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Stolen vehicleA thief or thieves stole a Mercedes from a spot on Warren Avenue. The theft was reported 10:22pm Dec. 30.A 2000 Honda Civic was stolen from a location on Casino Real. The theft was reported 11:07am Dec. 31.Someone stole a 2009 Dodge Nitro from a spot on Cochrane Road. The vehicle owner told police the vehicle was stolen Dec. 26, 2017, but he could not report it at that time because he was in jail. The crime was reported 4:03pm Jan. 1.A thief or thieves stole a gray 2009 Toyota Camry from a spot on Jerome Street. The crime was reported 7:19am Jan. 3.Someone stole a green 1998 Honda Civic from a spot on Monterey Road. The theft was reported 8:59am Jan. 3.Auto burglarySomeone broke into a Chevrolet Suburban on West Edmundson Avenue and stole several items, including credit cards. The crime was reported 6:25pm Jan. 7.Grand theftA suspect stole three new cell phones and a watch from a store on Cochrane Road. The crime was reported 4pm Jan. 7.FraudA victim left her debit card in a machine at the Safeway gas station at Tennant Station Way, and when she returned to retrieve it she saw that someone had made a $60 purchase using the card. The crime was reported 4:11pm Jan. 7.VandalismA vandal or vandals cut the fuel line on a Budget rental truck and siphoned gas from the vehicle, which was parked at Executive Inn & Suites, 16505 Condit Road. The crime was reported 4:19pm Jan. 5.Petty theftSomeone stole a green men’s mountain bike worth about $350 from a residence on Calle Hermosa. The theft was reported 11:36am Dec. 31.A thief or thieves stole the front license plate off a Chrysler 400 parked on Berkshire Court. The crime was reported 1:13pm Dec. 31.A woman stole jewelry and other items from Hobby Lobby, 990 Cochrane Road. The theft was reported 6:06pm Jan. 2.A resident visited the Morgan Hill Police station to report her cell phone was stolen. The theft was reported 12:57pm Jan. 7.BurglarySomeone broke into a home on La Alameda Drive and stole a table, watch, bracelet and jacket from the residence. The burglary was reported 11:16am Jan. 3.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

Morgan Hill Police arrested a San Jose man this morning who is accused of scamming hundreds of dollars—or more—from employees of local businesses by telling a sad story about recent personal unfortunate circumstances that can be solved with a loan of a few dollars.After the suspect conned more than half a dozen unsuspecting strangers in this manner in recent months, Bay Area television station KSBW last week ran a series of news reports about the alleged scammer and his methods.Following the media coverage, MHPD identified the suspect as Jayson Wayne Goodrich. MHPD Sgt. Troy Hoefling said officers arrested Goodrich on a $40,000 felony warrant out of San Jose the morning of Jan. 8, as Goodrich was leaving a motel in San Jose. MHPD also booked him on suspicion of four misdemeanor counts of theft by false pretenses.Goodrich allegedly approached employees at four Morgan Hill businesses, at different times, and told his targeted victims that he had lost his wallet and his car had broken down, according to police and victims. To top it off, Goodrich would even tell the victim that his father-in-law had recently become sick. He would then ask the victims if he could borrow some cash so he could tow his vehicle, promising to return shortly to pay them back.Except he never returned each time a victim handed him the cash, according to police. Goodrich allegedly succeeded in scamming employees of GVA Café, Le Pooch Grooming, Quilts and Things and Coffee Guys in Morgan Hill, from late 2017 to the first days of January.A follow-up report on KSBW last week noted that after their initial story on Goodrich, they heard from victims in Gilroy, San Jose, Santa Clara, Hollister and other communities who claimed he scammed them in a similar way.Hoefling added that Goodrich’s fraudulent scheme spans a much larger region, highlighting the need for other victims to come forward.“Over the last six months, he has gone everywhere from Sacramento to King City doing this on a daily basis, trying to get $1,000 a day to support a drug habit, and to live on,” Hoefling said.Christina Wong, a barista at Coffee Guys, said she was working when Goodrich perpetrated the scam at the shop on East Third Street. He entered the shop looking “frazzled and confused,” and relayed the tale about his lost wallet and broken-down vehicle. He also told the coffee crew that he worked at a construction site next door. Wong said her co-worker fell for the scam, and gave Goodrich $150 of her personal money, which she expected to be reimbursed later that day.After receiving the cash at Coffee Guys, Goodrich even wrote down a name (“John Thompson”) and a fake phone number if they needed to reach him, Wong said. After Goodrich didn’t return for a while, the baristas began calling the phone number, but the suspect never answered their calls.Wong said the suspect was “totally convincing” because he presented himself as a “nice, genuine, humble” man.“It sucks for people who are nice, and trying to be a Good Samaritan,” Wong said.She didn’t remember exactly when Goodrich played the scam at Coffee Guys, but she estimated it was in late summer or early fall 2017.Anyone with information about Goodrich’s alleged crimes can contact MHPD at (669) 253-4984.

