Paso Robles Police Department

This year we thought we’d spread a little Holiday cheer. We’ve issued each officer some not-so-official holiday traffic warnings to be given out during the holiday season. Seriously, nobody wants a ticket during the season of cheer. If an officer cuts you a break, they will issue a special holiday, Santa warning thingy. Pay it forward. Do something nice for someone Now, this doesn’t mean you can drive like a maniac. Our officers still have discretion to cite. Drive while sauced on spiked eggnog and you will go to jail. Stay safe Paso and enjoy the holiday season.

Need to send a check to Billy Blanks for those Tae Bo workout tapes? DON’T USE THE DRIVE UP MAILBOXES at the US Post Office in Paso. Over the past month we have taken 15 reports regarding stolen checks from the drive up mailboxes at the Post Office. The stolen checks have all been washed, altered, and deposited electronically into someone’s account, for amounts far greater than the original amount. So far, the total loss is $30,000. We are continuing to investigate every case and are working with the Post Office to fix the problem. In the meantime, do not use the drive up mailboxes. If you reaalllllly must send a check (seriously, just pay online), use the mailboxes inside the building. Also, if you’re not comfortable with someone having your name, address, bank routing number, and account number, don’t send a check.

Happy Thanksgiving Paso! Over the past couple of days, members of PRPD have been busy delivering turkey dinners with Loaves & Fishes in Paso Robles. Their dedication underscores the importance of selfless service to the community. Take care of each other Paso, and have a safe Thanksgiving!

PRPD is seeking information about the whereabouts of two persons of interest in the homicide at J&J's Liquor. Jose Campoverde (21 Years old) Cayetano Osegueda (20 years old)... This is an ongoing investigation. If you have information about the whereabouts of either person of interest, please call the Paso Robles Police Department.

As you know, each year our department participates in No Shave November, which raises cancer awareness. Each year, officers donate a minimum of $50 for a shaving exemption. This year is a bit different and more personal. You see, one of our own is battling breast cancer. Andrea, our records clerk, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. Our officers approached Andrea and asked how we could help. Always humble and thinking of others, she wan...ted all money donated by the officers to be given to two local organizations that have given her strength, support, and hope, during her battle. So, this year our No Shave November campaign will run from Nov 18th to the end of the year, with all money raised going to Cancer Support Community - California Central Coast, and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center. If you see a scruffy officer, thank them for their fight against cancer! Will you join our fight? See links below to donate! Cancer Support Community: https://cscslo.org/Portal/Donate Hearst Cancer Resource Center (in designation dropdown, select Hearst Cancer Resource Center): https://www.supportfrenchhospital.org/donate-now Cancer Support Community - California Central Coast Hearst Cancer Resource Center

Yesterday at 5:30 PM, the Paso Robles Communication Center received a phone call regarding two people possibly shot in the parking lot of J&J Liquor, located at 3355 Spring Street. Police Officers and Paso Robles Emergency Services immediately responded. Officers found one male lying in the parking lot and quickly confirmed he had been shot with a fatal gunshot wound. Officers secured the area and a short time later located the second subject who had been shot. The second gun...shot victim’s injury was not life-threatening, and he was transported to a local hospital. During the initial investigation, officers learned, three individuals confronted the victim in the J&J Liquor parking lot after the suspects exited a vehicle. A physical fight occurred between the victim and two of the suspects. During the altercation, a handgun was fired, fatally striking the victim. The shooter also shot, possibly inadvertently, another person who was seen arriving at J&J's with the suspect. After the shooting, the suspect and another male fled the scene in their vehicle. The victim has been identified as a 27-year-old male, Oliver Nungaray, out of Hanford, CA. Paso Robles Police Detectives, along with investigators from the SLO District Attorney’s Office, are continuing to follow up on this investigation. Investigators located the suspect vehicle and are processing it for evidence. It is believed this shooting is gang-related. This investigation is ongoing, and no further information is currently available.

Please stay away from J&J's Liquor on the north end of town. We are investigating a shooting. More info to follow.

Yesterday was a busy one During nightshift, one of our officers attempted to stop a vehicle but the driver sped off. Hot on his heels, our officer chased, as the driver started chucking drugs out the window. The driver continued, straightenin’ the curves and flattenin’ the hills, until he thought better of his actions and stopped. The driver, Adam Fausel (31, Nipomo), was arrested for felony evading, drugs sales, destruction of evidence, and DUI. During dayshift, another officer attempted a stop on Brandon Foster, but he too did not stop. Foster eventually pulled over on Branch after about 3 miles and he was arrested as well for misdemeanor evading. Foster’s passengers were also arrested for various drug charges.

