News 24/7

Banning police nab suspected serial bank robber

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:30:30 -0800

A Yucaipa man suspected in a series of bank robberies led police on a four-city chase Thursday before he was captured and arrested.

Fran Liggins, 46, was booked into jail on suspicion of robbery.

Police received a call of an armed robbery at the Chase Bank, 1118 W. Ramsey St. at 1:55 p.m. Officers said the suspect entered the business and demanded money from the tellers.

He fled with cash. A security guard pointed out the robber to a Banning police officer who came to the scene.

Liggins led the officer on a chase through Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa and Yucaipa.

Authorities caught him near his home in the 34700 block of Avenue E in Yucaipa, police said.

Police say Liggins is a suspect in two San Jacinto bank robberies late last year, two in Calimesa in January and one in Banning in February. Police are working with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department to determine if he is responsible for the additional heists.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Former Calimesa councilman surrenders, begins prison sentence

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:55:44 -0800

Former Calimesa Councilman Jon Winningham today surrendered in Riverside Superior Court to begin his two-year prison sentence for a parole violation regarding a child pornography conviction.

Winningham, 53, was sentenced April 10 but a judge allowed him an extra week to visit a doctor and get his affairs in order. His attorney has argued in court that Winningham is plagued with several health issues that make him ill-fitted to serve time behind bars. A judge denied his request to carry out his two-year sentence under home arrest.

Winningham pleaded guilty last week to using a computer to arrange a hotel meeting with a man, which violated a probation order not to use computers or get on the Internet.

In January 2007, the former councilman pleaded guilty to 13 counts of possession and intent to distribute child pornography.

stacia.glenn@inlandnewspapers.com

Deliberations resume in Oyler arson trial

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:23:19 -0800

Jurors in the trial of accused arsonist Raymond Lee Oyler resumed deliberations this morning, a day after telling a judge they were deadlocked on several charges.

Oyler is charged with lighting the 2006 Esperanza wildfire that killed five firefighters.

At 2:30 p.m. Thursday, jurors asked for clarification on some charges that Oyler is facing, said Riverside County District Attorney's Office spokesman John Hall.

Jurors said they were deadlocked on the charges, although the term isn't official unless a judge declares jurors deadlocked.

"The judge asked them to kind of step back, look at all the evidence and go back and continue deliberating, which they have done," Hall said.

Judge W. Charles Morgan did not ask what the charges were, Hall said.

The jury has been deliberating since Feb. 27.

Oyler has pleaded not guilty to five counts of first-degree murder, 23 counts of arson and 17 counts of using an incendiary device. He is accused of setting blazes during a five-month period in 2006, including the fatal fire that burned nearly 70 square miles.

- Staff and wire reporters

Former Calimesa councilman could face jail time again

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:50:33 -0800

A former Calimesa city councilman may have to serve two more years in prison for violating his probation.

During a hearing in Riverside Superior Court Friday, Judge James Warren said he was considering the two-year sentence for 53-year-old Jon Winningham, said Riverside County District Attorney spokesman John Hall.

The hearing was postponed until April 10, he said.

Winningham, who served 12 years on the council, was arrested Sept. 22 on suspicion of violating the terms of his probation by using the Internet to arrange a hotel meeting with a man.

A judge ruled in 2007 that Winningham could not use a computer after he pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of intent to distribute child pornography and three misdemeanor counts of possession of child pornography.

Sig Alert issued on I-10 in Calimesa for big rig crash

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 06:33:54 -0800

A tractor trailer stopped on the shoulder of the 10 Freeway in Calimesa was struck by a FedEx truck, causing minor injuries and prompting a Sig Alert.

The California Highway Patrol shut down one lane of the westbound 10 east of Cherry Valley Boulevard. The closure was expected to last until about 8 or 9 a.m.

A driver called the CHP at 4:09 a.m., saying he was working on his semi truck when a FedEx truck hit his semi. The impact scattered debris in lanes.

Officers shut down one lane and at 6 a.m., they anticipated the closure would last another two to three hours.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Man sought in Calimesa bank robbery

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:00:41 -0800

A man wearing a black mask and armed with a handgun robbed a Washington Mutual Bank in Calimesa on Monday, sheriff's officials said.

The man walked into the bank in the 1100 block of Calimesa Boulevard and pointed a gun at a bank teller. He demanded money, Riverside County sheriff's officials said.

After he received cash, he ran from the business. Deputies came to the scene at 3:35 p.m.

The robber is Latino, 30 to 40-years-old and 5-feet-9 inches tall. He wore a blue knit cap, a black mask and a green long-sleeve sweatshirt. He also wore blue jeans and tan leather gloves.

Anyone with information on the robber's whereabouts may call deputies at (951) 922-7100.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Suspects start high-speed chase in Calimesa

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:46:39 -0800

Two people were arrested after a 25-mile police chase through residential areas that hit speeds of 80 miles per hour from Calimesa to Yucaipa Wednesday.

At 7:43 p.m., Riverside sheriff's deputies tried to pull over a stolen vehicle at Myrtlewood Drive and Fifth Street in Calimesa, according to a Riverside sheriff's news release.
The driver would not stop, and the pursuit began.

Finally, the driver went into a mobile-home park in the 31000 block of Yucaipa Boulevard in Yucaipa. The driver then tried to drive into a San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy, according to the release.

Then two people got out of the car and started running.

