Crime

At least two courtrooms full of spectators—including the family of Sierra LaMar and dozens of volunteers who have been searching for her for the last five years—let out an audible gasp of relief May 9 when they heard the jury found Antolin Garcia Torres guilty of the Morgan Hill teen’s murder.

With more than 7,500 personnel hours devoted to the nearly month-long search for missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar, authorities are saying they haven’t started thinking about how much the investigation might cost in terms of tax dollars.

Jonathan Hernandez, 19, of the 100 block of Hennessey Way, 1:08

May 8 • A vehicle was reported stolen on the 300 block of IOOF Avenue. • Theft was reported on the 5300 block of Monterey Frontage Road. • A home was reportedly vandalized on the 9000 block of Kern Avenue. • A stolen vehicle was recovered on the...

While Gilroy residents celebrated the holiday weekend popping Champagne and toasting to their New Year's resolutions, local law enforcement officers chased down suspects and responded to a bevy of crimes they hope will be aberrations as 2012 rolls forward.

The Gilroy Police Department's Traffic Unit will conduct a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint from 9 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

For the first six months of 2012, motorists can receive up to 50-percent off their traffic ticket fines.

A five-unit townhome in north Morgan Hill was destroyed by a