Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Double Murder/Suicide on Thurman Way

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:25:28 GMT

On March 13, 2010, at 9:39 p.m., Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of multiple gunshots heard in the 5300 block of Thurman Way. Deputies arrived and found three subjects lying on the ground. The first subject, a 28-year-old male, had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. The second subject, a 17-year-old female, also had multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. The third subject, a 25-year-old male, had suffered a single gunshot wound to his head. Paramedics pronounced all three subjects dead at the scene. A semi automatic handgun was found next to the third subject’s body.

Investigators have learned the 25-year-old male had a past dating relationship with the 17-year-old female. The 28-year-old male had been currently dating the female. According to witnesses, shortly before the shooting, the ex-boyfriend had driven to the female victim’s home on Thurman Way, argued with her and then left. He returned minutes later, located the male victim, who also lived on Thurman Way, and shot him. He then shot his ex-girlfriend who was standing a short distance away. After he shot her, he turned the gun on himself and took his own life.

The identities of the three subjects will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office after they notify their next-of-kin.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman

Suspect in 2005 Homicide Extradited from the Country of Georgia

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:40:30 GMT

On March 11, 2010, at 11:00 p.m., Sacramento County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives booked 54-year-old Nazir Ahmad Fazel into the Sacramento County Main Jail on the charge of murder. The charge stems from the November 10, 2005, murder of 60-year-old Mohammad Samimi in Elk Grove.

At the time, Sheriff’s detectives determined Fazel accosted Samimi in front of Samimi’s residence and then shot him during the physical altercation which ensued. Detectives learned Fazel had been romantically involved with Samimi’s wife and was angry when their relationship ended.

Fazel fled from the United States after the murder. The Federal Bureau of Investigation then joined the investigation and on March 7, 2006, a warrant, charging Fazel with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution in violation of Title 18, USC, Section 1073, was issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

In February 2008, the FBI confirmed Fazel was in Afghanistan (his country of birth). Sometime in 2009 the FBI learned Fazel was scheduled to travel to the country of Georgia. Georgian officials were advised and took him into custody on Oct 14, 2009. In coordination with FBI Sacramento, Georgian authorities ordered Fazel extradited in December 2009. Fazel exhausted his two allowable appeals and was surrendered to the FBI on March 11, 2010, and transported back to Sacramento.

The successful investigation and apprehension of Fazel overseas was conducted by the FBI's Legal Attaches in Afghanistan, Poland and Germany with the considerable assistance of law enforcement officials in the country of Georgia. The fugitive investigation was conducted by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department and the FBI in Sacramento.

Fazel’s return to Sacramento was facilitated by Project Welcome Home which provides the funding to assist in the transportation of FBI fugitives to the United States, where the repatriation by the host country occurs through deportation.

Fazel is scheduled to be arraigned on March 15, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., in Department 62.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman

Detectives Release Sketch of Sexual Battery Suspect

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:15:57 GMT

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Sexual Assault detectives have released a composite sketch (see below) of a man they believe is responsible for three separate sexual battery incidents. All three incidents involved three different 15-year-old female students walking to Del Campo High School. Each attack occurred on the cat walk leading from Moraga Drive onto the west end of the high school campus.

On January 28, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., the victim was walking to school when she was approached by the suspect who touched her inappropriately and ran off.

On February 5, 2010, at 7:53 a.m., the victim was walking to school when the suspect ran up to her from behind, grabbed her backpack, touched her inappropriately, and ran from the scene toward Moraga Drive.

On March 3, 2010, at 7:15 a.m., the victim was walking to school when the suspect ran up to her from behind, grabbed her, and touched her inappropriately. The suspect ran toward Moraga Drive after the victim was able to pull away from him.

The suspect is described as a White male adult in his 20’s. He’s 5’8” to 6’ tall, has short black hair, a chubby face, and a medium build. He was wearing a black hooded jacket and baggy jeans.

Anyone who believes they may know the identity of this suspect, or has any information regarding these incidents, is urged to call Sheriff’s detectives at (916) 874-5070; or send a text message tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman

Detectives Need Help in Identifying Attempted Robbery Suspect

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:44:56 GMT

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Robbery detectives are asking for help in identifying the suspect responsible for the February 21, 2010, attempted robbery of the Del Taco restaurant located at 9152 Keifer Boulevard.

At 4:00 p.m., an adult male walked into the restaurant, ordered food, and asked to speak to the manager. When the manager approached, the suspect pointed a handgun at him and demanded money. The manager ran behind the counter and the suspect fled without receiving any money.

