Full Notification

Between August 17, 2026, and August 23, 2026, deputies from the Colorado River Station / Needles Police conducted multiple investigations that led to the arrest of the following individuals throughout the jurisdiction of the Colorado River Sheriff’s Station:


JOHN COLLINI, 58 Years Old, Resident of Menifee, CA
On Monday, August 17, 2026, at approximately 1:46 a.m., deputies contacted JOHN COLLINI during a traffic enforcement stop near Hwy 62 and Rio Vista Drive.  During the stop, COLLINI was found to have an outstanding warrant for PC487(A)-Grand Theft and CVC10851(A)-Vehicle Theft out of Orange County.  COLLINI was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  COLLINI remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a bail amount of $100,000.00, awaiting a court hearing.

PAUL BUSTAMANTE, 55 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Monday, August 17, 2026, at approximately 7:46 a.m., deputies contacted PAUL BUSTAMANTE during a call for service reference a domestic disturbance near the 100 block of Safari Drive.  During the investigation, BUSTAMANTE was found to have two outstanding warrants for his arrest for traffic violations.  BUSTAMANTE was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  BUSTAMANTE was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

MINDY GARAY, 32 Years Old, Resident of Lake Havasu City, AZ
On Monday, August 17, 2026, at approximately 12:28 p.m., deputies contacted MINDY GARAY in the front lobby of the Colorado River Station. During the contact, GARAY was found to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest for CVC10851(A)-Vehicle Theft.  GARAY was subsequently arrested and booked into the Colorado River Station jail.  GARAY remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with no bail awaiting a court hearing. 

BURT NICHOLAS, 65 Years Old, Resident of Mohave Valley, AZ
On Monday, August 17, 2026, at approximately 9:58 p.m., deputies contacted BURT NICHOLAS during a call for service reference a disturbance near the 2400 block of Needles Hwy.  During the investigation, NICHOLAS was found to be in violation of PC647(F)-Disorderly Conduct-Public Intoxication.  NICHOLAS was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  NICHOLAS was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

TROY BLASINGAME, 23 Years Old, Resident of Bullhead City, AZ
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at approximately 7:49 a.m., deputies contacted TROY BLASINGAME during a traffic accident near Needles Hwy and Capri Rd.  During the investigation, BLASINGAME was found to be in violation of PC417-Brandishing a Firearm.  BLASINGAME was subsequently arrested, issued a citation, and released at a nearby hospital with a future court date. 

BURT NICHOLAS, 65 Years Old, Resident of Mohave Valley, AZ
On Friday, August 21, 2026, at approximately 7:04 a.m., deputies contacted BURT NICHOLAS during a call for service reference a disturbance near the 1200 block of 3rd Street.  During the investigation, NICHOLAS was found to be in violation of PC647(F)-Disorderly Conduct-Public Intoxication.  NICHOLAS was subsequently arrested and transported to a nearby medical facility for observation.  NICHOLAS was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

MICHAEL ROA, 44 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Friday, August 21, 2026, at approximately 10:07 p.m., deputies contacted MICHAEL ROA during a pedestrian check near D Street and Lillyhill Dr.  During the stop, ROA was found to have two outstanding warrants for his arrest for H&S11364-Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia and CVC12500(A)-Driving Without a License.  ROA was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  ROA remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a bail amount of $20,000.00, awaiting a court hearing.


GEORGE BRAND, 61 Years Old, Resident of Hemet, CA
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, at approximately 3:10 p.m., deputies contacted GEORGE BRAND during a marine enforcement stop near Topock Marina on the Colorado River.  During the stop, BRAND was found to be in violation of H&N655(B)-Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol and H&N655(C)-BUI with a Blood Alcohol Content over .08%.  BRAND was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  BRAND was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

OSCAR CORONA, 54 Years Old, Resident of Rancho Cucamonga, CA
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, at approximately 4:46 p.m., deputies contacted OSCAR CORONA during a marine enforcement stop near Windsor Beach on Lake Havasu.  During the stop, CORONA was found to be in violation of H&N655(B)-Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol and H&N655(C)-BUI with a Blood Alcohol Content over .08%.  CORONA was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  CORONA was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

STEVEN WARREN, 52 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, at approximately 8:05 p.m., deputies contacted STEVEN WARREN during a traffic enforcement stop near Walnut Street and Broadway Street.  During the stop, WARREN was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Orange County for his arrest for H&S11550(A)-Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance.  WARREN was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  WARREN remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a bail amount of $100,000.00, awaiting a court hearing. 

