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Raul Tito Perez, 35. The “Omertà” tattoo on his upper lip is Italian and refers to the Mafia code of silence and code of honor that places importance on silence in the face of questioning by authorities or outsiders; non-cooperation with authorities, the government, or outsiders, especially during criminal investigations; and willfully ignoring and generally avoiding interference with the illegal activities of others.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
Orland – We now know what Raul Perez had in his backpack.
You may recall that on Thursday, Feb. 25, Orland police officers responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of Monterey Street. While at 518 Monterey Street, Orland Police Officer Roenspie saw Raul Perez, “a known gang member and felon,” enter the residence where the officer had also seen two other women, Leilani Miller and Michelea Castro.
Perez was carrying a black and gray backpack.
Officer Roenspie was still investigating the original incident for OPD’s presence at the scene, which allegedly occurred in Tehama County, when he was contacted by Miller, who told the officer that Raul Perez had a firearm, a Glock 43, and had threatened to kill the police officers who were outside the residence. Officer Roenspie then saw Michelea Castro, who made a comment that Raul Perez had a gun.
The officer saw the door was now open and he saw Raul Perez walk from the kitchen towards the front door, where Officer Roenspie was speaking with resident Sara Perez. The officer was afraid that Raul Perez had the firearm and was going to try to fire upon him and the other officers.
Officer Roenspie ordered Raul Perez to show his hands. The officer noticed Michelea Castro fearfully walking her children out of the residence.
Roenspie did not see that Raul Perez was now in possession of the backpack. The officer asked Perez where he was living, and he said he wasn’t living anywhere.
Officer Roenspie asked Perez if he had a gun in his backpack. Perez said he did not have a gun and was not “searchable and testable,” and added that he was done talking to Roenspie.
The officer said he was trying to ask Sara Perez if he could come inside and search the items in her residence. Raul Perez told Officer Roenspie no, and he began to tell Sara Perez not to allow any police officers into the residence.
Sara Perez protested to Raul Perez that if he didn’t have anything to hide, then let the officers search his bag. Raul Perez turned around and began to walk back towards the kitchen, where he said his backpack was on the table.
Officer Roenspie was afraid Raul Perez was going to attempt to retrieve the firearm, so the officer entered the residence and ordered Perez to sit down.
Roenspie attempted to speak with Sara Perez, but Raul Perez continued to interrupt and ask why the officer was inside the residence. Officer Roenspie told Perez he did not want him to grab a gun and shoot the officers like he was alleged to have said.
Raul Perez allegedly responded that if he had wanted to shoot Officer Roenspie, he would have done it.
Sara Perez then began speaking with Raul Perez in mixed English and Spanish. While speaking with her, Raul Perez got up and became upset.
For officer safety, Perez was handcuffed and seated in a chair. Officer Katherine Lowery then seated him in the back of Officer Roenspie’s patrol vehicle while Roenspie remained in the residence with the backpack.
Officer Lowery returned to the residence and kept watch on the backpack while Officer Roenspie spoke with Leilani Miller, who told him that when Raul Perez walked in, she knew he was known to carry weapons. Miller said she asked him if he had anything on him, and he lifted his sweater and showed her his waistband.
She then asked him what was in his backpack, and he told her not to worry about it. Miller said she confronted Raul Perez and told him she knew he carried on him.
Miller allegedly told Perez she saw him flashing a firearm at the Dollar Store and she knew he was carrying. At the residence, Perez allegedly told her he had a Glock 43 and pulled it out of his backpack.
Miller later told Officer Roenspie the firearm was a compact and described it as having a gold slide and a silver grip.
Miller alleged that a little earlier Raul Perez had pulled out his phone and began to “snapchat,” saying he was going to kill the cops outside. She also said that Perez alleged he was a cop killer and that this was his “hood.”
Miller said she was afraid because of the weapon but was more afraid due to her niece and nephew being in the home. They were identified as Layla Ponce, 8, and Brandon Ponce, 3.
Michalea Castro told Officer Roenspie she wanted to press charges against Perez for having a firearm in her house with her kids present. She alleged she heard Perez say he had a gun, and when she turned around, she saw him return a black firearm to his backpack.
She alleged she saw Perez recording himself with his phone, saying the cops were at the house and he was going to kill them. She also alleged that a few weeks ago, Perez had pulled out a gun in front of her and her kids at the Dollar General on Newville Road.
Based on Miller’s and Castro’s statements, Officer Roenspie placed Perez under arrest for allegedly making threats against peace officers (a felony). Sara Perez told Roenspie she wanted the backpack out of her house since it was Raul Perez’s property.
Due to Raul Perez being placed under arrest, Officer Roenspie collected the backpack and confirmed with Miller and Castro that it was the backpack from which Perez pulled the firearm. Roenspie then secured it in the back of his patrol vehicle and later secured it in an evidence locker.
Perez was transported to the Glenn County Jail by Officer Jose Flores and booked on charges alleging threatening a school, public officer, or employee (a felony). His bail was set at $10,000.