Police Department Quick Fact: The Police Department has seen a 40% increase in calls for service in the past five years, while the number of Police Officers remains below 2007 staffing levels. Average response times are now around 14 minutes. Measure J-20 sales tax revenues could be utilized to recruit and retain qualified officers to support Police services. Get more info here. (link to prcity.com/J20). Measure J-20, a one cent sale tax measure, is on the local Paso Ro...bles ballot. If enacted, Measure J-20 requires Independent Citizen Oversight, mandatory financial audits, and public reports to the community. All Measure J-20 revenues stay in Paso. Get more info here. (link to prcity.com/J20) Measure J-20 is the only local Paso Robles measure on your ballot. Measure J-20, a one cent sales tax measure, would provide locally controlled sales tax funding to maintain city services such as fire, police, and streets maintenance no funding could be taken by the State. Learn more here (link to prcity.com/J20) See more

Last night, one of our observant officers stopped a vehicle and found the 19-year-old driver to be drunk. He was ultimately arrested for DUI. As the 19-year-old passenger stepped out of the vehicle, the slide to a handgun fell from his pants. Apparently, while getting pulled over, the passenger thought he would just disassemble the gun and be good. That’s not how it works. The passenger was arrested for being in possession of a loaded unserialized Glock-style pistol, possession of a controlled substance while armed, and under the influence of a controlled substance while armed. Both were booked at county jail.

Another Life Saved Today at noon PRPD received a 911 call of a 35-year-old female unresponsive and not breathing. An officer was quick to respond and once on scene realized the female had injected a lethal dose of fentanyl. The officer knew if he did not retrieve his Narcan (nasal spray) from his vehicle the outcome would be grim. Once he was able to administer the Narcan, the female began displaying signs of recovery and had labored breathing. The patient was transported to the hospital for a fentanyl overdose and should make a full recovery. This is the second serious incident this year where officers had to administer Narcan in order to preserve life.

Last night, Chief Lewis presented Dispatcher McKinley, Sgt Lehr, and Battalion Chief Harris with medals of valor. In the early morning hours of June 10th, 2020, Dispatcher McKinley was working as a solo dispatcher, when she was monitoring the security camera footage surrounding the station and noticed a subject outside the police department with a firearm. Dispatcher McKinley alerted officers of the suspect’s location around the station. Dispatcher McKinley had the forethough...t to notify the Paso Robles Fire Department, who was headed back to the station after a call for service, advising them to stay away from the Public Safety Center. Although she may not have known it at the time, she undoubtedly saved the lives of our Fire personnel. Dispatcher McKinley, certainly rattled by the attack on our station, kept her composure and immediately tracked the subject on camera, updating officers with the shooter’s location. At 0425 hours, the most chilling words any law enforcement officer or dispatcher will ever hear cracked over the radio, Officer Down. As units on scene attempted to find a way to safely rescue Deputy Dreyfus, who had been shot, a SLOSO deputy reported a white truck was approaching the location of the downed officer. Unbeknownst to anyone, the driver of the truck was Sergeant Lehr, who was answering the call for help. Sergeant Lehr later recalled hearing gunshots coming from his directions as he drove south on Riverside toward the wounded deputy. Sergeant Lehr continued through the sounds of gunfire, where he contacted Deputy Pacas and a wounded Deputy Dreyfus. Wearing only sweatpants, sandals and a t-shift, Sergeant Lehr selflessly jumped into action to save Deputy Dreyfus. As a United States Marine, Sergeant Lehr never contemplated his own safety. Sergeant Lehr removed his own shirt and immediately applied pressure to Deputy Dreyfus’ wound. Sergeant Lehr understood the need to immediately remove Deputy Dreyfus from the scene and used the deputy’s radio to help coordinate incoming medical units. Simultaneously, while in the area and scanning the police department radio traffic, Battalion Chief Harris jumped into action as well. With an ambulance and fire engine staged for deployment at the fairgrounds, Battalion Chief Harris planned an extraction with his SUV to get Deputy Dreyfus the most immediate care possible. Without regard for his own safety, Battalion Chief Harris drove into the unsecured area, where he and Sergeant Lehr placed a bleeding Deputy Dreyfus into the SUV. At this time, the current location of the shooter was unknown. Battalion Chief Harris’ heroic, selfless, actions allowed him to get Deputy Dreyfus to safety, where life-saving medical attention could be obtained. For these reasons, Dispatcher McKinley was awarded the bronze medal of valor, Battalion Chief Harris was awarded the citizen of valor award, and Sergeant Lehr was awarded with our Department’s highest honor, the gold medal of valor.

Three More Arrested in the Perry Homicide Case On Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020, detectives from the Paso Robles Police Department, along with investigators from the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, arrested three more people in connection with the Trevon Perry homicide case. Detectives arrested 22-year-old Nyessa Ron and 18-year-old Valente Holquin III in Victorville. They also arrested 25-year-old Alberto Garzon in Riverside. All three were arrested for... 32 PC, accessory after-the-fact, for their involvement after Perry was murdered. The three were brought back to SLO County where they were booked at the San Luis Obispo County Jail. This investigation is ongoing, and anybody with information is encouraged to call Detective Bryce Lickness at 805-227-7450. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 805-549-STOP

Last night around 9:30 PM, PRPD received several reports of shots fired in the area of Santa Ysabel Ave. While responding, PRPD Dispatch received further information that a victim was on scene and had been shot. The suspect was gone prior to officers arriving. The victim was treated by PR Emergency Services and taken to the hospital where the victim is currently in stable condition. PRPD Detectives responded and are conducting an active investigation. It appears from initial evidence this shooting was gang related. If anyone has any information, please call PRPD Detective Bureau.

PRPD's goodest boy gets his own vest, thanks to the non-profit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.!