The suspect (see surveillance photos below) was described as a Black male, in his 20’s. He was approximately 5’10” tall and weighed approximately 180 pounds. He was clean shaven, wearing a black beanie and sunglasses; and he had an unknown tattoo on the right-side of his neck.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect involved in this attempted robbery is urged to call Sheriff’s Robbery detectives at (916) 874-5115, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP; or send a text message tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman

Man's Body Found in the Sacramento River

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:58:39 GMT

On February 26, 2010, at approximately 11:00 a.m., a man walking along the Sacramento River on Sherman Island near the intersection of Sherman Island Road and Lelia Drive called 911 after he discovered a body floating in the river. Deputies arrived and found the body of an unidentified adult male. They were unable to determine the man’s age or race due to the condition of the body.

Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators were called to the scene and initiated an investigation. They will treat the case as a suspicious death until the cause and manner of the man’s death is determined by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this man, or the circumstances surrounding his death, is urged to call Sheriff’s Homicide detectives at (916) 874-5057, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP; or send a text message tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman

Detectives Release Sketches of Child Annoyance Suspects

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:11:46 GMT

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department detectives are asking for help identifying two suspects who were involved in the annoyance of a 14-year-old juvenile. On January 5, 2010, Sheriff’s deputies took a report from a 14-year-old female who said she was walking on Morse Avenue near Hurley Way when a car, occupied by the driver and a passenger, drove alongside her. The occupants of the car asked the young girl what her name was. The girl ignored them and continued walking. The suspects continued to follow her and at some point, the passenger got out of the vehicle and approached the victim. The victim was able to cross the street and get away from the suspects. After the victim crossed the street, the suspects drove away from the scene.

The driver (see composite sketches below) of the vehicle is described as a dark-skinned Black male in his early 20’s, with a Mohawk hairstyle. The passenger is described as a black male in his 30’s. He was 5’8” tall with a stocky build. He was wearing a red shirt and black shorts. The vehicle is described as a gold two door Lexus.

Anyone who believes they may know the identities of these suspects, or has any information regarding this incident, is urged to call Sheriff’s detectives at (916) 874-5070. Those with information may also call Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman

DUI & Driver's License Checkpoint

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:27:28 GMT

The Rancho Cordova Police Department will be holding a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, February 19, 2010, in the City of Rancho Cordova. The checkpoint will be operational that day from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m., the following morning.

Officers will be checking drivers for signs of impairment, providing educational materials outlining the dangers of driving while impaired, and checking for driver’s licenses. This checkpoint operation will be conducted utilizing funds from a grant provided to the Rancho Cordova Police Department by the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Spokesman
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department/
Rancho Cordova Police Department

Sheriff's Department to Resume Application of Time Credits for County Inmates

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:04:17 GMT

On February 16, 2010, a Sacramento County Superior Court judge vacated his earlier order and dissolved the temporary restraining order which prohibited the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department from applying a recent amendment to penal code section 4019, Time Credit for Work and Good Behavior, to county jail inmates.

After consultation with County Counsel, the District Attorney’s Office, and Attorney General Brown, effective immediately, the Sheriff’s Department will be applying the time credits prospectively. In compliance with amended penal code section 4019, after January 25, 2010, eligible county jail inmates will accrue one-for-one credit for work and good behavior.

Releases of inmates, eligible under the newly amended section, will occur as the new calculations are applied. All notifications to local law enforcement agencies have been made regarding the pending releases.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman

Sheriff's Department to Halt Application of All Time Credit for Work and Good Behavior

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:49:29 GMT

Upon direction from County Counsel in interpreting today’s temporary restraining order, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department will immediately cease applying any good or work time credits to jail inmates. All sentenced County inmates will serve their sentences in their entirety without the application of good or work time credits.

County Counsel is currently seeking clarification on today’s ruling. A hearing on this issue is set for February 18th at which time we hope to get the necessary clarification on this matter.

Sheriff's Service Center Relocates to Marconi Station

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:22:28 GMT

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department’s Northwest Area Service Center has relocated to the department’s Marconi Station. The service center is now located at 2500 Marconi Avenue #100, Sacramento, CA 95821. The phone number is (916) 876-5709. Business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The service center is staffed with a Sheriff’s Department Office Manger and Crime Prevention Specialist and supported by a dedicated staff of volunteers who serve the communities of Rio Linda, Elverta, Antelope, North Highlands, and Foothill Farms.

The staff is available to: take crime reports (limited to crimes that are non-violent in nature and not in-progress), fingerprint job and volunteer applicants; provide public safety education and crime prevention tips. The center’s Crime Prevention Specialist is available to help community residents and business owners organize Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch programs.

All community members and business owners are invited to visit the Northwest Area Service Center at its new location and introduce themselves to, or reacquaint themselves with, the friendly staff and take advantage of the services available. For more information call Northwest Area Service Center Office Manager Kristen Smith at (916) 876-5709.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman