SF News

The Bay Area is expected to be mostly cloudy today, with patches of fog and drizzle in the morning. Highs near 60 degrees and west winds 10 to 20 mph are anticipated.

This evening is expected to be partly cloudy before becoming mostly cloudy tonight. Patchy fog and light rain are expected after midnight. 

West winds 15 to 20 mph and lows in lower 50s are also expected.

Monday is likely to be mostly cloudy in the morning before becoming sunny. Forecasters predict highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s, with west winds 10 to 15 mph.

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A 9-year-old boy who was injured during a hit-and-run in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood Thursday remains in critical condition today, according to a San Francisco General Hospital spokeswoman. 

Ryan White's condition is improving. No further details were released today.

Hayward resident Andrew Vargas, 21, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence in connection with the incident, police Lt. Troy Dangerfield said.

Ryan was walking ahead of a family member while crossing Mission Street around 10:30 p.m. when he was struck by a white pickup truck turning left onto Mission Street. The truck had been driving north on New Montgomery Street, which is a one-way southbound street, police said.

Vargas allegedly didn't stop after hitting Ryan, and continued west on Mission Street before hitting numerous other cars. He then drove onto a nearby highway, police said.

Vargas was stopped in Hayward around 11:30 p.m. after his pickup was spotted by local police.

Witnesses identified him and his truck as those involved in the hit-and-run, and a preliminary screening indicated his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit, Dangerfield said.

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15-Year-Old-Boy Scares Away Robbers With BB Gun

A 15-year-old boy was playing with a BB gun at his friend's apartment in Mountain View earlier this week when, as soon as his friend's father arrived home, a robber grabbed the man in a chokehold and pointed a gun at the boy's friend.

In response, the boy, who was sitting on the couch and playing with a BB gun, held up the gun at the suspect and his accomplices, police spokeswoman Liz Wylie said.

The boy's action caused all three suspects to scurry off. Nothing was taken from the apartment complex and no one was harmed, Wylie said.

The incident at the apartment complex in the 200 block of Ortega Avenue unfolded around 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Wylie said.

The boy and his friend, also 15, were sitting in the apartment's living room. The boy was playing with a BB gun and his friend was sitting at a desk using the computer when the friend's 43-year-old father opened the front door.

Wylie said just as he was opening the door, the man heard footsteps behind him. As he stepped inside the living room, a man grabbed him from behind in a chokehold and pointed a gun to his head, she said. 

The father grabbed the gun and tried to yank it out of the suspect's hand. Meanwhile, the victim's son sprang into action and went to help his father, but the suspect regained control of the gun and pointed it at the son who was standing two feet away, Wylie said.

At the same time, two additional suspects came up behind the father and started searching his pockets.

That is when the 15-year-old boy grabbed the BB gun, drew the slide back and released it, which Wylie said, "makes a sound as if he put a round in the chamber."

He pointed the BB gun at the suspects, causing them to flee. They remain at-large, Wylie said.

The suspects were described as males in their late teens, of average height, wearing black clothing from head to toe. The gunman was described as being skinny.

Anyone with information about the attempted robbery is asked to call the Police Department at (650) 903-6344.

Amber Alert For 4-Year-Old  Boy Canceled

An Amber Alert that was issued Friday in San Luis Obispo County for a 4-year-old who is thought to have been abducted by a woman in the homeless shelter where he was staying has been canceled.

Jeremy Guthrie was staying at the Echo Shelter in the city of Atascadero with his mother Thursday night when his mother had a fight with another resident at the shelter.

The other resident is believed to have abducted Jeremy around 4:30 a.m. Friday and fled the shelter, according to authorities.

The suspect, Annette Hale, was taken into custody Friday afternoon, and Jeremy was returned to his mother's care, according to an Atascadero police and fire dispatcher.

Person Found Dead In Burning Vehicle Identified

The identification of the person who was found dead in a burning vehicle near Tomales Thursday evening is pending an examination of dental records and DNA, Sgt. Keith Boyd, Marin County's Assistant Chief Deputy Coroner, said Friday afternoon.

