BAKERSFIELD POLICE

DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
William Rector, Chief of Police
________________________________________________________________________
Contact: Detective Mary DeGeare
Public Information Officer
661-326-3803
mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us

For Immediate Release Monday, August 24, 2009

The Bakersfield Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance in locating

the following suspect wanted for the murder and attempted murder in the 200 block of T
Street on 7/5/09, in which Anthony Johnson was killed and four others were injured.

Bennie Elwood West (19), 6’1, 170, black hair, brown eyes.
(Photos attached)

West was previously wanted for questioning.

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:

For Immediate Release Sunday, July 5, 2009

On 07/05/09, at about 12:34 a.m., the Bakersfield Police Department’s

Communication Center received a call of a possible assault with a firearm near
the intersection of First Street and “T” Street. Patrol officers arrived on scene
within a minute and located multiple victims of gunshots. The victims had all
been attending a family reunion/Independence Day celebration at a residence in
the 200 block of “T” Street. Arriving officers located a total of five victims who
had sustained gunshot injuries. Four were subsequently transported to local
area hospitals with minor to moderate injuries. The fifth had succumbed to his
injuries and was determined to be deceased at the scene.

Anthony Mack Johnson, 37 of, Jacksonville Texas, sustained multiple gunshot

wounds and died at the scene.

Chrystin Johnson, the wife of the deceased, 35, also of Jacksonville Texas,
sustained a moderate injury from a gunshot wound to her leg.

Cynthia Mackey, 46, of Bakersfield, sustained a minor gunshot wound to her

hand.

Lavar Johnson, 32, of Madera, sustained a serious gunshot wound to his

abdomen.

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.

Gang involvement has not been confirmed but remains a possibility.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide is encouraged to contact the
Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111 or Detective Martin Heredia at 326-
3873.

For Immediate Release May 9, 2009

The Bakersfield Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance in

locating a suspect wanted in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault
of a female which occurred during the early morning hours of 3/8/09 in the 1500
block of 19th Street.

Detectives are searching for:

Bennie Elwood West (19), 6’1, 170, black hair, brown eyes.
A photograph of West is listed below.

On 3/8/09, at approximately 3:19 a.m. Bakersfield Police responded to the 400

block of 1st Street for a report of a possible robbery. Officers contacted the
victim, a female (26), who reported that she had been kidnapped and sexually
assaulted.

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.

The victim was taken to Kern Medical Center for treatment.

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.

Anyone with information on this incident or the whereabouts of West is asked to

call Bakersfield Police at 661-327-7111 or Detective Herman Caldas at 661-326-
3556.
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