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DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
William Rector, Chief of Police
________________________________________________________________________
Contact: Detective Mary DeGeare
Public Information Officer
661-326-3803
mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us
Bennie Elwood West (19), 6’1, 170, black hair, brown eyes.
(Photos attached)
There is now a warrant for West’s arrest for murder, four counts attempted
murder, conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang.
Two of the suspects in this case have been arrested, Darryl Stewart (20), and a 15 year
old female.
West is also wanted in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a female on
3/8/09, in the 1500 block of 19th Street.
Original news releases follow:
Chrystin Johnson, the wife of the deceased, 35, also of Jacksonville Texas,
sustained a moderate injury from a gunshot wound to her leg.
Larry Dellouette, 62, of Los Angeles, sustained a minor gunshot wound to his
foot.
Investigation has determined that the assailant, described as a black male in his
late teens, possibly accompanied by another black male and a black female also
in their late teens were walking south bound in the middle of the roadway in the
200 block of “T” Street. While walking past a residence, where a large group of
people were holding a family reunion, the assailant suddenly brandished a semi-
automatic handgun and began to indiscriminately discharge the weapon multiple
times into the crowd striking all of the victims. The suspects then ran from the
area last seen heading south bound on “T” Street approaching First Street.
The victim had just exited a downtown bar to look for an acquaintance. As she
walked alone in the 1500 block of 19th Street she was approached by a subject
who offered her a ride. She declined but the subject kept walking with her.
When they reached the intersection of 19th Street and Eye Street, a vehicle
pulled up and the subject, walking with her, grabbed her by the arm and forced
her into the rear seat of the vehicle. The subject then got into the rear seat with
her and the driver drove away. The victim was driven to the 400 block of 1st
Street where she was sexually assaulted by both subjects. After the sexual
assault occurred the victim was able to grab the keys from the ignition and throw
them out of the vehicle. When the suspects went to find the keys, the victim was
able to escape. She ran to a residence in the 400 block of 1st Street and asked
the occupants to call 911.
She provided officers with a description of the suspect vehicle which was located
in the 400 block of 1st Street. The vehicle was still occupied by the driver. He
was taken into custody without incident.
Detectives arrested:
Billy Wayne Sanders (19), of Bakersfield.
Sanders was arrested on charges of kidnapping, rape, robbery, conspiracy,
kidnapping with the intent to commit robbery/rape, assault with intent to commit
rape, and oral copulation by force. He was booked into the Kern County Jail.