The Marin County Fire Department found a vehicle engulfed in flames in the parking lot of the Miller Park boat ramp near Nick's Cove, fire Chief Ken Massucco said.

Firefighters found the body while extinguishing the fire, Massucco said.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office responded to the death on Shoreline Highway south of Tomales at 6 p.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (415) 499-7233.

13 Inmates Performed Shakesspeare Musical

Laughter filled an auditorium in San Quentin State Prison Friday afternoon as 13 inmates performed a musical version of Shakespeare's comedy "Twelfth Night" for a crowded room of staff, guests and fellow prisoners.

First-time actor Perry "Spike" Simpson said he had butterflies in his stomach but was hiding it well. On the outside, "I'm like Denzel," he said. "But inside I'm going crazy."

Marin Shakespeare Company director Suraya Keating called the cast together for a pre-show pep talk and did her best to ease the actors' nerves.

The cast used a script adapted by Robert Currier, the company's managing director, and Lesley Currier, the managing director and performer in Friday's show.

The Curriers' version keeps the original language but has been modernized to take place in the 1960s. The performance was liberally interspersed with song-and-dance numbers with music from classic bands including Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones.

From the first lip-synched number -- when a group of men burst into a choreographed dance to Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops" -- the crowd was hooked and audience members cheered and called out encouragement. 

Keating, Lesley Currier, and several interns worked with the inmates once a week for two hours a day over the past 10 months to bring Shakespeare to life.

The theater company began the program at San Quentin eight years ago and the cast Friday was a mix of first-timers and veterans.

Joey Barnes said he was excited for his first stage appearance and his family was as well, even though they could not be at Friday's performance. Barnes said he told his mother to watch for clips of him on the news. "And my daughter -- she's all jazzed," he said.

Mike Anthony is a seasoned veteran of the program but said this character was by far the most difficult. Anthony donned a dress and wig Friday afternoon to play the beautiful Countess Olivia. "The hardest part was acting like a girl," he said.

A Salinas man in prison for a 1987 murder was denied his request for parole this week, according to Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo.

Norman Price Baird Jr., 52, was denied parole on Wednesday and will not be eligible again for another 10 years, Flippo said Thursday.

This was Baird's first bid for parole following his conviction in 2004 for the March 8, 1987, murder of Raymond Demel.
    Demel, a 49-year-old retired correctional officer and Seaside resident, had been driving home with his wife on Blanco Road near the Salinas River Bridge when he pulled over to the side of the road to take a nap.

When his wife had trouble waking him, she flagged down a passing motorist for help. While she was speaking to the motorist, who has since been identified as Baird, Demel's van rolled forward a short distance and tapped the back of Baird's pickup truck.

Baird then pulled out a .45-caliber handgun and fired through the driver's side window into the victim's chest, before fleeing the scene.

Demel's wife remained the primary suspect in the murder for years, because there was no corroborating evidence to support her story.

However, in 2002, a Monterey County Sheriff's detective got a tip from a friend of Baird's, who said Baird had asked him to bury the weapon and ammunition in a field near Old Stage Road. A search of the field unearthed the weapon and ammunition, and detectives were able to link the gun to both Baird and the shooting.

Baird entered a no-contest plea to a charge of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life on April 28, 2004.

30-Year-Old Salinas Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Stabbing Stepson

A 30-year-old Salinas man was sentenced to life in prison for stabbing his 13-year-old stepson and leaving the boy to die in an agricultural field in unincorporated Monterey County last year.

Severino Perez told investigators he had suspected his live-in girlfriend of cheating.

In an attempt to exact his revenge on her, on the night of Oct. 16, Perez invited his stepson, who was 12 at the time, to go out for tacos with the intention of killing him, prosecutors said.

Perez and his 26-year-old brother, Domingo, took the boy to a remote area of Monterey County, where he stabbed his stepson with a knife 20 times in his upper body, and then took off, leaving the boy on Chualar Canyon Road.

