#ICYMI: This week, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) made headlines with several notable incidents, including a CHP K9 who sniffed out $143K in fentanyl during a traffic stop; CHP bust recovers $200K in stolen goods, guns and arrests felon; CHP’s eyes in the sky help nab ‘porch pirates’ with outstanding warrants, CHP Santa Cruz delivers holiday cheer to children fighting cancer; and the CHP's senior volunteers participate in a CHiPs for Kids holiday toy drive in San Jose.
The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each announcement. Click on the headlines to access accompanying assets that are available for download.
California Highway Patrol officers seized approximately three pounds of fentanyl, worth an estimated $143,000, during a traffic stop on December 17. A specialized K9 officer from the CHP’s Coastal Division, working with CHP officers from the King City Area, pulled over a driver on US-101 near San Lucas in Monterey County. During the stop, the K9, named Rae, alerted officers to possible illegal substances in the vehicle. A subsequent search uncovered the fentanyl. Officers arrested the driver, who now faces charges of possession with intent to distribute.
On December 12, the CHP’s Valley Division Warrant Service Team and the Sacramento County Auto Theft Suppression Task Force executed a residential search warrant, recovering stolen property valued at $200,000 and seizing illegal firearms. Recovered items included a 2022 Ram 1500 TRX, a 2017 Airstream travel trailer, and a 2017 utility dump trailer. Investigators also confiscated illegal firearms and several boxes of ammunition. Officers arrested a convicted felon on a no-bail felony warrant. The suspect now faces additional charges of auto theft and unlawful firearm possession.
On December 13, officers on board a CHP plane out of Golden Gate Division located a stolen vehicle in Oakland using the Flock Safety camera system. The vehicle’s occupants were caught stealing packages and tampering with mailboxes. Coordinating with ground units, CHP officers apprehended the suspects without incident. Both individuals had outstanding arrest warrants and now face additional charges related to theft.
On December 14, CHP officers from Santa Cruz, with a little help from “CHiPper,” delivered hundreds of toys to Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services, a nonprofit organization supporting children fighting cancer and their families. The toys, collected through a community donation drive, brought hope and joy to resilient families this holiday season. The Santa Cruz Area CHP thanks the community for their generosity and Walgreens for partnering in the effort.
Every year the CHP collects tens of thousands of toys for kids and teens in need. There are various drop-off locations throughout California. Last week, senior volunteers in CHP’s San Jose Area office hosted a toy drive at Marshall’s, and the turnout was a huge success. The CHP is always looking for motivated individuals, age 55 or older, who want to contribute to their community as Senior Volunteers. This is an opportunity to make a definitive contribution toward improving public Safety, Service and Security. For more information, contact your local CHP Area office, email the Senior Volunteer Program at CHP-SVP@chp.ca.gov or call (916) 843- 3210.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
###