Santa Maria

Men robbed in separate incidents

Two men were robbed just minutes apart Friday night in north Santa Maria in separate incidents by unknown assailants, the Santa Maria Police Department reported.

At 8:21 p.m., Juan Cantu, 43, of Santa Maria, was walking home in the 300 block of North Russell Avenue when he was confronted by six Hispanic males, police said. Cantu was assaulted and robbed, and suffered minor injuries to his face that did not require medical attention, police said.

The suspects took an undisclosed amount of money and the victim’s cell phone, police reported. The assailants then reportedly fled toward Main Street.

Sixteen minutes later, Angel Reyes, 49, of Santa Maria, was walking home in the 200 block of West Agnes Avenue from a nearby store and was confronted by four Hispanic males, police said. One of the suspects had a knife, according to police.

The victim was assaulted, and his wallet was taken, but he was not injured, police said. The suspects reportedly fled in a large, blue vehicle.

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Police could not be reached Saturday to comment on whether the incidents were connected.

Any information on the incidents can be reported to Crime Stoppers at (877) 800-9100.

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Lompoc

Served warrant nets two arrests

Two Lompoc residents were arrested for suspicion of drug-related offenses Friday night at an apartment complex in the 400 block of North L St.

The Lompoc Police Department Special Enforcement Team served a narcotics-related search warrant and allegedly discovered nearly 2 ounces of methamphetamine with a street value of more than $5,000 along with drug-related paraphernalia and approximately $1,700 in cash, police said.

Arrested were Johnny Valdez, 39, for suspicion of possessing meth for sales and other related drug offenses; and Belinda McCormick, 30, for suspicion of obstructing officers and being under the influence of a controlled substance

In addition, electronic equipment including cellular telephones and laptop computers were seized as they are possibly stolen, police said

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lompoc Police Department at 736-2341 or the Crime Stoppers at (877) 800-9100.

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Santa Maria

CHP schedules free Start Smart class

Spaces are available for the California Highway Patrol’s Start Smart class Thursday. The free, one-time two-hour session addresses traffic safety issues affecting young drivers.

Topics include collision avoidance techniques, collision causing elements, driver responsibilities, local collision trends and a viewing of “Red Asphalt V,” a short film on the need to drive safely and the consequences when drivers don’t.

Anyone between the ages of 15 and 20 is invited to register for the class scheduled from 7 to

9 p.m. Thursday at the Santa Maria CHP office, 1710 N. Carlotti Drive.

For reservations or more information, call the Santa Maria CHP at 349-8728.

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San Marcos Pass

Road construction continues on Hwy. 154

From Monday through Sept. 26, construction on Highway 154 improvements at Paradise Road, Vista Point west of the Cold Spring Canyon Bridge, and east of Painted Cave Road will continue.

Paving for new turning and median acceleration lanes at Paradise Road will be completed behind a concrete barrier, however, there could be periods of one lane, reversing traffic control from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to move dirt as needed.

Work will continue at Vista Point along the westbound lanes to drill holes, place steel piles, and lag timber to complete a new retaining wall. The majority of the work will be behind a concrete barrier.

On eastbound Highway 154, east of Painted Cave Road, construction will continue on improved drainage facilities and an expanded turnout area. Reversing traffic control with intermittent lane closures will occur between 8 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday for the installation of a new drainage culvert.

Flag men will direct traffic through the work areas, and the California Highway Patrol will monitor traffic. Drivers who aren’t traveling to a destination on Highway 154 are encouraged to use Highway 101 instead.

Construction runs through summer 2009 but will not occur on weekends or holidays.

— From staff reports