Crime

VandalismSomeone, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m Nov. 26 on the 14000 block of Sycamore Drive in Morgan Hill, damaged a mailbox, causing approximately $300 in damages.Stolen vehicleSomeone, between 3 p.m and 3:48 p.m. Dec. 2 on the 12000 block of Stevens Court in San Martin, stole a vehicle from the backyard of a residence.BurglarySomeone, between 10 a.m. Dec. 2 and 6:23 a.m. Dec. 3 on the 5900 block of Monterey Frontage Road in Gilroy, broke a window, removed a window screen and vandalized and ransacked the office building. Unknown suspects stole gasoline from the maintenance yard and caused $1,200 worth of damage.Petty theftSomeone, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 3 on the 5000 block of Santa Teresa Boulevard in Gilroy, stole a laptop and $15 from a locker.Mail theftSomeone, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 5 on the 900 block of Burnett Avenue in Morgan Hill, stole mail from a mailbox at a residence.Auto burglarySomeone, between 7 p.m Nov. 20 and 5 p.m. Dec. 6 on the 6100 block of Pacheco Pass Highway in Gilroy, pried open the windows of a vehicle and stole a car stereo, battery and pink slip.Residential burglarySomeone, between 6 a.m. Dec. 5 and 6:50 a.m. Dec. 7 on the 1400 block of San Martin Avenue in San Martin, entered a residence through an open window and ransacked the residence.Grand theftSomeone, between 2 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10:09 a.m. Dec. 8 on Pacheco Pass Highway in Gilroy, cut a chain to the front fence and stole fencing panels for the horse corral, which was estimated at $2,875 in value.ShopliftingTwo male suspects, between 5:10 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. on the 10000 block of Pacheco Pass Highway in Gilroy, entered a fruit stand and stole approximately $157 worth of merchandise.DrugsA 22-year-old male, at 9:23 p.m. Dec. 8 on Monterey Highway at Ninth Street in Gilroy, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and paraphernalia.—All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

The winter holidays are a time of festivity, cheer and, for many partygoers, alcohol consumption. That’s why police are warning Santa Clara County residents that if you’re celebrating with alcohol this holiday season, they’ll be keeping an eye out for you on the roads.The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office warns motorists to “Drive sober or get pulled over.” From Dec. 12 to Jan. 1, law enforcement agencies throughout the county plan to increase their impaired driving enforcement due to the increase in drunk-driving accidents and fatalities at this time of year, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.Increased efforts, organized by the Avoid the 13 Task Force, include DUI/drivers license checkpoints, 38 “roving saturation patrols” and a DUI warrant and probation sweep, authorities said.These efforts include the following in Morgan Hill in Gilroy:—Dec. 12 saturation patrols by Gilroy police;—Dec. 13 saturation patrol by Gilroy police and Sheriff’s office;—Dec. 19 saturation patrols by Morgan Hill and Gilroy police;—Dec. 20 saturation patrols by sheriff and Gilroy police;—Dec. 26 saturation patrols by Gilroy police;—Dec. 27 DUI/drivers license checkpoint by sheriff;—Dec. 31 saturation patrols by Gilroy police.The facts are grim, according to the sheriff. On average, nearly one-third (31 percent) of all crash fatalities in America involve drunk driving. In December 2012, 830 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving at least one driver with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of .08.On Christmas day 2012, the number of accidents involving at least one drunken driver jumps to 36 percent, the press release continued. Twenty-six people died in DUI-related accidents that day. For the entire year, more than 10,000 people died nationwide in DUI accidents in 2012, with 802 of those in California alone.As part of the national “Drive sober or get pulled over campaign,” law enforcement will increase their number of patrols and enforcement operations, and use local and social media to reach all drivers, the sheriff’s press release said.Authorities recommend finding ways other than driving to get home safely if you have been drinking. These include designating a sober driver ahead of time, calling a friend or family member, using public transportation or calling a taxi.If you see a vehicle on the roads that appears to be driven by an impaired motorist, call 911, authorities suggest.Avoid the 13 Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Office of Traffic Safety offers a free mobile app – DDVIP – aimed at thanking the sober designated driver with perks and free offers at area bars and restaurants.

