[KHTS] – There were several significant incidents that Sheriff’s Station deputies dealt with in the Santa Clarita Valley this week, including investigations, arrests and court cases.

Following the death of 4-year-old Travis Statton, who was found in a Castaic pool on Friday, a member of the SCV Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team shared the story of deputies’ efforts to save the boy.

A big rig crash on Interstate 5 in Gorman left one driver dead and the other injured Tuesday morning. Dominador B. Oropilla, 55, of Mesa, Ariz., was transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital and the deceased driver was not identified by CHP.

Commander Mike Parker of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced Tuesday that their investigation determined unsafe speed was the cause of the crash that claimed the lives of Paul Walker and Roger Rodas in November 2013.

Carl Astrera, 35, of Panorama City, who teaches at Legacy Christian Academy teacher, was arrested Wednesday and booked on one count of child molestation or annoyance.

The school later issued a statement about the incident.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies announced a new program Thursday that would help remind residents to keep their vehicles and valuables safe. Deputies will now put notices on cars that they have determined to be at high risk for crimes of opportunity.

Two court cases with Santa Clarita ties, involving murder and manslaughter charges, were continued this week.

Nshan Sogomonyan, 29, of Encino, is due back in court April 25, regarding a fatal boating crash that killed 16-year-old Harut Emmanuel Shabazyan in 2012.

Diamonte Jerome McGhee, 20, Branden Trevaughn Higgis, 19, and Eric Michael Edwards, 19, dubbed “the Halloween Trio,” are due back in court April 10, when they will have 30 days to set a trial date. They are charged with the murder of Alex Sanchez in October 2011.

The March 17-23 crime reports for Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch and Valencia have been released by Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies. KHTS AM-1220 publishes crime reports in alphabetical order by community as they are made available.

Canyon Country Crime – east

Last week, the following Part 1 crimes occurred in Canyon Country East: (1) Residential Burglary, (1) Grand Theft Auto (5) Shoplifting (1) Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

There have been several shoplifting incidents reported in Zone 8 the past few weeks. The majority have been reported from the “Vons” on Soledad Canyon Road/Sand Canyon Road. The suspects in these shoplifting incidents have been stealing alcohol from the store and exiting the store without paying for the items.

A 1998 Cadillac Deville was stolen from Solamint Road. This vehicle was recovered later on the same day it was stolen.

A residential burglary was reported near the 28000 block of Sierra Cross Avenue. In this incident the suspect(s) kicked in the front door of the location while nobody was home. The suspect(s) stole two sets of keys and a checkbook from the location. This case is currently being investigated by Santa Clarita Valley Station detectives.

There was an assault with a deadly weapon reported near the 18000 block of American Beauty Drive. The suspect in this incident hit his ex-wife with his vehicle. The victim received minor injuries as a result of being hit by the vehicle. The suspect in this incident has not been arrested.

Canyon Country Crime – west

This past week in Zone 7, the following Part-1 Crimes occurred: (1) Robbery, (1) Commercial Burglary, (1) Vehicle Burglary, (2) Thefts from Unlocked Vehicles, (1) Petty Thefts, (2) Shopliftings.

A robbery occurred near the 19900 block of Soledad Canyon Road. One suspect entered the location and demanded money from the two owners. Fearing the suspect was going to hurt them, the owners handed the suspect $200.00 in cash. The suspect fled on foot and out of view.  A short time later, deputies located and arrested the suspect. This incident is currently under investigation by Santa Clarita Valley Station detectives.

A vehicle burglary occurred near the 26400 block of Ruether Avenue. During the late night hours, the victim’s rear window was smashed in and her purse was taken from within the vehicle. This incident is currently under investigation by Santa Clarita Valley Station detectives.

A petty theft occurred at Sierra Vista Junior High School. A student placed her cell phone on top of her backpack and walked away. When she returned, her cell phone was missing. This incident is currently under investigation by Santa Clarita Valley Station detectives.

A shoplifting occurred at Walmart on Carl Boyer Drive. One suspect entered the location and began concealing store items. The suspect then attempted to walk out of the location without paying for the concealed items. Loss Prevention detained the suspect and deputies responded and arrested the suspect.  This incident is currently under investigation by Santa Clarita Station Detectives.

A shoplifting occurred a TJ Maxx on Soledad Canyon Road. Two suspect entered the location and began concealing store items inside their purses. The two suspects walked outside and when confronted by Loss Prevention, dropped the stolen merchandise and ran away. This incident is currently under investigation by Santa Clarita Valley Station detectives.