With fresh ideas and unresolved issues leaking into 2018, The Times decided to ask some of our community leaders what their resolutions or goals—both professionally and personally—are for the New Year.

Christina Turner, 41, was appointed Morgan Hill’s newest city manager in October 2017. A native of Santa Clara and a Gilroy resident since 2001, Turner is in the process of moving to Morgan Hill with her husband, Lou Zulaica, and their 15-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son.Before the five-member city council appointed Turner to her current position, she worked as Morgan Hill’s Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services. She has a strong professional background in finance and public accounting, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce in Accounting from Santa Clara University, and subsequent work with a large accounting firm and credentials as a Certified Public Accountant.“During this time, I grew familiar with the accounting, finances, and operations of Fortune 500 and high-tech companies, startups, nonprofits and the medical industry,” Turner said. “I then went into the private sector and worked for a large independent power producer in Securities Exchange Commission reporting and Financial Planning and Analysis.”Her career in public service began with the City of Gilroy in 2006, where she worked as Assistant Finance Director, and then Finance Director/Treasurer for a decade before the City of Morgan Hill hired her.Turner and her family enjoy the outdoors, and watching their teenagers play baseball, basketball, soccer and sing.Below, Turner answered a few questions from the Times about her work in Morgan Hill, and the future of the community and local public services as the city continues to grow.  What are your ultimate personal and career goals as a public servant?My goal as a public servant is for the Morgan Hill teammates and me to deliver the best possible customer service. I want residents, business owners and visitors to feel welcome when in Morgan Hill. I strive for Morgan Hill to always be a special place that provides a safe, fun and diverse community environment. I want to be approachable as a leader. I will collaborate with the council, community and teammates to carry out Morgan Hill’s vision.What do you think will be the biggest challenge for the City of Morgan Hill in the coming years?As with all cities, Morgan Hill has several fiscal challenges in the coming years. This includes replacing/maintaining critical infrastructure (primarily streets and roads), the rising costs of pensions and the escalation of other costs. To meet these demands, we need city revenues (sales tax, property tax, grants, etc.) to keep pace with the increasing expenditures.Are there any ways you plan to use your knowledge of the City of Gilroy to promote more regional cooperation on issues that impact both cities equally?Morgan Hill and Gilroy have unique opportunities to work together to achieve efficiencies. For many years, Morgan Hill has provided environmental services to Gilroy. In addition, the two cities have a joint sewer treatment plant. The cities partnered for the receipt of grant funding from the California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention Program (CalGRIP), which successfully reduced gang and youth violence.I will continue to foster the relationship between Morgan Hill and Gilroy and consider other areas where synergy can result from partnership. Discussions have commenced in other areas, including homelessness, High Speed Rail and public safety. Most recently, both cities are working together on transportation issues to ensure that South County benefits as much as possible from Measure B transportation funds. This includes expanded CalTrain service, as well as having the electrification of Caltrain to Gilroy, rather than stopping in San Jose.       Any thoughts on how to attract more jobs to Morgan Hill, where there are about 70 percent as many jobs as there are working residents (as of 2014)?Morgan Hill adopted our Economic Blueprint that aims to target specific industries for the economic vitality of our City and to create jobs for our residents. These four industry areas are innovation and advanced manufacturing, retail, tourism and healthcare. We are establishing a work plan to target companies in each of these areas. The Economic Blueprint will allow us to focus our efforts in promoting Morgan Hill as the ideal place for companies to locate. Do you think Morgan Hill will ever be able to attract a major high-tech company to set up shop in town? What are the barriers/challenges standing in the way of something like that happening?Morgan Hill is special in so many ways, including our location in Santa Clara County, with a good mix of agriculture, business and residential developments. We have a very active Economic Development team that works with and solicits commercial and industrial development in our community to add to our existing rich portfolio of businesses.We have the space and resources for a major high-tech company. Recently, we responded to the request for proposals from (online retail giant) Amazon for its second headquarters. The marketing and economic development research and preparation completed for our response will be helpful for other potential developments. Our success will depend on our ability to improve our telecommunications (and) transportation system, and provide adequate housing.There are a number of restaurant/retail spaces, a hotel and more than 100 new housing units under construction in downtown Morgan Hill. How do you see the city being able to handle the associated impacts on streets infrastructure, traffic flow and downtown public safety when all these projects are complete?Part of the fee structure for development projects includes development impact fees, which are intended to cover the projects’ incremental impact on the city’s infrastructure. These fees cover infrastructure such as sewer, water, traffic and public facilities. New development leads to additional sales tax and property tax that is used for providing operational services to the city, including public safety. The city receives gas tax based on population, that is used for the maintenance of streets.  In addition, the passage of Measure B (Santa Clara County transportation sales tax), as well as Senate Bill 1 will assist the city in road repairs. The city’s operational and capital expenditures are reviewed during the budget process and throughout the year to prioritize each of these needs.After last winter's heavy and, in some cases, devastating rains throughout the region, what has the City of Morgan Hill done to prepare for potential flooding and other rain-related impacts?Morgan Hill has an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team with individuals from all city disciplines. We meet regularly to prepare for emergencies, from earthquakes to flooding. EOC members are trained in all aspects of emergency response and recovery.All city workers are designated as City Disaster Workers and could be called upon during the event of an emergency. We have developed exit routes for citizens and periodically send out emergency reminders.We are working closely with the Santa Clara Valley Water District regarding its plans for controlling the level of Anderson Dam. Officials from the district presented plans at a recent meeting and we will continue to jointly meet.

With marijuana legal for recreational use in California as of Jan. 1, Morgan Hill police are expecting to see more of the controlled substance on local streets in the coming months. That’s despite the fact that the commercial sale, cultivation, manufacturing and transport of cannabis products remain prohibited in the city limits, at least until after the city council discusses their options at an upcoming meeting.The voter-approved state law, known as Proposition 64, allows adults age 21 and older to legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana, with or without a state-approved medical ID card, according to Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Troy Hoefling.However, local marijuana users should know that it remains illegal to smoke pot anywhere in public or on school grounds. Driving under the influence of marijuana is still prohibited statewide, Hoefling said.“You cannot use or consume marijuana in a car. You can’t have an open container of marijuana in a car,” Hoefling added.According to ballotpedia.org, Prop 64 permits marijuana smoking in private homes or in businesses licensed for on-site consumption. Prop 64 also allows each adult to grow up to six marijuana plants on private property, as long as the cultivation area is locked and not visible from public view.Cities, counties and other local jurisdictions may not regulate or limit the six-plant growth allowance under the new state law. However, the new law allows local governments—as well as the state itself—to license, regulate and tax marijuana sales. It also allows locals to license large-scale commercial cultivation operations.Under previous laws that permit the medical use, sale and growth of marijuana—and in a state regulatory environment that is generally more lenient that many other states—the City of Morgan Hill has traditionally taken the more restrictive path in comparison with some cities in the region.Currently, Morgan Hill prohibits the sale, cultivation and transport of marijuana for recreational, medical or other uses—a prohibition that is allowed by follow-up legislation approved by the state after Prop 64 passed. In July 2017, the council updated this ordinance to remove references to “medical marijuana” in response to the approval of Prop 64, and clarifies that existing local restrictions apply to both medical and recreational cannabis sales, cultivation and distribution.The council will revisit the issue and discuss their options at the Jan. 17 meeting, according to City Manager Christina Turner. This discussion will include information on what ordinances or policies other nearby cities are enacting in response to Prop 64. The staff report on that agenda item will be available on the city’s website, morganhill.ca.gov, Jan. 12.Some California cities, enticed by the promise of a flood of sales tax revenues from recreational marijuana—an industry expected to generate more than $7 billion statewide by 2020—have embraced their new ability to allow retail sales. In San Jose, which approved a licensing program for retail marijuana sales late last year, customers reportedly formed long lines outside licensed dispensaries on Jan. 1, the first day recreational sales became legal in California.The original ballot summary for Prop 64—which was approved by 57 percent of the state’s voters Nov. 8, 2016—cites “additional tax revenues