Latest news with #SanBernardinoCounty
Fox News
16-07-2025
- Fox News
Police investigate 'suspicious disappearance' of elderly man linked to cryptocurrency fortune
An active investigation is underway in Southern California for a missing man that police are calling a "suspicious disappearance." Investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department released new information in the hopes of locating Naiping Hou, a 74-year-old resident of Rancho Cucamonga. He was reported missing by his family on May 4, 2025, according to authorities. Investigators discovered "extensive fraudulent activity" in Hou's bank accounts around the time he disappeared. Officials said his cell phone was also used by unknown individual(s) to impersonate him in communications with family members. Authorities are now suspecting he may have been abducted. Family members of Hou told KABC that they believe the incident could be connected to their financial success in the cryptocurrency industry, and are offering a $250,000 reward in hopes of securing his safe return. "I miss him dearly," said Wen Hou, referring to his father, Naiping Hou. "He's always been a guiding presence in my life." Wen Hou, who the outlet reported amassed significant wealth through cryptocurrency and previously donated $1.1 million to USC's Keck School of Medicine for heart disease research, suspects someone may have stolen his father's identity and drained over $1 million from his bank accounts. He also believes the person responsible has been pretending to be his father, using text messages to communicate with the family under false pretenses. "It's surreal to think someone could be impersonating my dad through text," Wen Hou explained. According to Wen Hou, the strange series of events may have started in January 2025, when his father was overseeing home renovations following a severe water leak. "He didn't raise any red flags at the time. We knew he was getting quotes from various contractors," Wen Hou recalled. "He was temporarily living in an apartment covered by insurance, so he wasn't hands-on with the daily construction work." After the house was repaired in March, Nai Ping joined Wen and a group of friends for a fishing trip, where everything "seemed normal," until things took a dramatic turn. "Something really bizarre is going on," Wen Hou said. "The place was completely cleared out. No people, no vehicles, not even garbage left behind." The family later learned that several of Naiping Hou's bank accounts had been emptied, with over $1 million missing. "Funds were being transferred out to purchase gold online," Wen Hou explained, adding that his father's accounts were also used to buy cryptocurrency and large gold bars. "He's not tech-savvy at all, so I don't know how he could've done any of that himself." "We're really worried, and we really want my dad back," he continued. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is asking the public for help to find Naiping Hou. He is described as an Asian male, 5'7" tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds. He has black hair, black eyes, and has a birthmark on his left upper shoulder. Additionally, investigators are seeking information about a silver Toyota Yaris in connection with Nai Ping Hou's disappearance. "There's been a significant amount of unauthorized activity in his bank accounts," Mara Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the sheriff's department told KABC. "We're deeply concerned for his well-being and focused on bringing him home safely." According to a website dedicated to the search for Naiping Hou, he is originally from China and is a husband, father, and grandfather who is semi-retired. He is said to spend his time "woodworking, playing ping pong at a local recreation center, and staying active in his community." "The Hou family has long been committed to hard work, family values, and giving back—making generous contributions to education and public safety organizations as part of their dedication to helping others," a statement on the website reads. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Vanayes Quezada, Specialized Investigations Division, at (909) 890-4848. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
CBS News
15-07-2025
- CBS News
Victorville man arrested for leaving "macabre teddy bear" at gas station, authorities say
Authorities have arrested the man who allegedly left a "macabre teddy bear" at a Victorville gas station over the weekend, prompting unnecessary calls for emergency service. They were called to the AMPM in the 13660 block of Bear Valley Road at around 12 p.m. after receiving a suspicious circumstances call, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department "Callers indicated a teddy bear made of what looked like human flesh was left in front of the business," said SBSD's statement on Monday. "Upon arriving, deputies located the teddy bear and began their investigation." Investigators took the bear into evidence, determining that it was not actually made of any human remains or skin, but rather manmade material, the statement said. On Monday, they announced that a man had been arrested in connection with the incident. Hector Corona Villanueva, 23, of Victorville, was arrested and booked for causing the report of an emergency while knowing it to be false and intentionally and wrongfully planting evidence to falsely present as real. "Incidents such as this take up valuable emergency resources and put the public at risk, possibly delaying response time to legitimate calls for service," deputies said.