Later that night, California Highway Patrol officers found Domingo Perez walking along U.S. Highway 101 at about the same time that Severino Perez called Salinas police and reported that his stepson had been kidnapped from his home in Salinas.

Severino Perez had wrecked his truck in a ditch at Old Stage Road and Chualar Canyon Road, about one-quarter of a mile from the field where they left the boy.

Police determined the kidnapping claim was a false report after a farmer found the boy on Chualar Canyon Road around 4 a.m., six hours after he was left there.

Deputies responded and found the boy in a weak condition. They described him as being in severe pain and dehydrated and said his internal organs were visible due to the large amount of stab wounds on his body. 

The boy told deputies he used his shoe as a pillow and covered up with his shirt throughout the night as he waited for help to arrive. 

The boy was airlifted to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where he underwent multiple surgeries until his release on Nov. 11.

On Thursday, Monterey County Superior Court Judge Mark Hood sentenced Severino Perez to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Domingo Perez was sentenced to six years in jail for failing to intervene in the stabbing or alerting authorities to the boy's whereabouts.

Escaped Fremont Inmate Recaptured

An inmate who escaped from a holding area at the Fremont courthouse on Thursday was safely recaptured about three hours later, but embarrassed Alameda County Sheriff's officials are trying to figure out how he got away.

Sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson said a preliminary investigation indicates "there was at least a portion of human error" involved in the escape of Mohit Basandrai, 21, and steps are being taken to avoid additional escapes in the future.

Nelson said sheriff's officials are trying to determine if there were any additional factors involved in Basandrai's escape.

Basandrai escaped at about 11:15 a.m. Thursday when was being detained in a holding area of the Fremont Hall of Justice, where he was to have a hearing on charges of possession of a stolen car and joy-riding after being arrested in Union City on July 26.

He was being held in an area away from other inmates and somehow got away, Nelson said.

Deputies noticed the absence of Basandrai, who was in a jail uniform, after only a few minutes and an alarm was sounded, Nelson said.

Deputies could not find him near the courthouse but found him at walking in the 27000 block of Sleepy Hollow Avenue South in Hayward, near his residence, at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday and took him into custody without incident, Nelson said.

Basandrai, who was still wearing jail-issued socks but had shed most of the rest of his jail clothes, stood out because he was wearing shorts even though it was cold and drizzly, Nelson said.

He now faces escape charges, in addition to the charges he already faced, and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Fremont Hall of Justice on Monday morning.

Basandrai is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin without bail.

Mohammed Nuru Appointed As Acting Director For San Francisco Department Of Public Works

Mohammed Nuru has been appointed as acting director for the San Francisco Department of Public Works, city officials announced Friday.

Nuru has served more than 11 years as deputy director for the department, and has worked closely with city communities, agencies, businesses and non-profit groups, according to Acting City Administrator Amy Brown.

His experience ranges from improving the cleanliness of city streets and sidewalks to successfully managing construction projects.

"Even in an era of shrinking budgets, Mohammed has maximized DPW operations dollars to keep city streets clean and green," Brown said.

The appointment was hailed by neighborhood groups, who said Nuru had worked closely with them in their efforts to clean up and beautify the city.

"Mohammed has been a champion as far as getting what we need, month in and month out," said Dawn Trennert of the Middle Polk Neighborhood Association, which conducts monthly neighborhood cleanups, among other events. "I call this a great day for the neighborhood."

Marc Christensen, president of the Merced Extension Triangle Neighborhood Association, said that in Nuru's early days with the department, he and former department director Ed Lee came out for neighborhood cleanup days and donned work gloves alongside residents. Christensen said he was pleased by the appointment.

"Through Mohammed's commitment not only to our neighborhood but to neighborhoods throughout San Francisco over the past decade, the department of public works as well as other city agencies have enhanced the quality of life as well as safety issues for those who live, work and visit in San Francisco," Christensen said.

