HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009_10_12_09_Bennie West arrest
BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE William Rector, Chief of Police ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Detective Mary DeGeare Public
Information Officer 661-326-3803 mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us For Immediate Release October 12, 2009 On 10/12/09, the Bakersfield Police Department received information through the Secret
Witness tip line that Bennie West, was inside an apartment at 1220 Niles Street #4. At 4:30 a.m., officers surrounded the apartment and initiated a surrender call-out. West exited the
apartment and was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested on a warrant charging him with murder; four counts attempted murder, conspiracy and participation in a criminal
street gang for the murder and attempted murder in the 200 block of T Street on 7/5/09. West was also arrested for kidnapping, rape, and an additional charge of participation in a criminal
street gang for the sexual assault of a female on 3/8/09, in the 1500 block of 19th Street. Also arrested at the residence for accessory, and participation in a criminal street gang
were Sherrie Wandick 19, Whitney Wandick 21, Zukiiya Nichols 33, and Charles Williams 37. For Immediate Release Monday, August 24, 2009 The Bakersfield Police Department is requesting
the community’s assistance in locating the following suspect wanted for the murder and attempted murder in the 200 block of T Street on 7/5/09, in which Anthony Johnson was killed and
four others were injured. Bennie Elwood West (19), 6’1, 170, black hair, brown eyes. (Photos attached) West was previously wanted for questioning. There is now a warrant for West’s arrest
for murder, four counts attempted murder, conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang.
West is considered to be armed and dangerous. Two of the suspects in this case have been arrested, Darryl Stewart (20), and a 15 year old female. West is also wanted in connection with
the kidnapping and sexual assault of a female on 3/8/09, in the 1500 block of 19th Street. Original news releases follow: For Immediate Release Sunday, July 5, 2009 On 07/05/09, at about
12:34 a.m., the Bakersfield Police Department’s Communication Center received a call of a possible assault with a firearm near the intersection of First Street and “T” Street. Patrol
officers arrived on scene within a minute and located multiple victims of gunshots. The victims had all been attending a family reunion/Independence Day celebration at a residence in
the 200 block of “T” Street. Arriving officers located a total of five victims who had sustained gunshot injuries. Four were subsequently transported to local area hospitals with minor
to moderate injuries. The fifth had succumbed to his injuries and was determined to be deceased at the scene. Anthony Mack Johnson, 37 of, Jacksonville Texas, sustained multiple gunshot
wounds and died at the scene. Chrystin Johnson, the wife of the deceased, 35, also of Jacksonville Texas, sustained a moderate injury from a gunshot wound to her leg.
Cynthia Mackey, 46, of Bakersfield, sustained a minor gunshot wound to her hand. Lavar Johnson, 32, of Madera, sustained a serious gunshot wound to his abdomen. Larry Dellouette, 62,
of Los Angeles, sustained a minor gunshot wound to his foot. Investigation has determined that the assailant, described as a black male in his late teens, possibly accompanied by another
black male and a black female also in their late teens were walking south bound in the middle of the roadway in the 200 block of “T” Street. While walking past a residence, where a large
group of people were holding a family reunion, the assailant suddenly brandished a semiautomatic handgun and began to indiscriminately discharge the weapon multiple times into the crowd
striking all of the victims. The suspects then ran from the area last seen heading south bound on “T” Street approaching First Street. Gang involvement has not been confirmed but remains
a possibility. Anyone with information regarding this homicide is encouraged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111 or Detective Martin Heredia at 326-3873. For Immediate
Release May 9, 2009 The Bakersfield Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a
female which occurred during the early morning hours of 3/8/09 in the 1500 block of 19th Street. Detectives are searching for: Bennie Elwood West (19), 6’1, 170, black hair, brown eyes.
A photograph of West is listed below. On 3/8/09, at approximately 3:19 a.m. Bakersfield Police responded to the 400 block of 1st Street for a report of a possible robbery. Officers contacted
the victim, a female (26), who reported that she had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted.
The victim had just exited a downtown bar to look for an acquaintance. As she walked alone in the 1500 block of 19th Street she was approached by a subject who offered her a ride. She
declined but the subject kept walking with her. When they reached the intersection of 19th Street and Eye Street, a vehicle pulled up and the subject, walking with her, grabbed her by
the arm and forced her into the rear seat of the vehicle. The subject then got into the rear seat with her and the driver drove away. The victim was driven to the 400 block of 1st Street
where she was sexually assaulted by both subjects. After the sexual assault occurred the victim was able to grab the keys from the ignition and throw them out of the vehicle. When the
suspects went to find the keys, the victim was able to escape. She ran to a residence in the 400 block of 1st Street and asked the occupants to call 911. She provided officers with a
description of the suspect vehicle which was located in the 400 block of 1st Street. The vehicle was was still occupied by the driver. He was taken into custody without incident. The
victim was taken to Kern Medical Center for treatment. Detectives arrested: Billy Wayne Sanders (19), of Bakersfield. Sanders was arrested on charges of kidnapping, rape, robbery, conspiracy,
kidnapping with the intent to commit robbery/rape, assault with intent to commit rape, and oral copulation by force. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. Anyone with information
on this incident or the whereabouts of West is asked to call Bakersfield Police at 661-327-7111 or Detective Herman Caldas at 661-326-3556. ####