Bakersfield PD details ongoing gang violence prevention efforts

On November 6, 2020, at about 2:03 a.m, officers of the Bakersfield Police Department made a traffic enforcement stop in the 400 block of West Columbus Street. The driver of the vehicle, Jose Serrato (34), was found to be on Post Release Community Supervision. A compliance search revealed a loaded, unregistered firearm in the vehicle. Serrato was placed under arrest gang participation, felon in possession of a firearm and various other weapon violations.

On November 6, 2020, at approximately 1:07 a.m., officers of the Bakersfield Police Department attempted to conduct a vehicle code enforcement stop in the 3900 block of Louisville Drive; however, the driver led officers on a short vehicle pursuit which ended when the driver, Jose Lopez (37) fled from the vehicle on foot. Lopez was taken into custody after a foot chase and was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. Lopez is on Post Release Community Supervision.

Lopez was placed under arrest for a pre-existing probation violation warrant, felon in possession of a firearm and other charges associated with the vehicle pursuit and weapon violations.

On November 5, 2020, at approximately 10:28 p.m., officers of the Bakersfield Police Department conducted a vehicle code enforcement stop in the 600 block of East California Avenue. The driver of the vehicle, Avaun Williams (25), was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. A passenger in the vehicle, Billy Tilford (34) was found to be on Post Release Community Supervision. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm and methamphetamine. Williams and Tilford were placed under arrest for gang participation, and applicable narcotics and weapons charges.

On November 5, 2020, at approximately 9:55 p.m., officers of the Bakersfield Police Department attempted to conduct a vehicle code enforcement stop in the 1100 block of L Street. The driver, Charles Wells (28), led officers on a vehicle pursuit before eventually yielding. Wells was taken into custody with no incident and a loaded unregistered firearm was located in his vehicle. Wells was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license, gang participation, felon in possession of a firearm and other applicable weapon violation charges.

On November 5, 2020, at approximately 6:45 p.m., officers of the Bakersfield Police Department contacted a subject, Duwayne Payton (24), in an occupied stolen vehicle in the 4600 block of Country Place Lane. Payton was found to be in possession of a loaded stolen firearm. He was placed under arrest for gang participation, associated weapons charges and possession of a stolen vehicle.

On November 4, 2020, at approximately 7:39 p.m., officers of the Bakersfield Police Department conducted a vehicle code enforcement stop in the 10 block of Myrtle Street. The driver, Deontray Thomas (35) was found to be on active parole. A passenger in the vehicle, Michael Webber (20) was found to be on Post Release Community Supervision. During a compliance search of the vehicle a loaded firearm was located. Thomas and Webber were placed under arrest for felons in possession of a firearm, gang participation and other associated charges. A third passenger (16) in the vehicle was placed under arrest for gang participation.

On November 4, 2020, at about 1:54 a.m., officers of the Bakersfield Police Department conducted a vehicle code enforcement stop in the 1000 block of Niles Street. The driver, Edward Pulido (36), was found to be on Post Release Community Supervision. A compliance search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm. Pulido was placed under arrest for felon in possession of a firearm, gang participation and other associated weapon violation charges.”