Nuru's appointment fills the vacancy left by the appointment of former Public Works Director Ed Reiskin as executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

Reiskin is expected to take on his new role Aug. 15, replacing Debra Johnson, who took over as interim chief on July 1 after Nathaniel Ford stepped down.

Lefty O'Doul's Celebrates Christmas In August In Honor Of Santa Who Passed Away

A bar in San Francisco celebrated Christmas in August Friday night to remember the life of "Santa" John, who passed away last week.

"Santa" John Toomey, 69, was the long-time Santa at the Union Square Macy's until he was let go last December for telling dirty jokes to adult patrons -- an event which launched him into the national spotlight when he appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Lefty O'Doul's hired Toomey shortly after he was let go and Toomey's presence at the restaurant's annual San Francisco Firefighter's Toy Program on Christmas Eve helped to raise the amount of donations from 9,000 toys in 2009 to 15,000 last year, his former press agent Lee Houskeeper said.

Patrons Friday night were greeted by a brass band playing carols, while the back room of the restaurant was decked out with holiday trimmings -- complete with a Christmas tree, lights, pictures of Toomey in a Santa costume, and presents beneath the tree. The presents will be donated to the toy program in Toomey's honor.

Toomey's friends and colleagues took turns remembering the beloved Kris Kringle at the traditional Irish wake. They sang traditional Irish songs while partaking of the complimentary beer, whiskey and corned beef.

"He was always there for the kids," Karl Vostrez, Toomey's former manager at Macy's said. "He was always there for us." 

A fellow Santa who worked with Toomey remembered his professionalism and passion for his work. "I've done Santa for 19 years, but I felt like a rookie after I met him," retired Cal Fire Capt. Emmet Monahan Said. He told the mourners how Toomey had passed along some valuable Santa tips -- like the best way to "ho ho ho" and how to whiten a beard. 

Toomey was found dead in his residential hotel room on July 29. The cause of death has not been determined.

Bay Area Weather

The Bay Area is forecast to be mostly cloudy with patchy fog and patchy drizzle this morning, with highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s.

It is expected to be mostly cloudy this evening, with patchy fog and drizzle expected after midnight. Lows are expected to be in the lower 50s.

Sunday is expected to be mostly cloudy with patchy fog and drizzle in the morning, with highs near 60.

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Police are cracking down on pedestrian safety violations in the South of Market area in the coming week.

Members of the Southern Station Community Police Advisory Board will hand out fliers and work to raise pedestrian awareness at Fifth and Market streets today from 9 a.m. to noon.

Following the educational campaign, police will conduct enforcement operations at that intersection starting Monday, using officers on cars, on motorcycles and on foot.

"In a city named most walkable in the country, it is unacceptable that our Southern District has the highest incidents of traffic-related injuries and fatalities," said Capt. Charlie Orkes, commanding officer of the Southern District Police Station. "If our joint effort between SFPD and residents saves just one life of those walking, riding or driving, it will be a success."

The safety campaign will be expanded to other southern parts of the city in future weeks.

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Mohammed Nuru has been appointed as acting director for the San Francisco Department of Public Works, city officials announced today.

Nuru has served more than 11 years as deputy director for the department, and has worked closely with city communities, agencies, businesses and non-profit groups, according to Acting City Administrator Amy Brown.

His experience ranges from improving the cleanliness of city streets and sidewalks to successfully managing construction projects.

"Even in an era of shrinking budgets, Mohammed has maximized DPW operations dollars to keep city streets clean and green," Brown said. 

The appointment was hailed by neighborhood groups, who said Nuru had worked closely with them in their efforts to clean up and beautify the city.

"Mohammed has been a champion as far as getting what we need, month in and month out," said Dawn Trennert of the Middle Polk Neighborhood Association, which conducts monthly neighborhood cleanups, among other events. "I call this a great day for the neighborhood."

Marc Christensen, president of the Merced Extension Triangle Neighborhood Association, said that in Nuru's early days with the department, he and former department director Ed Lee came out for neighborhood cleanup days and donned work gloves alongside residents. Christensen said he was pleased by the appointment.