Globe and Mail
14-07-2025
- Globe and Mail
Shaw 3 Law Firm, Led by Walter Shaw, Defends Families and Wins CPS Cases – Emerging Leader in San Bernardino Juvenile Dependency Law
Shaw 3 Law Firm, led by attorney Walter Shaw, is responding to the growing number of CPS cases in San Bernardino County by providing focused legal defense for parents. With deep experience in juvenile dependency law, the firm has helped families achieve reunifications, case dismissals, and protect their rights in a system where due process is often out of reach. As Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations increase across San Bernardino County, families—particularly in low-income and minority communities—are facing the risk of family separation without proper legal support. One law firm, Shaw 3 Law, is helping to change that. Led by attorney Walter Shaw, the firm has handled over 1,000 juvenile dependency cases, focusing mainly on CPS defense —a legal area often overlooked by traditional family law firms. The team has helped parents successfully challenge CPS findings, reverse emergency removals, and secure reunification with their children i n complex dependency proceedings. 'Too often, parents are navigating CPS investigations without anyone truly advocating for them,' said Shaw. 'We work to make sure their rights are protected and their voices are heard in court.' With growing concern about how the child welfare system disproportionately impacts marginalized families, Shaw has taken steps to ensure his legal practice is aligned with national standards. He recently became a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC), which provides training and certification in high-quality legal representation for all parties in child welfare cases. Systemic Issues, Local Impact San Bernardino County has one of the highest rates of child welfare involvement in California. Many families facing allegations of neglect or abuse are unfamiliar with the legal system and do not understand their rights—particularly in juvenile dependency court, where critical custody decisions are made quickly and often without thorough challenge. Shaw 3 Law Firm works with mental health experts, extended family members, and investigators to build evidence-based defenses that prevent unnecessary removals and minimize the trauma of family separation. 'We're not just helping parents navigate the legal process—we're holding agencies accountable and pushing for fairness in a system that can be opaque and overwhelming,' Shaw added. About Shaw 3 Law Firm Based in San Bernardino, Shaw 3 Law Firm focuses solely on CPS and juvenile dependency law. With local knowledge and courtroom experience, the firm offers strategic defense for parents throughout California facing child welfare investigations. Media Contact Company Name: Shaw 3 Law Firm Contact Person: Walter Shaw Email: Send Email Phone: 951-263-0412 Address: 337 N. Vineyard Ave Suite 315 City: Ontario State: California Country: United States Website:
CTV News
14-07-2025
- CTV News
Teddy bear with alleged human skin sparks investigation, seller says it was a ‘prank': report
DarkSeed Creations says its 'human skin teddy bear,' made from latex, was used in a California prank that drew media attention. (DarkSeed Creations via Etsy) The discovery of a teddy bear wrapped in what looked like human skin has sparked a police investigation in Southern California, a local news outlet reported. San Bernardino County investigators arrived outside an AMPM convenience store in Victorville, Calif., at around noon Sunday following reports of human remains, according to KTLA, which covers Los Angeles and the Southern California region, in an online article. Victorville is about a 1.5-hour drive northeast of Los Angeles. 'A coroner investigator has taken possession of the object, and the investigation is continuing,' Mara Rodriguez, a public information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, was quoted as saying in the report. The sheriff's department didn't immediately respond Monday to request for comment and more information. DarkSeed Creations, an Etsy shop specializing in horror culture and special effects, said in a Facebook post Sunday that one of its 'skin bears' was used in a prank, referring to a news report about the incident. A person posting for DarkSeed Creations said they shipped the bear to Victorville, Calif. last week and 'did not have any knowledge of the buyers (sic) intentions nor was I involved in a prank on the other side of the nation from me.'
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Grizzly discovery as teddy bear 'wrapped in human skin' found dumped in front of convenience store
A teddy bear that appeared to have been wrapped in human skin and then dumped outside a gas station in California, made for a disturbing find for customers and led to a full-scale response by sheriff's deputies and a coroner. The discovery was made just after noon on Sunday in the small town of Victorville and saw San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies dispatched to the scene just after 12:30pm after receiving a 911 call that 'human remains' had been found. The scene left customers and law enforcement stunned as deputies quickly cordoned off the parking lot with crime scene tape while stunned bystanders looked on. Photos from the scene show a teddy bear slumped outside the store entrance, isolated behind yellow tape. The object was described as having a human-like face stitched onto its head and patches of skin-like material sewn across its torso appearing grotesque, but lifelike. The coroner's investigator could be seen delicately handling the bear with gloved hands, carefully turning it over before slipping it into a pink plastic evidence bag. 'A coroner investigator has taken possession of the object, and the investigation is continuing,' Sheriff's Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez said in a statement. Although officials have yet to confirm whether the material is actually human skin, a Facebook post by an artist appeared to take credit for the item, calling it a misunderstood piece of horror art made from latex. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies were dispatched to the scene just after 12:30pm after receiving a 911 call that 'human remains' had been found 'You can't make this s*** up!' read the post on a page called DarkSeed Creations. 'One of my skin teddy bears has apparently been involved in a prank that brought police attention! This is f***** wild!' The man behind DarkSeed Creations is South Carolina-based artist Robert Kelly, who spoke to early on Monday morning. 'I'm still figuring out what is all happening,' Kelly said. 'It was just a regular order - we never expected this. We don't condone a prank that causes any illegal activity, but every artist wants credit for their work.' Kelly describes himself as the 'purveyor of the perverse... manipulator of the macabre... developer of the diabolical.' For the last 20 years, he has created 'grotesque art for the haunted attraction industry', including skin-like teddy bears and dolls intentionally designed to shock. Indeed, an item nearly identical to the Victorville bear had been spotted for sale on Etsy, advertised as a 'human skin teddy bear' crafted with synthetic materials to simulate gore. A screenshot of the $165 listing shows a disfigured bear with distorted features and fleshy textures eerily similar to the one found outside the AMPM store. Kelly confirmed that he made the bear seen in the news video and that he did in fact ship the bear to an Etsy customer in Victorville, California last week 'Yes you can still order one too.' he added. 'I did not have any knowledge of the buyers intentions nor was I involved in a prank on the other side of the nation from me.' Despite the rising possibility of a disturbing prank or artistic stunt gone awry, law enforcement is proceeding cautiously. The Sheriff's Department has not ruled out any possibilities, including whether the material could still be authentic. Authorities say forensic testing is underway, and no arrests have been made.