ranging from high hundreds of millions of dollars to over $1 billion annually, mostly dedicated to specific purposes” resulting from the law’s passage.This economic development impact is likely one aspect of the marijuana trade that Morgan Hill officials will discuss Jan. 17. The discussion will be a follow-up to previous workshops on the change in marijuana laws that the council conducted throughout 2017. These previous discussions included public comments from marijuana opponents who fear the new law will result in more drug use and danger on the roads, and from supporters who rely on cannabis for chronic medical conditions for which they have to drive to other, more pot-friendly cities to seek treatment.The City of Morgan Hill could generate between $675,000 and $1.6 million in annual revenue if the council decides to implement a licensing and taxation program for marijuana industry businesses, according to a presentation by HdL Companies at a Sept. 27 council workshop.Other concerns and challenges related to Prop 64 that cities like Morgan Hill might face under the new law include the proximity of marijuana activities to local youth, impaired driving, continued black market sales, limited police authority to search and seize property and the growth of other crimes inspired by the cannabis trade, according to HdL’s Sept. 27 presentation in Morgan Hill.Prop 64 imposes a state excise tax of 15 percent on licensed retail sales of marijuana, as well as state cultivation taxes of $9.25 per ounce of cannabis flowers and $2.75 per ounce of leaves, according to ballotpedia.org. The law also establishes packaging, labeling, advertising and marketing standards for marijuana products; prohibits advertising marijuana to minors; and authorizes the resentencing and destruction of record for prior marijuana convictions.In Santa Clara County, 58 percent of voters voted “yes” to Prop 64, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. In Morgan Hill, 57 percent of voters said “yes” to the recreational marijuana law.

Police arrested a Morgan Hill man on New Year’s Eve who is suspected of burglarizing several vehicles and mailboxes at an apartment complex in Mountain View.About 3:35am Dec. 31, Mountain View Police responded to the 100 block of East Middlefield Road in Mountain View, after a resident called to report she had seen someone trying to break into a vehicle, according to a press release from MVPD. As officers were on their way to the scene, police received another call from a different resident reporting that another vehicle had been broken into.Officers searched the area, and located a subject who matched the description of the car break-in suspect, according to police. Officers contacted the man, later identified as Tonato Mills, 30, of Morgan Hill, at Tyrella and Flynn avenues. Mills failed to give officers a satisfactory explanation why he was in the area.During the investigation, one of MVPD’s K9 dogs connected a Honda sedan, parked at the rear gate of the East Middlegate Road complex, had recently been used by Mills, according to authorities. Police searched the vehicle, and found a bag full of burglary tools, mail from nearby residents, a pipe used to smoke drugs and methamphetamine.In the preceding days, MVPD had received numerous reports of mailbox and vehicle break-ins at the same complex, according to police. At least one resident also reported their car had been vandalized the night of Dec. 31, though it did not appear anything had been stolen from the vehicle.Police arrested Mills on suspicion of burglary, prowling, possession of burglary tools, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and violation of parole, according to MVPD. He was booked at Santa Clara County Jail.On Jan. 1, police conducted a follow-up search at Mills’ home in Morgan Hill, the MVPD press release states. Found at the home were gun ammunition—which a convicted felon is not allowed to possess—as well as allegedly stolen mail, and other stolen property from another city.

Auto burglarySomeone smashed the window of a Honda CRV on Monterey Road and stole a laptop computer. The crime was reported 3:14pm Dec. 20.A thief or thieves broke into a Ford F550 by smashing the rear side window. A saw worth about $1,000 was stolen from the vehicle. The burglary was reported 7:13am Dec. 28.Someone broke into a Toyota Prius parked on Condit Road. The break-in was reported 9:02am Dec. 25. BurglaryA burglar or burglars broke into a home on Seville Drive and opened all the family Christmas presents. The break-in was noticed by a handyman who was scheduled to perform work at the home. The worker arrived at the home and noticed the front door had been kicked in. The resident did not immediately know what was stolen from the home. The crime was reported 5:33pm Dec. 20.Petty theftSomeone stole a rear license plate from a vehicle parked on Barnell Avenue. The theft was reported 7:18pm Dec. 20.A woman left Hobby Lobby, 990 Cochrane Road, with a black bag containing merchandise she stole from the store. The crime was reported 2:07pm Dec. 22.A man and woman on bicycles stole a package from outside a home on Calle Hermosa, but the victims chased the suspects down and retrieved their property. The incident was reported 2:35pm Dec. 27.Someone stole a license plate from the front of a Ford Fusion parked on Burnett Avenue. The theft was reported 8:43am Dec. 25.Stolen vehicleA Morgan