"Through Mohammed's commitment not only to our neighborhood but to neighborhoods throughout San Francisco over the past decade, the department of public works as well as other city agencies have enhanced the quality of life as well as safety issues for those who live, work and visit in San Francisco," Christensen said.

Nuru's appointment fills the vacancy left by the appointment of former Public Works Director Ed Reiskin as executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

Reiskin is expected to take on his new role Aug. 15, replacing Debra Johnson, who took over as interim chief on July 1 after Nathaniel Ford stepped down.

Nuru said he was "humbled" by the appointment, and described the department as "part of my extended family for the past 11 years."

He said, "The services we provide every day affect the quality of life for people that work, live and visit this city and I am committed to ensuring a seamless transition, while continuing to build upon the momentum of maintaining a world-class organization."

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A Hayward man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood on Thursday night that left a 9-year-old boy with life-threatening injuries, police said today.

Andrew Vargas, 21, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence, San Francisco police Lt. Troy Dangerfield said.

The 9-year-old boy was walking ahead of a family member while crossing Mission Street around 10:30 p.m. Thursday when he was struck by a white pickup truck turning left on to Mission Street. The truck had been driving north on New Montgomery Street, which is a one-way southbound street, police said.

The truck did not stop after hitting the boy, and continued west on Mission Street before colliding with numerous other parked and moving cars. The suspect then drove onto a nearby highway, police said.

Vargas was stopped in Hayward around 11:30 p.m. after his white Toyota pickup truck was spotted by local police.

Witnesses brought to the scene by San Francisco police identified him and his truck as those involved in the hit-and-run, and a preliminary screening indicated that his blood alcohol level was over the legal limit, Dangerfield said.

Vargas has been turned over to San Francisco police, and his truck is being impounded as evidence.

The 9-year-old boy remains hospitalized today. 

A 58-year-old woman from Granite Bay also suffered a foot injury in the crash but the injury is not considered life-threatening, police said.

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East Palo Alto Community Members Speak Out At Open Community Forum

Community members voiced their frustration in an open community forum held by East Palo Alto Mayor Carlos Romero and Police Chief Ron Davis.

Romero and Davis explained the timeline of recent events and programs the city has instituted and will institute to combat violence in East Palo Alto.

The meeting was held in the wake of the recent homicides in city, where five people have been murdered since the beginning of June. Only four people in East Palo Alto were murdered in 2010.

"The only way we can deal with violence in our community is to be engaged," Romero said. "We are not going to solve it with just police."

Residents responded through the recent period of violence by using the anonymous tip line created by East Palo Alto police, Davis said. Arrests and people of interest have been identified in all five cases through these tips.

Two of the people of interest are Fidel Silva Jr., 24, and Jaime Cardenas, 20, who are wanted for questioning about the murders of Hugo Chavez, Kevin Guzman, Catherine Fisher and an additional murder warrant in Grand Junction, Colo.

Silva and Cardenas, who are believed to be associated with a gang, are said to be moving to and from East Palo Alto and that the violence may not be over.

To prevent further gang actions, "Operation Ceasefire" will focus on those gang members on probation and parole to go along with "call-ins," which are designed to give gang members alternatives to gang life. 

While some citizens are in support of Romero and Davis, others do not believe the community is being empowered to help. 

Davis welcomed solutions but became defensive when crowd members questioned his commitment to the community. "I'm out there at two in the morning saving lives," Davis said. "It's easy to stand up there and ambush. What solutions do we have as a community?"

Anti-Prostitution Proposals Explored For Oakland

Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts Thursday night told members of the San Antonio neighborhood that he expected at least one of two anti-prostitution proposals being explored for the area to become a reality soon.

Dozens of members of the community along International Boulevard, often called the "Track" because of the prevalence of the sex trade there, marched between 17th and 23rd avenues in a show of unity against the prostitution.