Following these incidents on Feb. 25, Officer Roenspie sought a warrant to search Raul Perez’s backpack. In his statement of probable cause, Roenspie expressed his belief “that a search of the above-described backpack will result in the seizure of evidence that will help determine if Raul [Perez] was committing a felony by being a felon in possession of a firearm.”
In Glenn County, Raul Perez was convicted and sentenced on felony charges in 2004. The felonies for which he was found guilty were being an accessory to a crime, and violation of probation.
Based on the above information, Officer Roenspie applied for and was granted a warrant to search Raul Perez’s backpack. A Glock-style 9mm caliber firearm and 26 9mm rounds were found in the backpack.
At the time of his February arrest, Officer Roenspie also collected Raul Perez’s cell phone. Based on the statements made by Miller and Castro that Perez recorded himself with his own cell phone making threats and committing a felony while possessing a firearm, Roenspie applied for another warrant to search the contents of the cell phone.
In a call to the Glenn County Jail late Sunday morning, April 11, a custodial officer indicated that Raul Perez is not currently an inmate there.
I’ve accomplished quite a bit today (Saturday), and I’m not done yet, although I will probably wait until the morning to post anything more. But if you like the news I am bringing you, please support my work. I simply can’t do this for free. If enough of you would do it, $5 a month would be fine. And, if you break it down to a monthly basis, that’s cheaper than the cheapest subscription rate to Glenn County’s best known newspaper. C’mon. Help me out here, won’t you?
After handcuffing him, CHP Officer Jaime Vasquez prepares to place one of two drivers involved in an apparent alcohol-involved accident in the back of his patrol unit. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
Glenn County Observer
Capay District – The drivers of two vehicles involved in a vehicle accident in the Capay District were taken into custody after they both apparently failed field sobriety tests mid-afternoon Saturday, April 10.
Little information regarding the crash was available on Saturday, but it appeared that at about 3:15 p.m., a Dodge pickup was traveling west on County Road 9 at First Avenue.
A GMC Yukon may have been traveling the same direction, or it may have turned from southbound First Avenue onto westbound Road 9.
The other driver is also handcuffed and about to be placed in a patrol car. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
Regardless, something caused the pickup to roll over and come to rest on its side, blocking both lanes of Road 9.
A large mechanics truck at the scene was reportedly able to pull the pickup over onto its wheels, so that it then blocked only the eastbound lane of Road 9.
A west-facing Dodge pickup blocks the eastbound lane of County Road 9 Saturday afternoon. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
It is not clear the Yukon even collided with anything, as no damage to it could be seen, at least on its front, driver’s side, or rear. Also, with the CHP’s permission, the driver’s brother was able to move the vehicle.
Neither driver was seriously injured, but both were arrested on charges alleging driving while under the influence.
Orland – A new business officially opened its doors a short time ago today, Saturday. At 11 a.m., a ribbon cutting was held at 226 East Walker Street, between Papst and Woodward Avenues on the north side of the street, for K & B Wholesale, a company that focuses on pallet liquidation items from retailers such as Target, Costco, Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, and other enterprises. Items sold include home goods, furniture, small appliances, and much more. The ribbon cutting was attended by representatives of the Orland City Council and the Chamber of Commerce. As Orland Mayor Bruce Roundy pointed out, K & B Wholesale is a family-owned business, owned by the Hay family. Its hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. K & B’s phone number is (916) 509-2246. And check out its Facebook page. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
Here are the latest incident reports from the Orland Police Department.
Tuesday, April 6:
8:20 a.m., Jess Aniello, 67, reported a “cold” burglary at 226 East Colusa Street, saying an unknown person broke into a storage unit. He did not want to file a report, but requested extra patrol.
9:14 a.m., the Orland Police Department assisted the Orland Unified School District employees with contacting the parent of a student at the Orland Inn, 1052 South Street.
9:35 a.m., Orland police officers responded to a residential alarm activation at 64 East Tehama Street. Officers contacted the homeowner and determined the alarm was set off in error.
9:49 a.m., Orland police officers responded to assist with a medical aid call at 6712 County Road 13.
9:55 a.m., the Orland Police Department responded to assist Bambauer Towing with escorting a large load through the intersection of Walker and Sixth Streets. Officers conducted traffic control until the vehicles were through the intersection.
4:37 p.m., on Walker Street, Orland officers contacted Keith Milner, 27, of Orland, who was found to have three misdemeanor warrants out of Paradise. Officers arrested Milner and released him with a citation.
Wednesday, April 7:
8:19 a.m., the Orland Police Department responded to a report of a lost cell phone at the Dollar General, 851 Newville Road. Maria Llamas, 64, of Orland, reported she lost her cell phone.
10:44 a.m., Orland police officers responded to a report of a reckless driver in the 300 block of Byron Way. Officers were unable to locate any vehicles matching the description.
10:45 a.m., Orland police officers initiated a traffic enforcement stop on a silver 2007 Nissan Altima at 240 East Mill Street. After an investigation, Johnathan Cuin-Perez, 19, of Orland, was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence. He was transported and booked into the Glenn County Jail.
11:14 a.m., Orland police officers responded to the 4000 block of Ide Street for a request for a welfare check on a person sleeping in a vehicle. Officers contacted Steven Hodges, 26, who fell asleep with his vehicle in gear and drove into some bushes. Hodges had damage to his vehicle but declined a collision report.
