Lodi police arrest motorist on suspicion of reckless driving

LODI — When Officer Ryan LaRue of the Lodi Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle for a reckless driving violation in the area of South Washington Street and Flora Street at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Monday, the driver failed to yield and began evading officers, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.

After leading officers in and out of city limits on a pursuit that spanned several miles, the suspect’s vehicle became stuck in the mud on the 1000 block of South Stockton Street in Lodi, according to the post.

The suspect then fled on foot toward the area of Poplar Street and South Liebig Street, according to the post, where a perimeter was established, before ultimately being apprehended in the backyard of a nearby residence.

Joseph Howering, 22, of Lodi was arrested on suspicion of felony evading, reckless driving, felony vandalism, possession of shaved keys, possession of stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. — John Bays

Escapee from Hawaiian hospital granted hearing

STOCKTON — The man described as a “violent psychopath” who was recently captured in Stockton after escaping from a Hawaii psychiatric hospital made his second appearance in San Joaquin County Superior Court on Monday afternoon.

Randall Toshio Saito, 59, was granted an identity hearing to confirm who he is through photo identification and fingerprints provided from authorities in Hawaii. It will be held at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 5 in Department 7B.

Should that be confirmed, extradition proceedings may continue in order to return Saito to Hawaii. To date, he has not waived an extradition hearing. He is currently being held without bail in the County Jail in French Camp.

Saito, according to reports, spent four decades at Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe until his well-publicized escape earlier this month. He was captured near Highway 99 and Waterloo Road in Stockton after an employee for Yellow Cab recognized him from news reports.

He had been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in connection with the death of Sandra Yamashiro, who in 1979 was shot in the face with a pellet gun, then repeatedly stabbed until she died. — Stockton Record

Stockton mothers rally outside police building

STOCKTON — Antonia Botello was one of the several women who gathered outside the Stockton Police Department headquarters for what they said was a walk for healing and justice. The women, who were joined by at least two dozen other people, wore or held images of their children, all victims of Stockton violence.

Botello’s father, son and grandniece were all killed in separate incidents over the years, and none of their murderers have been brought to justice, she said.

The group wrote a note to Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones that read, “We demand justice and walk for healing now” with a list of the names of each of their loved ones. The group then peacefully walked into the department’s lobby to deliver the handwritten note.

Botello said she and her niece, Kimberly Botello, whose 3-year-old daughter Melanie was fatally shot last year, are still trying to cope with their losses and have come to rely on each other. On Monday, Kimberly Botello walked alongside her aunt, each holding images of their own children. — Stockton Record

Burglar chased off by Turlock teen hiding in closet

TURLOCK — A Turlock teen was frightened but uninjured when she was home alone and came face to face with a burglar who found her hiding in a closet Sunday afternoon.

The burglary-turned-robbery occurred about 3:20 p.m. in northeast Turlock. Neighbors were out doing yardwork and putting up holiday lights when the burglar kicked in the front door of the home, said Bobi-Jo Pederson McCalley, mother of the 13-year-old girl who was inside.

The man, described only as white or Latino, wearing a dark shirt and dark shorts, was dropped off on the side of the house by an accomplice driver, McCalley said.

McCalley’s daughter went upstairs to hide in the masterbedroom closet and called 911 when the man broke in. The man went room to room stealing items, then swung open the door of the closet where the teen was hiding. She screamed and hit him, her mother said.

He ran, and the girl gave chase to make sure he left the house, McCalley said. On Facebook, McCalley thanked neighbors for coming over to help her daughter, and police for their quick response. — Modesto Bee

Report: Two cats shot with arrows in San Jose

SAN JOSE — Authorities are investigating a pair of bow-and-arrow attacks on cats in Willow Glen, according to reports.

A feral cat was targeted in the first attack in October and a pet cat in the other on Nov. 21, KNTV reported Monday night. Both attacks occurred near Alma Loop and Minnesota Avenue.

Both cats reportedly survived and are recovering. Police have yet to identify a suspect.

“It is extremely alarming,” Capt. Jay Terrado of San Jose Animal Services told the station. “When you have two incidents, for us, we are thinking it’s intentional and malicious.”

The person responsible for the attacks could face felony charges and jail time, KNTV reported. — San Jose Mercury News

Former police officer charged with statutory rape

SAN LEANDRO — A former Northern California police officer has been charged with statutory rape after admitting he had sex with a 17year-old girl he met at his police department.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Tuesday former San Leandro police officer Marco Becerra met the girl while working as an instructor at the department’s Explorer program. The program is designed to give teenagers a head start in a law enforcement career through training and community work.

Court documents show the 26-year-old Becerra resigned in October after he confessed to being in a sexual relationship with the girl. On Nov. 8, Alameda County prosecutors charged Becerra with three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. He pleaded not guilty.

Becerra’s attorney, Michael rains, said the relationship was consensual.