Before the rally, Batts said his department was looking into posting mug shots of men arrested on suspicion of prostitution on the Oakland police website, or using Department of Motor Vehicle records to send "Dear John" warning letters to owners of vehicles spotted loitering along the strip.

"We're working through issues with the city attorney and looking into whether we can use DMV records that way," he told the crowd as it gathered on 17th Avenue.

He said he was confident at least one of the ideas would pan out. 

The rally, called "Safe Streets, Safe Kids," marked the third time since March that the residents have gathered to oppose prostitution and pimping, particularly of minors.

A spokeswoman for the nonprofit Oakland Community Organizations, which organized the rally with the East Bay Asian Youth Center, said she lives in the neighborhood and struggles to raise two children in such a toxic environment.

"I was born and raised here, and before it wasn't this bad," Mili Bolanos said. "It's really hard now."

She said the sex trade seems to have gotten worse as the economy has weakened, but that the Police Department has done a good job responding to the community's request for more surveillance of the area.

As for the community's decision to come together, "It's marvelous," Batts said. "It's exactly what I want."

U.S. Senate And House Leaders Reach Agreement Thursday To Fully Fund Federal Aviation Administration

U.S. Senate and House leaders reached an agreement Thursday to fully fund the Federal Aviation Administration, which ends a 12-day standoff that furloughed 4,000 FAA workers and idled 70,000 construction workers at airport projects across the country.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood hailed the agreement, calling it "a  tremendous victory for American workers everywhere."

In a prepared statement, LaHood said, "From construction workers to our FAA employees, they will have the security of knowing they are going to go back to work and get a paycheck -- and that's what we've been fighting for. We have the best aviation system in the world and we intend to keep it that way."

President Obama also expressed relief that leaders ended the impasse so that the tens of thousands of construction workers and others could resume work.

"We can't afford to let politics in Washington hamper our recovery, so this is an important step forward," Obama said in a statement. 

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, stressed the impact that the stalemate had on the state. She said, "California airports were hurt by this partial shutdown, with many safety projects delayed or halted, so I want to thank the Obama Administration for working with Senate Democratic leaders to end the impasse."

Boxer told reporters in a conference call before the agreement was announced that the funding battle between Democrats and Republicans concerned subsides for rural air service and rules that make it easier for aviation employees to unionize.

However, Boxer said the agreement only lasts through Sept. 16, so she is urging House Speaker John Boehner to quickly name conferees so that House and Senate officials can resolve their differences in a conference committee.

Among the projects that were halted because of disagreements between Republican and Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C., was the $31 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at the Oakland International Airport.

Boxer said 60 construction workers were idled when the work at the Oakland airport was halted.

State Appeals Court Struck Down DNA Sample Collection Law

A state appeals court in San Francisco Thursday struck down a California law that requires police to collect DNA samples from anyone arrested on suspicion of a felony.

A three-judge Court of Appeal panel unanimously ruled that the measure, when applied to people who are arrested without a warrant and without any charges having been filed, violates the federal constitutional right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures.

Justice Anthony Kline wrote that the DNA collection "unreasonably intrudes on such arrestees' expectation of privacy and is invalid under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution."

The case concerns "the extent to which technology can be permitted to diminish the privacy guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment," Kline wrote for the court.

"There is no doubt that an extraordinary amount of private personal information can be extracted from the DNA samples and specimens seized by the police without a warrant, collected and indefinitely retained by the (state) Department of Justice," Kline said.

The decision, made in the case of a San Francisco man arrested on suspicion of arson of a police car, conflicts directly with a ruling in which a federal trial judge upheld the law last year.

That decision, by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, is now being appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by four citizens who had their DNA collected after being arrested, but were never charged with a crime.

The state appeals court ruling can also be appealed, first to the California Supreme Court and then to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Shum Preston, a spokesman for California Attorney General Kamala Harris, said, "We are reviewing the court's opinion and will determine the appropriate course of action."

Since both the state and federal cases center on the federal Constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court would have the final word on both, if it chooses to hear appeals.