3:59 p.m., the Orland Police Department was contacted by Leobardo Gomez-Cardenas, 46, of Orland, who reported he lost his Mexico Consular Card about a year ago.
4:25 p.m., the Orland Police Department was contacted regarding found property. Officers attempted to contact the owner, without success. The property was booked for safekeeping.
5:11 p.m., Orland police officers responded to a report of a disabled semi-truck in the roadway on South Street. Officers assisted with traffic control until the truck was moved.
6:20 p.m., Orland police officers responded to a report of an unknown man in a water truck hooked up to a fire hydrant on Hoff Way. The reported vehicle left prior to officers’ arrival. Officers conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
9:12 p.m., an Orland police officer observed a silver Volvo sedan traveling west on Newville Road at the Interstate 5 overpass with its high beams on and failed to dim them for oncoming traffic. Officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop and the driver, Luis Zaragosa, 49, of Orland, was issued a citation.
Thursday, April 8:
12:35 a.m., the Orland Police Department assisted the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office with a suspicious vehicle call at 4320 County Road HH.
12:35 a.m., on Newville Road, an Orland police officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a gold 2000 Toyota Camry for an alleged equipment violation. The driver, Alejandro Gaspar-Ramirez, 50, of Capay, was issued a citation for a defective headlight and allegedly driving with an expired license.
8:10 a.m., Orland police officers responded to do a welfare check on a man sleeping in a vehicle at the Pilot Travel Center, 4444 Commerce Lane. Officers contacted Kenneth Roberson, 59, a Willows area transient, who stated he was fine and not in need of police assistance.
6:47 p.m., Orland police officers responded to a request for a welfare check on a white male adult walking barefoot along the roadway in the area of Walker Street and Woodward Avenue. Officers contacted Lawrence Biddle, 62, of Orland, who stated he was fine and did not require any assistance.
8:26 p.m., Orland police officers responded to a report that Steven Stoltenberg, 54, of Orland (not the Steven Stoltenberg from Artois Feed and Grain), needed medical assistance. Officers arrived on-scene at 705 Fifth Street and assisted Westside Ambulance until no longer needed.
9:30 p.m., the Orland Police Department received a report from a person at 1013 Eighth Street regarding annoying phone calls. Officers provided the reporting party with their options.
9:48 p.m., Orland police officers responded to 822 Third Street regarding a report of an assault involving a baseball bat. After an investigation, Jessica Benson, 38, of Orland, was arrested on charges alleging assault with a deadly weapon and felony domestic violence.
Friday, April 9:
2:45 a.m., the Orland Police Department responded to a report of a 911 hang-up where a woman was heard groaning. Officers responded to 510 Fourth Street and contacted the residents, who were found to be okay and in no need of assistance.
Here are the latest bookings from the Glenn County Jail. Remember: Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Monday, April 5:
12:17 a.m., Daniel Denton Grijalva, 33, an assistant manager (of what is not stated) who lives in Yreka, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody on Walnut Street, east of Tehama Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
10:55 a.m., Everett Michael-David Maghan, 31, a laborer who lives in Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony and misdemeanor violation of probation. Bail was set at $47,000. He was taken into custody at the jail by a Glenn County probation officer.
Tuesday, April 6:
10:24 a.m., at the Glenn County Jail, Maria Concepcion Paniagua, 41, a laborer who lives in Willows, was held without bail on charges alleging violation of parole (a felony).
11:20 a.m., Gardenia Vanessa Avalos, 31, a caregiver who lives in Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony violation of probation. Bail was set at $40,000. She was taken into custody at the Glenn County Probation Department, Willows, by a probation officer.
Wednesday, April 7:
11:11 a.m., Johnathian Cuin-Perez, 19, a laborer who lives in Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors), and a warrant alleging disobeying a court order (a misdemeanor). Total bail was set at $15,000. He was taken into custody at 240 East Mill Street by an Orland police officer.
1 p.m., at the Glenn County Jail, Andres Simon Ortega, 25, a maintenance worker who lives in Willows, was found to have a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail was set at $10,000.
1:03 p.m., at the Glenn County Jail, Tyler James Fox, 26, a laborer who lives in Orland, was found to have warrants alleging vehicle theft (a felony), driving with a suspended license (a misdemeanor), and misdemeanor violation of probation. Total bail was set at $27,000.
Orland – At about 6:45 a.m., the California Highway Patrol received a report of a single-vehicle rollover on the northbound side of Interstate 5, north of Orland. The call was initially said to be just south of County Road 7, but when nothing was found in that area, emergency responders began looking elsewhere. The accident was soon found to be along the northbound side of I-5, just south of the Highway 32 exit. Police scanner chatter indicated a vehicle was traveling north on I-5, when its driver fell asleep, traveled off the roadway to the east, and crashed through a wall erected as a noise barrier between I-5 and Porter Drive. At about 7:04 a.m., further response from the Orland Fire Department was canceled. Glenn County Observer photo by Donna Wilder.
The Glenn County Observer 