RICARDO MAREZ, 38 Years Old, Resident of Perris, CA
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 12:25 a.m., deputies contacted RICARDO MAREZ during a vehicle check near 3rd Street and H Street.  During the check, MAREZ was found to be in violation of PC182(A)(1)-Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, PC25850(A)-Carrying a Loaded Firearm, and PC32310(A)-Illegal Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine.  MAREZ was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  MAREZ remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a bail amount of $30,000.00, awaiting a court hearing. 

JESUS MAREZ, 34 Years Old, Resident of Perris, CA
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 12:25 a.m., deputies contacted JESUS MAREZ during a vehicle check near 3rd Street and H Street.  During the check, MAREZ was found to be in violation of PC182(A)(1)-Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, PC25850(A)-Carrying a Loaded Firearm, PC32310(A)-Illegal Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, PC29800(A)(1)-Felon in Possession of a Firearm and H&S11370.1(A)-Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed.  MAREZ was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  MAREZ remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a bail amount of $40,000.00, awaiting a court hearing. 

GERALD HATFIELD, 48 Years Old, Resident of Buena Park, CA
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 3:56 p.m., deputies contacted GERALD HATFIELD during a marine enforcement stop near Park Moabi channel on the Colorado River.  During the stop, HATFIELD was found to be in violation of H&N655(B)-Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol and H&N655(C)-BUI with a Blood Alcohol Content over .08%.  HATFIELD was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  HATFIELD was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

ALFRED MARIN, 42 Years Old, Resident of Moreno Valley, CA
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 6:47 p.m., deputies contacted ALFRED MARIN during a call for service reference a vandalism that just occurred near the 2100 block of W Needles Hwy. During the investigation, MARIN was found to have an outstanding warrant for PC594(B)(1)-Vandalism over $400.00.  MARIN was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  MARIN remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with no bail awaiting a court hearing. 

CHRISTOPHER OATEY, 53 Years Old, Resident of Long Beach, CA
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 10:52 p.m., deputies contacted CHRISTOPHER OATEY during a traffic enforcement stop near J Street and Civic Center Dr.  During the investigation, OATEY was found to be in violation of VC10855-Embezzling a Rented Vehicle. OATEY was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  OATEY remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a bail amount of $30,000.00, awaiting a court hearing. 

CHRISTIAN DEJESUS, 47 Years Old, Resident of Bullhead City, AZ
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 11:09 p.m., deputies contacted CHRISTIAN DEJESUS during a traffic enforcement stop near North K Street and N Bridge Road.  During the investigation, DEJESUS was found to be in violation of PC25850(A)-Carrying a Loaded Firearm. DEJESUS was also found to have an outstanding warrant for several traffic violations.  DEJESUS was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  DEJESUS remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a bail amount of $32,535.00, awaiting a court hearing. 



The necessity to cite release arrestees is a result of several law changes and voter approved propositions over the last few years. In 2011, Assembly Bill 109 was passed by the legislature. This bill sent thousands of state prisoners to local jails, resulting in county jail overcrowding. Because of lawsuits capping the county jail population, it became necessary to release county jail inmates that were once held in custody. In 2014, the California voters passed Proposition 47, referred to as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act. This proposition reduced many crimes to misdemeanors such as Grand Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Shoplifting, Forgery, Burglary, and Drug Possession. With a court mandated cap on the county jail inmate population, it is now necessary to cite release certain arrestees to adhere to the inmate population mandates.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to a proactive approach to suppressing crime in the City of Needles.  Anyone with additional information regarding these investigations or any others are urged to contact the Colorado River Sheriff’s Station at (760) 326 - 9200. Those wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call or text "REPORT" to the WE-TIP Hotline at (844) 909-3006.  You may also leave anonymous information online using the We-Tip website link at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
 

For press releases, news, and information, follow the Colorado River Station on Facebook and/or Instagram at SBCSD Colorado River Station or X at: @CORiverStation.

For all EMERGENCIES dial 9-1-1.

For non-emergencies, call the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center (909) 387- 8313. This number should be used to report a crime not in progress or to request a deputy.

Refer: Jacob Gault, Captain
Colorado River Station
Phone No: (760) 326-9200

SHANNON DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department