16-Year-Old Charged With Armed Robbery Of An Antioch Barbershop

A 16-year-old boy and his alleged accomplice were charged Thursday in connection with an armed robbery at a barbershop in Antioch on Monday, during which the pair allegedly staged a kidnapping of the teen.

The 16-year-old was charged in juvenile court with second-degree robbery and carjacking -- both felonies -- and firearms enhancements, police said.

The adult suspect, Eric Lerone Walker, 23, was charged with four felonies, including second-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, carjacking and possession of a dangerous weapon. He is also facing firearms enhancements.

Both suspects are scheduled to be arraigned today in Contra Costa County courts.

The robbery happened at about 3:40 p.m. Monday at Al's Barber Shop, located at 11 W. 18th St., police said.

The victim, Al Holmes, who works in the barbershop, said he was in the shop alone when a man with a gun came in, pointed the gun at his head, ordered him to the ground, and robbed him.

While the robbery was happening, a 16-year-old boy who did odd jobs around the business came back from running an errand, Holmes said. 

The gunman, believed to be Walker, allegedly pointed his gun at the boy before forcing him into Holmes' SUV. The pair fled the scene in the stolen vehicle.

Police initially responded to the incident as a kidnapping and issued a statewide Amber Alert for the boy.

They were later told that the boy had been released, but he did not come talk to investigators, police said.

Meanwhile, Holmes said, rumors at the barbershop began to circulate that the kidnapping was a hoax and the teen was involved in the robbery.

Tuesday afternoon, police arrested the teenager and he allegedly admitted that he was involved in the robbery and had faked the kidnapping, police said.

Tuesday evening, police served a search warrant on an apartment in the 3100 block of Lone Tree Way, where they arrested Walker.

During a search of the premises, police found a sawed-off shotgun believed to have been used in the robbery and property that had been stolen during the robbery, police said.

CHP Officer Charged With Spousal Battery    

A California Highway Patrol officer has been charged with spousal battery and trying to prevent the victim from filing a complaint. 

Richard Robert Shuman Jr., 39, pleaded not guilty to two felony and four misdemeanor charges on July 27 in Sonoma County Superior Court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Shuman has been a CHP officer for 11 years and is not currently working, said Lt. Jeff Rhea with the CHP office in Rohnert Park.

Rhea said he could not comment further on the personnel matter.

Shuman is charged with two misdemeanor counts and one felony count of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, a felony count of attempting to prevent a victim from filing a complaint, and misdemeanor charges of possession of a  controlled substance and violating domestic violence order.

Shuman is being held in Sonoma County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Shuman's attorney, L. Steven Turer, said the battery allegations, which he called "bogus", involve Shuman's wife of 18 months.

Turer also said the alleged offenses happened on different days.

Shuman was arrested on July 19. His wife then sought an emergency protective order and Shuman was arrested again on July 26 for allegedly violating the order, Turer said.

"She went to see him," Turer said regarding the alleged violation
of the protective order.

East Palo Alto Police Released Photographs Of Two Suspected For Murder

East Palo Alto police released photographs Thursday of two suspects wanted for questioning in two murders last month in an attempt to find the men and warn the public.

Jaime Cardenas, 19, and Fidel Silva, 20, are wanted for questioning in connection with homicides on July 13 and July 19, police said.

The two East Palo Alto residents are also suspects in two armed robberies and a triple shooting in Grand Junction, Colo., in which one person was killed and two others injured, police Chief Ron Davis said.

Investigators believe that the two men were responsible for the death of 19-year-old Catherine Fisher, who was shot while sitting in a parked car with another female and a male in the 2500 block of Annapolis Street at about 2:10 a.m. on July 13, police said.

The suspects approached the car and opened fire, killing the Menlo Park woman. Investigators believe the gunmen were targeting the male in the car.

Police suspect the men then traveled to Grand Junction, where Fuentes had a "connection," acting Capt. Jeff Liu said.

Grand Junction police said the men are suspects in an armed robbery at a cash advance business, a home burglary, an armed robbery at a liquor store and a fatal shooting. All of the crimes were committed on July 16.

