Crime

The Gilroy Police Department responded to a variety of crimes last week, including human trafficking, lewd and lascivious acts with someone under 14, causing or permitting a child to suffer, and threats of violence. The arrests were recorded in the GPD blotter between Jan. 15 through 22. You can read more about the arrest of five suspects for felony human trafficking after police busted open what they call a “prostitution ring” by clicking here.

An investigation by the Gilroy Police Department last week revealed an alleged “prostitution ring” involving a 13-year-old Gilroy girl inside the Travel Inn at 5530 Monterey Road, according to GPD Sgt. Pedro Espinoza.

Authorities responded to a home on the 200 block of Martin Road Thursday afternoon, after a caller discovered a “suspicious white powder substance,” according to acting Fire Capt. Greg Lopez. The San Jose Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team determined at approximately 3 p.m. the substance was not hazardous.

The City of Gilroy and three developers, including the Filice family-owned Glen Loma Corporation comprised of longtime Gilroy residents, have settled a lawsuit filed by the company in 2012 involving a request to relief from more than $500,000 in “unjustified and excessive development fees,” according to court documents.

Recent regional news reports indicated that three teenage boys - one of whom now attends Christopher High School in Gilroy - pleaded guilty to felonies related to the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl who killed herself days after the incident.

The man charged with the Garlic Capital's third murder of 2013 - the Christmas Day homicide of a 21-year-old Gilroy woman who had a restraining order against her alleged attacker - is expected to submit a plea March 11 after his hearing was continued Tuesday afternoon.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office is warning that international scam artists are increasingly using dating websites to defraud victims with investment or loan swindles, according to a press release sent out today.

The Gilroy Police Department responded to a variety of crimes this week, including first-degree burglary, vandalism of more than $50,000 worth of property and battery against a peace officer. Arrests were recorded in this week's GPD blotter from Jan. 6 to Jan. 13.

San Leandro police have arrested the suspect in the robbery of Union Bank on New Year's Eve, according to a press release from the Gilroy Police Department.

A 36-year-old Sand City man was found dead Monday morning inside his vehicle which crashed on U.S. 101 at the Coyote Creek Bridge north of Morgan Hill, according to police. Some time between 10 p.m. Sunday and 5 a.m. Monday, the man, driving a 2004 Mercedes-Benz, was traveling south on the freeway when the vehicle swerved off the roadway for an unknown reason, according to a press release from the California Highway Patrol. The vehicle left the roadway just north of the Coyote Creek Bridge, which is just north of Burnett Avenue, police said. The vehicle left the freeway on the left side of the southbound lane and into the center median. The right front of the vehicle collided with the guardrail and a chain-link fence, and then became airborne. The Mercedes then collided with the shallow creek underneath the freeway over-crossing, and continued to roll over, police said. The driver, who has not yet been identified by the Santa Clara County Coroner’s office, was partially ejected, suffering fatal injuries. Police think the driver was not wearing a seat belt. No other vehicles were involved in the accident. A “call check” for a vehicle collision, reckless driving and possible intoxicated driver was broadcast to the CHP dispatch center around the time of the accident, but no accident was located at that time, police said. Pedestrians walking underneath the freeway overpass at 8:36 a.m. Monday saw the crashed Mercedes and called 911, police said. Police and paramedics arrived on scene, but the driver could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. Alcohol and drugs are being investigated as a possible factor in the collision, police said. An inspection of the Mercedes was performed at the accident scene, and no mechanical defects were found.