Jury Acquits Man of Gun Threat Charges
A Kern County jury found Charles Edward Vanworth not guilty of felony criminal threats tied to a dispute over a used Dodge Journey.
Bakersfield Crime News
Coverage of crime in Bakersfield focuses on law enforcement operations, public safety initiatives and developments within the judicial system. It accounts for investigative activity and court outcomes across the city.
Property Crime
Police Seek Suspect in Food Business Theft
Bakersfield police are asking the public for help identifying a man caught on video stealing a cash register from a pop-up food business.
Crime — General
Murder Trial for Bryson Blair to Begin in February 2027
A court has postponed the trial for a man accused of two counts of murder to February 8, 2027.
Drug Crime
Bakersfield Jury Convicts Teen in Fatal Drug Deal
A jury found Sonny Veleta guilty of second-degree murder in the 2021 shooting death of 19-year-old Cesar Joseph Malta.
Accidents
Driver Sustains Major Injuries in Westside Parkway Crash
A man was hospitalized after his vehicle veered off the road and hit a fence in Bakersfield.
Law Enforcement
Live Poll
Should your local government spend more to keep experienced police officers from leaving?
Bakersfield Police Lose Officers Faster Than Hiring
Neighboring Kern County agencies are competing for experienced Bakersfield officers with hiring bonuses and incentives.
More in Crime
Coverage takes in criminal investigations, law enforcement policies, court cases and broader public safety trends. It reaches every corner of the city and the communities around it. Differences in departmental staffing levels often influence how investigations proceed through the local courts. Public safety incidents and the subsequent legislative responses remain the most frequent drivers of this reporting.