills.
In an update just before 8 p.m., officials said that wildfire had spread to another 50 acres and was 0% contained.
“Firefighters will remain on scene throughout the night, working to contain the fire,” the Riverside County Fire Department said.
So far, there has been no suggestion that any structures are threatened or that any type of evacuation warnings or orders may be forthcoming.
Some 200 personnel have been assigned to fight the fire, along with one helicopter, 26 engines, four bulldozers and seven hand crews, according to Cal Fire.
No injuries have been reported and the cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
Los Angeles, Ca
Man arrested outside of Trump's Southern California rally with multiple guns, fake press passes
A man was arrested outside of a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in Southern California, and multiple guns were illegally in his possession, according to authorities.
The arrest took place at a checkpoint at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive in Coachella at 4:59 p.m. on Saturday, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said. The rally was scheduled to start at 5 p.m.
The driver of a black SUV, who was later identified as 49-year-old Vem Miller of Las Vegas, was found to be in illegal possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine.
Miller was then taken into custody and booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine.
According to the Riverside County Inmate Information System, Miller was released from the detention center Sunday on $5,000 bail.
The Sheriff’s Office said the incident had no impact on the safety of rally attendees or former President Trump.
No additional details were immediately made available.
Officials didn’t say where the guns were located in his SUV at the time of the arrest.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a noted supporter of Trump, said the incident was “probably” a third assassination attempt on the former President, according to the Southern California News Group.
Bianco told the news organization that Miller presented fake VIP and press passes at the checkpoint, which is what led to the search.
“We probably stopped another assassination attempt,” Bianco told SCNG.
Miller is a registered Republican. He filed to run for Nevada’s state assembly in 2022.
As of Sunday afternoon, Trump hadn’t publicly commented on the incident.
The arrest comes as multiple high-profile attempts of violence against the former President have taken place during the heated election cycle.
On July 13, Trump was grazed in the ear by a bullet coming from the gun of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks was shot and killed by a member of the Secret Service.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is currently being prosecuted on gun charges after he hid out near a Florida golf course in an alleged attempt to have a clean shot at the former President and current Republican presidential nominee on Sept. 15.
Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.
Los Angeles, Ca
Will Donald Trump and Kamala Harris debate again?
(NEXSTAR) – More than 67 million people tuned in to watch former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris debate last month in what may end up being the first and last showdown between the two 2024 presidential candidates.
While there was originally talk of more than one meeting between Trump and Harris, the former president made his intentions clear with a post on Truth Social. “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” he wrote on Sept. 12.
But pressure has been mounting for another debate before the Nov. 5 election, The Hill reports.
Immediately following the first Trump-Harris debate, Harris’ campaign said they were interested in a rematch. Fox News offered to host it.
Weeks passed without movement, before CNN formally invited both candidates to a potential Oct. 23 debate. The vice president accepted the invite and said she hoped Trump would, as well.
“Vice President Harris is ready for another opportunity to share a stage with Donald Trump,” campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said. “Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate.”
But Trump told supporters at a North Carolina rally that it was “too late” for a second meeting.
“She’s done one debate. I’ve done two. It’s too late to do another. I’d love to, in many ways, but it’s too late. The voting is cast,” Trump said.
Following CNN’s move, Fox News once again offered to host a second Trump-Harris debate, but neither campaign has formally accepted that invitation, according to The Hill.
Trump has maintained his stance in more posts to Truth Social this month. “I beat Biden, I then beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again, too far down the line,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Votes are already cast — And I’m leading BIG in the Polls. I’ll MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, she’s incapable of it!”
Los Angeles, Ca
15 arrested in massive Southern California retail theft bust
Fifteen suspects were arrested during a massive retail theft bust in Ventura County.
The multi-day blitz took place at the Camarillo Premium Outlets from Oct. 4 to 6, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Around $23,000 worth of stolen property was discovered by deputies, along with a stolen vehicle, around 90 grams of methamphetamine and various burglary tools.
Deputies were also involved in two separate vehicle pursuits during the operation.
The suspects were identified as:
- Gonzalo Fernandez, 20, of Watsonville
- Andres Flores, 21, of Watsonville
- Derell Jones, 23, of Long Beach
- Bayron Gabriel Rivera Florez, 23, of Los Angeles
- Gerson Sanchez, 25, of Los Angeles
- Martin Munoz, 30, of Oxnard
- Teresa Raya, 30, of Oxnard
- Leando Quinton Willis, 30, of Gardena
- Dajuan Maurice Butler, 31, of Los Angeles
- Qwana Crystal Moore, 35, of Los Angeles
- Keisa Rene Scott Lyn, 42, of Carson
- Lerin Davron Smallwood, 44, of Carson
- Carolina Valverde, 60, of Van Nuys
- Zuelma Rodriguez, 64, of Oxnard
- Male juvenile, 17, of Porter Ranch
The first vehicle pursuit involved Derrell Jones and Dajuan Butler after reported thefts at Target and Walmart stores in Camarillo. The suspects, driving a Ford Mustang, led deputies on a dangerous chase. At one point, patrol units boxed their vehicle in, but the suspects rammed the patrol cars to escape.
The high-speed chase finally ended when the suspects lost a rear tire. Inside the Mustang, deputies found about $7,000 worth of stolen merchandise from various retail stores. They also found 90 grams of methamphetamine.
The second pursuit involved Carolina Valverde after she was seen reportedly stealing from a Nike store at the Camarillo Outlets. Deputies later spotted her car on the 101 Freeway, but she refused to pull over, leading units on a pursuit.
She eventually crashed into a chainlink fence at a California Highway Patrol weigh station. She continued driving erratically around the parking lot before patrol vehicles boxed her in and ended the chase. Around $7,000 worth of stolen merchandise was also found inside her car, officials said.
The rest of the suspects were all arrested on a variety of charges including conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, possession of stolen property, grand theft, outstanding warrants, resisting arrest, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, shoplifting, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and more.
“This two-day event was a collaboration between law enforcement, outlet retailers and the outlet’s security personnel,” deputies said.
The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force force is comprised of detectives from various agencies within Ventura County focused on combatting organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft and cargo theft.
“The task force aims to provide a safe environment for everyone while working hand in hand with retailers, law enforcement agencies and the public to identify, locate and arrest the criminals involved in these types of crimes,” authorities added.
Anyone with information on possible theft cases is encouraged to call the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force at 805-383-8703. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Retailers who are experiencing significant retail theft and are interested in participating in similar blitz operations can call 805-383-8703.
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