A Morgan Hill man accused of neglecting dozens of horses he owned on two South County properties pleaded no contest to felony animal cruelty at the South County Courthouse Dec. 9.Humberto Rivas Uribe, 51, will be sentenced Jan. 5 at the same courthouse. He remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.Tuesday’s hearing occurred as a group of horse advocates picketed the front of the Morgan Hill courthouse, holding signs demanding accountability not only for Uribe but also for county officials they claim allowed his horses to reach such an unhealthy, malnourished state.Superior Court Judge Alfonso Fernandez said a plea of no contest is the same as pleading guilty.The plea was part of a deal with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.Deputy DA Alexandra Ellis said Uribe agreed to serve 90 days in County Jail, plus five years of formal probation. He also agreed he will no longer own, possess, have care or custody of any animals for a minimum of 10 years, and will attend counseling. During that time, Uribe and his residence and possessions will be subject to police search and seizure.The precise terms of the settlement will be determined at the Jan. 5 sentencing hearing.Uribe was charged with two counts of animal cruelty by the DA’s Office Nov. 14, according to authorities. His horses were seized by the county’s Animal Care and Control office Nov. 13. A total of 38 horses were seized and authorities have been seeking healthy homes for the animals, some of which have been placed with equine rescue centers in the South Bay Area.One of the properties Uribe tended was on Maple Avenue in Morgan Hill, and the other was on Center Avenue in Gilroy, authorities said.When the animals were seized, they were found in various states of poor health, and most were emaciated and neglected, according to authorities.The DA’s investigation began in September, following numerous complaints from South County residents and a series of news reports about the horses’ poor health.Earlier this year, a concerned neighbor bought three of Uribe’s horses, while the Equine Rescue Center and Sanctuary in Paicines (San Benito County) purchased a dozen more, according to authorities. One of the horses purchased by ERC, a bay colt, died in September from complications due to intestinal parasites, prosecutors and horse advocates said. The colt died the day after Uribe sold it.Uribe continued to acquire even more horses, according to the DA’s office.In late September, Uribe told the Times he acquired the horses from another rancher he has worked with for several years. He said the animals came to him in poor health and he was trying to nurse them before selling them to a rodeo.The DA’s complaint against Uribe said his crimes happened from March through September 2014, but horse advocates picketing the courthouse and attending the hearing Dec. 9 said the neglect of the horses has been going on for at least two years.Morgan Hill resident Trina Hinesar, a neighbor of Uribe’s on Maple Avenue, said she and other residents have called authorities many times in the last two years to report the animals’ poor health.“I’m here just to keep the awareness up and to ask the DA why they’re not addressing Animal Control,” Hinesar said outside the courthouse Dec. 9. She and others accused the Animal Control office of failing to act on the horses’ mistreatment.“There was no need for this to go on as long as it has,” Hinesar added.About 15 protesters gathered outside the courthouse before and after the Dec. 9 hearing. Some went inside to attend the hearing while others waited outside with about the same number of handmade signs supporting the sick horses.The horse advocates were frustrated and saddened by the outcome of Uribe’s hearing, insisting he should receive a heavier sentence than that proposed by prosecutors. One of the protesters cried upon hearing the result of the hearing.“We’re unhappy with the 90-day sentence,” said Kim Baker. “And what about the $11,000 he received for (some of) the horses?”She referred to the amount given to Uribe by the ERC for the 12 horses in September. Uribe should be required to pay restitution for that amount, the protesters said.“He got off way too easy,” Baker said.The protesters further argued that the owner of the properties that Uribe leased and tended should also be held accountable.“There are things like a sieve that just went through,” said Sandy Petersen, a Gilroy resident and member of the county’s Animal Advisory Commission.That commission advises county officials on policies and procedures on how to rescue, treat and take care of animals that fall under authorities’ care in unincorporated county areas.Prosecutors with the DA’s office met with the concerned residents several times during the investigation into Uribe’s horse ownership, according to authorities. They also interviewed Uribe and other witnesses, and collected evidence.At least two Facebook groups—Morgan Hill Horses in Need and CENTER Horse Advocates—were set up this summer to document the condition of Uribe’s horses and bring awareness to the situation. Both groups remain active.“We’re here to make sure (Uribe) gets what’s coming for him for all the horses he’s abused a number of years,” Leslie Daniel, a Maple Avenue resident, said outside the courthouse.

The Gilroy Police Department made arrests for a variety of crimes the past week, including burglary, vehicle theft, possession of a stun gun and the sale of stolen property. Arrests were recorded in the GPD blotter between Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. All suspects remain innocent until proven guilty, and an appearance in the arrest log does not signify guilt for the listed crime/s.

Caltrain will be hosting an emergency preparedness drill on the tracks of the train station in Gilroy on Dec. 6 from 7:30 a.m. until noon, according to a press release from Caltrain.   

The Gilroy Police Department will be cracking down on drunk drivers this holiday season as a way to combat a nationwide increase in alcohol-related fatalities on the roadways. Locally, the GPD will have a DUI/drivers license checkpoint somewhere within city limits on Dec. 12 and six additional DUI patrols will be roving the Garlic Capital.

Following a recent revelation in court that Paradise Valley Elementary School teacher John Loyd is now suspected of sexually assaulting four children, Morgan Hill police are seeking anyone who might have had inappropriate contact with the suspect over the years. The Morgan Hill Police Department...

The Gilroy Police Department made arrests for a variety of crimes this past week, including rape by force or violence, grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence. All arrests were recorded in the GPD blotter between Nov. 23 and 30. All suspects remain innocent until proven guilty, and an appearance in the arrest log does not signify guilt for the listed crime/s.

Federal officials are continuing to investigate the cause of a small plane crash near Gilroy earlier this month that claimed the life of both occupants—including a 69-year-old Gilroy man and his 18-year-old granddaughter.

The father of a teenage girl who was beaten during a road rage incident in Gilroy is hoping a man who helped stop the attack will come forward to be recognized as a Good Samaritan.