Detectives believe the two men returned to East Palo Alto, and were involved in the shooting of 26-year-old Hugo Chavez on July 19 at about 8:35 p.m. near 13 Camellia Court.

Chavez, who had a brief conversation with the gunman before he was shot several times, was taken to a hospital where he died about four hours later.

Liu said he hopes that the photographs will provide new leads to find Cardenas and Silva, while also warning the public to be wary of the two men.

"These guys are dangerous. We need to get them off the streets. We don't want them to hurt people," Liu said.

Police Seek Helping Finding Man Missing Since Sunday

San Francisco police are asking for the public's help in finding a man who has been missing since last weekend.

Maurice James, 29, was last seen on Sunday. He was thought to be depressed and was believed to be going to a nearby beach, police said.

James is described as a black man who is 6 feet tall, weighs about 155 pounds, is bald and has green eyes. He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt and black leather pants, according to police.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call San Francisco police at (415) 553-0123 or the department's missing persons unit at (415) 558-5508.

South Bay Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Seeks Public's Help In Finding Who Is Responsible For Barn Owl Injuries

A barn owl was found in Gilroy recently with its bones and primary feathers removed from its left wing such that it could not fly, and a South Bay wildlife rehabilitation center is asking for the public's help in finding whoever is responsible for the act.

The adult female owl was discovered on June 20 in a residential driveway in Gilroy, according to Sue Howell, executive director of the Morgan Hill-based Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, which filed a police report in Gilroy on Tuesday detailing the animal cruelty.

"I've been working with wildlife for about 30 years, and this is a new one for me," Howell said.

The nameless owl was found in the driveway by someone who discovered it could not fly, took it inside and called police, who referred them to the wildlife center, Howell said.

Center officials believe the bird had escaped or been released very recently before it was found, since if it had been on the ground for a while, its remaining feathers "would have been really ragged," Howell said. 

She said the procedure of removing the bones and primary feathers, known as "pinioning," was likely meant to keep the animal as a pet. The procedure is sometimes performed on ducks and geese but very rarely on owls.

Center officials believe the procedure was done by someone with pinioning experience because "it was such a precise cut to the bone and feather area ... this was no amateur job." 

Barn owls typically catch their rodent prey by swooping down and picking them up, but because this owl is unable to fly, she will never be able to be released from captivity, Howell said. 

Howell said authorities are concerned that whoever performed the procedure on the owl could do it again to other animals. 

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the state's Department of Fish and Game at (888) 334-2258.

San Francisco Bay Area Weather Forecast

The Bay Area is forecast to be cloudy with patchy fog and drizzle this morning, becoming partly cloudy, with highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s. 

It is expected to be partly cloudy this evening, becoming mostly cloudy with patchy fog and drizzle expected after midnight. Lows are expected to be in the mid 50s.

Saturday is expected to be mostly cloudy with patchy fog and drizzle in the morning, becoming partly cloudy, with highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s.

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San Francisco police are asking for the public's help in finding a man who has been missing since last weekend.

Maurice James, 29, was last seen on Sunday. He was thought to be depressed and was believed to be going to a nearby beach, police said.

James is described as a black man who is 6 feet tall, weighs about 155 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt and black leather pants, according to police.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call San Francisco police at (415) 553-0123 or the department's missing persons unit at (415) 558-5508.

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     Universal Internet Access for All San Franciscans

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A business in San Francisco's Marina District was robbed on Wednesday night, police said.

The robbery was reported at about 8:50 p.m. at a business in the 3300 block of Fillmore Street between Lombard and Chestnut streets.

A suspect entered the store, took out a handgun and ordered two employees, a 21-year-old woman and 24-year-old man, to the rear of the business, according to police.

He ordered the male employee to open the company's safe and the victim complied, handing over cash, police said.

The suspect, described as a man in his early 30s, fled and had not been found as of this morning.

Neither employee was injured in the robbery, according to police. 

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411.

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