Hill resident left his vehicle at a mechanic shop in San Jose for repairs, and the vehicle was later stolen from outside the shop. The crime was reported 7:18pm Dec. 20.A thief or thieves stole a Toyota from outside a store on East Dunne Avenue while the vehicle owner went inside to make a purchase. The victim told police he left the vehicle running with the keys in the ignition while he was inside the store. The theft was reported 5:08am Dec. 22.Someone stole a multi-colored Ford F350 box van from Butterfield Self Storage, 955 Jarvis Drive. The van was decorated with the business’ name on the outside. The crime was reported 2:49pm Dec. 22.A black Ford Mustang, stolen out of San Mateo County, was abandoned in front of a residential driveway on East Edmundson Avenue. The stolen vehicle was recovered 12:45pm Dec. 23. Grand theftA thief or thieves stole about $2,500 worth of tools from the toolbox on the back of a Mazda pickup. The vehicle was parked on La Alameda Drive when the theft occurred. The crime was reported 12:49pm Dec. 23.TheftSomeone stole a wallet from a victim’s purse inside a store on Cochrane Road. The crime was reported 5:44pm Dec. 21.DisturbanceA subject who was soliciting about politics outside Nob Hill Foods, 451 Vineyard Town Center, caused a disturbance with a customer. Police were called to stand by until the argumentative solicitor left the area. The disturbance was reported 6:15pm Dec. 21. Found propertySomeone found a Samsung Galaxy 4G cell phone on Carriage Drive. The phone was reported found at 2:17pm Dec. 26.FraudA local resident lost his wallet, and later found unauthorized charges on his credit card account, including a $28 purchase from Amazon.com. The fraud was reported 3:45pm Dec. 24.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

In front of a raucous crowd that made this Dec. 21 non-league game feel more like a state championship title contest, the Live Oak girls basketball team produced a 42-37 comeback win over Sobrato in a game that lived up to its billing and then some. It’s game that neither of the Morgan Hill schools will forget, for different reasons.

On Dec. 30 at 4:26pm, officers from the Gilroy Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at Pizza Hut, on the 1100 block of First Street in Gilroy. As an employee was putting money into the business safe, a man entered the business and brandished a handgun. The suspect demanded money and the employee immediately ran to the back of the business out of fear, according to police. The suspect fled the business without the money or any property.Later that evening, a Gilroy Police officer contacted a subject matching a description of the alleged Pizza Hut robber inside a blue 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, parked near the Garlic City Club Casino on the 8600 block of San Ysidro Avenue, police said. A high-risk stop was initiated. The subject, later identified as Izaak Diaz, 24, of Gilroy, failed to comply with commands and he fled in his vehicle.Diaz led police on a high-speed pursuit through parts of Gilroy and into Hollister, according to authorities. He continued the pursuit back to U.S. 101 through Gilroy. Spike strips were successfully deployed, deflating all four tires. Diaz continued on the flattened tires until an officer brought the vehicle to a stop using a Pursuit Intervention Technique with his patrol car, on U.S. 101 near the San Martin exit. Diaz was taken into custody with the assistance of a Morgan Hill Police Department K9.Diaz was medically cleared at a local area hospital and transported to the Santa Clara County Jail, police said. Diaz was booked for attempted robbery and felony evading.This is one of several armed robberies that took place in the last week in Gilroy. The following is a summary of some recent cases, according to authorities:• On Dec. 24 at 6:52pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Best Western Park Inn hotel, on the 300 block of Leavesley Road. A man armed with a handgun entered the business and demanded money from the desk clerk. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.This suspect was described as a white male adult, approximately 20 years old, six feet tall and medium build and green eyes, police said. The suspect wore a black hooded jacket, green baseball cap.• On Dec. 26 at 9:35pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Wienerschnitzel, on the 700 block of First Street. A man entered the business and demanded money from the cashier, while displaying a handgun. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.The suspect was described as a light-skin Hispanic male, 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 150-160 pounds, with red facial hair. The suspect wore a grey jacket, blue jeans, grey beanie cap and tan colored boots, according to police.• On Dec. 28, at 9:13pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Little Caesars Pizza, located on the 1300 block of First Street. A man entered the business and demanded money from the cashier, while displaying a handgun. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet, 4 inches tall and a thin build. The suspect wore a teal hooded sweater, blue jeans, grey beanie cap and white shoes.Gilroy Police Detectives are investigating these cases. Anyone with information can call the Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350. Information can be left anonymously.