Crime

Former Santa Clara County Supervisor George Shirakawa was arraigned Monday on one felony count of false impersonation, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office. The indictment filed last week by the Santa County Criminal Grand Jury alleges that the false personation occurred on or about and between May 1, 2010 and June 8, 2010 Shirakawa falsely impersonated the campaign committee entitled "Neighbors for Magdalena Carrasco for Council 2010, FPPC 134822,” according to the press release. The indictment supersedes the previously filed criminal complaint which alleges the same criminal conduct, the release says.Shirakawa’s next court date is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, the release says. 

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) announced today that veteran firefighter Derek Witmer, 46, will take over as chief of the Morgan Hill Fire Department as well as the state agency’s Santa Clara Unit. Witmer, of Watsonville, was appointed to the position by CalFire Director Ken Pimlott, according to CalFire staff. Witmer will replace Steve Woodill, who retired earlier this year. Witmer has 28 years of fire service, starting at the Salispuedes Fire District in 1985, where he rose through the ranks to Captain, according to a CalFire press release. In 1997 Witmer joined CalFire when the Salispuedes and Freedom Fire District merged to form the Pajaro Valley Fire District, CalFire staff said. Witmer has since worked for two CalFire units - San Mateo/Santa Cruz and Santa Clara. At CalFire, he has served in a variety of assignments including Helitack, the emergency command center, training and, most recently, as the South Bay Operations Chief. In 2012, Witmer served on Incident Management Team 5 as Deputy Incident Commander, the press release says. “Chief Witmer’s wide ranging experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Santa Clara Unit,” Pimlott said. “Derek brings proven leadership, cooperation and innovative ideas to the position, and will serve the community well.” In addition to Witmer’s responsibilities as Unit Chief and MHFD Chief, he will also serve as fire chief for the South Santa Clara County Fire District. 

Members of the Gilroy Police Department's Anti-Crime Team unit captured an armed, convicted felon and fugitive Friday.  

Here's your weekly digest of criminal happenings in Gilroy, including a vehicle theft, child abuse, assault, sale and transportation of narcotics and an auto burglary.

Three drivers suffered injuries in a three-car collision at the intersection of Tennant Avenue and Butterfield Boulevard Thursday afternoon. Police and paramedics responded to the accident about 3:30 p.m., Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Ray Ramos said at the scene. A white Honda Civic was traveling westbound on Tennant Avenue when it rear-ended a Ford pickup that was stopped at a red light at Butterfield Boulevard, also facing westbound, police said. As a result of the impact, the Ford rear-ended a tan Toyota Corolla that was stopped at the same light in front of the pickup. The drivers of all three vehicles were transported to area hospitals with “moderate” injuries, Ramos said. None of the vehicles contained any passengers.Westbound Tennant Avenue remained closed as of about 4:30 p.m. between Juan Hernandez Drive and Butterfield Boulevard, while police and tow trucks cleared the scene. The cause of the accident remain under investigation, Ramos said. 

The Gilroy Police Department responded to a variety of crimes in the last week including loitering, battery and cruelty to a child with possible injuries. Arrests were recorded in the GPD blotter from Oct. 14 through Oct. 21.

A gas leak at a construction site in east Morgan Hill prompted brief evacuations from the area, but no injuries were reported, authorities said. CalFire responded to the gas leak on Murphy Avenue south of San Pedro Avenue about 11 a.m., according to CalFire Battalion Chief Jim Crawford. The gas leak was resulted from a ruptured gas line due to construction crews excavating in the roadway on Murphy Avenue, Crawford said. Fire authorities and PG&E responded to the scene and mitigated the gas leak a few minutes after it was reported, Crawford said. Nearby residences were evacuated, and students at the nearby Nordstrom Elementary School were sheltered in place as a precaution. “PG&E responded very quickly and took care of the issue right away,” Crawford said. 

Morgan Hill police arrested two burglary suspects who led officers from three agencies on a pursuit that ended in San Jose, authorities said. Police responded to a residence on Oakview Circle Tuesday on a report of a possible burglary, according to an MHPD press release. As officers arrived at the scene a gray Lexus was seen fleeing the area. Morgan Hill officers pursued the vehicle as it traveled west on Dunne Avenue and onto U.S. 101 northbound, police said. Due to the location and direction of the pursuit on the freeway, officers called the California Highway Patrol and San Jose police for assistance. The vehicle finally stopped in San Jose when it collided with another vehicle, police said. Both occupants of the Lexus ran from the accident scene on foot. Authorities set up a perimeter and the suspects were located and arrested. Officers found stolen property from the Morgan Hill residence inside the Lexus, police said.Police arrested Andre Clark, 23, and Dennis Windham, 20 - both of San Francisco - on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, evading police, reckless driving, obstruction of justice and probation violation, police said. They were booked at Santa Clara County Jail. Anyone with information about this crime can contact MHPD at (408) 779-2101 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867.

The Gilroy Bizzness Center opened its doors as an ‘Internet café’ Oct. 18 and was promptly shut down seven days later when the Gilroy Police Department raided the store for “illegal gambling.”

A 31-year-old Hollister man was arrested Tuesday for possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools and driving on a suspended license, according to a press release from the Gilroy Police Department.