Deputies were able to find the pair hiding in a storage shed in the mobile-home park.
Devon Richardson, a 26-year-old Calimesa resident, and 22-year-old Beaumont resident Ashley Gemmell were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, evading and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.

Anyone with information about the case should call Riverside sheriff's officials at (951) 922-7100.

Probation hearing today for former Calimesa Councilman

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:03:52 -0800

Former Calimesa Councilman Jon Winningham will be back in court this afternoon so a judge can decide whether he violated probation by using a computer to arrange a hotel meeting with a man.

The 1:30 p.m. hearing is scheduled for Riverside Superior Court. Winningham faces prison time if convicted.

Winningham, 52, was on probation after being convicted of intent to distribute child pornography and possession of child pornography in January 2007. A judge back then ruled that Winningham could keep a computer in his home for the use of his wife and two children, but ordered the former councilman not to use it.

Winningham was arrested in October at a Banning motel after chatting online and arranging a meeting with a decoy from the Riverside County Sexual Assault and Felony Enforcement Team.

stacia.glenn@inlandnewspapers.com

Surveillance photograph released of bank robber in Calimesa

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:10:41 -0800

An armed robber held up a Washington Mutual Bank in Calimesa on Tuesday, sheriff's officials said.

The robber walked into the bank in the 1100 block of Calimesa Boulevard at 3:36 p.m., pointed a gun at a teller and demanded money, Riverside County sheriff's deputies said.

He ran from the bank after taking an undisclosed amount of cash.

Deputies said the robber is Latino, 25 to 30-years-old and about 5-feet-7 inches tall. He wore a blue knit cap, a green long-sleeve sweatshirt, blue jeans and tan leather gloves.

Anyone with information may call the sheriff's Calimesa station, (951) 922-7100.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Washington Mutual in Calimesa targeted in armed robbery

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:48:58 -0800

An armed robber held up a Washington Mutual Bank in Calimesa on Tuesday, sheriff's officials said.

The robber walked into the bank in the 1100 block of Calimesa Boulevard at 3:36 p.m., pointed a gun at a teller and demanded money, Riverside County sheriff's deputies said.

He ran from the bank after taking an undisclosed amount of cash.

Deputies said the robber is Latino, 25 to 30-years-old and about 5-feet-7 inches tall. He wore a blue knit cap, a green long-sleeve sweatshirt, blue jeans and tan leather gloves.

Anyone with information may call the sheriff's Calimesa station, (951) 922-7100.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Santa visits kids at Calimesa senior center

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:14:22 -0800

Santa and 15 of his elves brought an early Christmas to about 200 Calimesa and Yucaipa children Saturday at the Calimesa Norton Younglove Senior Center.

Toddlers through elementary-age children were treated to a movie, story time, goodie bags, raffles for snow bears, pizza and punch, and of course the biggest thrill of all: sitting on Santa's lap.

Some children shyly asked for their most desired presents, while others implored him to fulfill their wishes.

Hearing for former Calimesa councilman continued

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:54:06 -0800

A hearing for former Calimesa councilman Jon Winningham was continued this afternoon.

A Riverside Superior Court judge was expected to rule on whether Winningham, 52, violated his probation last month when he arranged a hotel meeting with a man via the Internet.

When convicted in January 2007 on 10 felony counts of intent to distribute child pornography and three misdemeanor counts of possession of child pornogrpahy, Winningham was ordered not to use a computer for any reason not work-related.

The hearing was continued until Dec. 4 so the former councilman's high-powered attorney, Virginia Bloomenthal, has time to review the case.

If convicted of the new charge, Winningham could face prison time.

stacia.glenn@inlandnewspapers.com

Former Calimesa councilman in court today

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:50:32 -0800

A Riverside Superior Court judge will decide this afternoon whether a former Calimesa councilman who served jail time for child pornography charges violated his probation when he used the Internet to arrange a hotel meeting with a man.

Jon Winningham, 52, was arrested last month when investigators caught him at a Banning hotel after using the Internet to arrange the meeting with a decoy - a violation of his five-year probation.

If convincted of the parole violation, he could be sentenced to prison.

Winningham was sentenced to 360 in Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside for the child pornography charges.

stacia.glenn@inlandnewspapers.com

Former Calimesa councilman convicted of child porn charges re-arrested

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:08:55 -0800

A former Calimesa councilman who admitted an addiction to child pornography in January 2007 was re-arrested for violating his probation after meeting a law enforcement decoy in a Banning motel room, authorities said.

Jon Winningham, 52, is set to appear in Riverside Superior Court on Oct. 15 for a hearing. If convicted of the new charge, he could face state prison time.

Winningham was arrested in late September for violation of probation, according to Riverside County sheriff's officials.

He was picked up Sept. 22 in a Banning motel room after showing up to meet a decoy with the Riverside County Sexual Assault and Felony Enforcement Team, which is comprised of probation, police, sheriff and district attorney officials.

Calimesa candidates forum informative and contentious

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:10:20 -0800

Three of the four candidates vying for seats on the Calimesa City Council sat before an attentive audience in a full multi-purpose room at the Norton Younglove Senior Center Monday night for a candidates' forum.

And at times the forum got a bit contentious between the candidates as Mayor John Chlebnik, Joyce McIntire, and Ella Zanowic, took a few verbal swipes at one another's positions and past actions on some issues.