A grand theft auto occurred near the 27200 block of Camp Plenty Road. During the late night hours, the victim’s vehicle was stolen from the front of the residence. This incident is currently under investigation by Santa Clarita Valley Station detectives.

Castaic/Val Verde Crime

There were three Part 1 Crimes in Zone 2 this past week. There was one reported commercial burglary at the Castaic Inn. An un-rented room was missing its blanket and sheets during a room check.  The staff said the bathtub looked as if it had been used as well. There were no signs of forced entry to the room.

There was one vehicle burglary reported on Ruby Lane in Castaic. The owner got into his vehicle in the morning to go to work and noticed his stereo and speakers were missing. After starting his vehicle and driving a short distance, he realized that the suspects had attempted to steal his rims and tires as well. One of his wheels fell off and the other three were all loose as well.

A second vehicle burglary was reported in Val Verde off of Lincoln Avenue. The owner found his vehicle window broken and the contents of his trunk had been taken. A MacBook laptop and iPod Shuffle were stolen.

Newhall Crime

A look back at the crimes reported in the Newhall area last week.

An assault was reported in the 23500 block of Meadowridge Drive on Monday, March 17. The 44-year-old female suspect was arrested the same day and has already been convicted in court of a misdemeanor offense.

Tools were stolen from a parked vehicle in the 23600 block of Newhall Avenue sometime during the night between Monday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 18.

Three cars were reported stolen last week. A 2003 PT Cruiser was stolen from the 23900 block of Lyons Avenue, a 2003 Saturn Vue from the 24400 block of Valley Street and a 1999 Nissan Sentra from the 23700 block of Valle Del Oro. The PT Cruiser and the Saturn both been recovered.

Saugus Crime

This week we had 2 Part-1 crimes reported in the Saugus area.

The first was an assault in the 27300 block of Catala Avenue on March 20. The assault occurred between a father and son after an argument. The victim was stabbed multiple times during the incident. Deputies responded and arrested the suspect without incident.

There was a vehicle stolen in the 28600 block of Darrow Avenue on March 18. The victim heard his vehicle’s exhaust outside his home. By the time he went outside to check on his vehicle it was gone. Deputies are searching for the vehicle.

There were multiple arrests made in Saugus over the past week. The arrests were for assault, domestic battery and narcotics

Stevenson Ranch/Westridge Crime

Last week, the following Part 1 crimes occurred in Zone 3 Stevenson Ranch: (2) Vehicle Burglaries and (2) Shoplifting.

A vehicle burglary occurred near the 25700 block of The Old Road. An unknown suspect shattered the rear driver’s side window of a vehicle and took a purse from rear passenger compartment.

A vehicle burglary occurred near the 24900 block of Pico Canyon Road. An unknown suspect shattered the rear passenger side window and took a disabled placard from the glove box.

A shoplift/burglary occurred near the 25400 block of The Old Road. A male suspect took the security wire off of a television and exited the store, failing to pay for the TV.

A petty theft/shoplift occurred near the 25400 block of The Old Road. Three female suspects took several electronic items and concealed them in a purse. The suspects failed to pay for the items when they exited the location and ignored loss prevention personnel’s orders to return to the store. The suspects fled the location in a silver 2013 Chrysler (Lic. #7BCY265).

Valencia Crime

Zone 5-Valencia had sixteen Part-1 Crimes reported during the past week. The criminal incidents included grand theft autos, residential burglary and vehicle burglaries from various areas.

Three grand theft autos occurred in various areas including the parking structure at the mall and the 25800 block of Tournament Road. Vehicles stolen were a Ford Ranger, a Dodge Dart and an Audi A4. I am happy to report that all three vehicles were located within 48 hours of being reported stolen.

A residential burglary occurred on the 23800 block of Arroyo Park Drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 1 p.m. The victim stated a large amount of cash was stolen from the bedroom area. Entry and exit is unknown. There was no evidence of forced entry made to the apartment. A second burglary occurred at the 24000 block of Cornelia Place between the hours 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Entry was made via the rear sliding glass door, which was left unlocked. Items stolen were four laptops, jewelry and money that were located throughout the house. No suspects have been arrested and the investigation is currently ongoing.

There were three vehicle burglaries which occurred at the parking structures in the Portofino Apartment Complex between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. Victims reported the rear passenger window had been smashed by an unknown object. Items stolen were an Apple iPod, GPS, sunglasses and loose change, all of which were visible in the center console area.

There were multiple arrests made this past week by proactive Santa Clarita deputies assigned to the Valencia area. Arrests included possession of narcotics, driving under the influence of alcohol and numerous shoplifting from local businesses.

If you see any suspicious activity, please call the Sheriff’s Station immediately at 661-255-1121.