News Briefs News Briefs (December 22, 2004)

Police search for Menlo bank robber

Menlo Park police are searching for the man who robbed Washington Mutual bank in downtown Menlo Park on December 9, and escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

A man in his 20s walked into the bank at 650 Santa Cruz Ave., pulled out a handgun, and demanded money from a teller, said Menlo Park Police Detective Bill Massey. He escaped out the back door.

The suspect is described as white, approximately 5 foot 6 inches tall, with a medium build. He was wearing a baseball cap, a white T-shirt over a long sleeve sweatshirt, and dark pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Bill Massey at 330-6363, or the anonymous tip line at 330-6395.
Steve Poizner may sit on California PUC

Former Silicon Valley entrepreneur and recent Republican state Assembly candidate Steve Poizner lost his bid to represent the 21st Assembly district, but he may be drawing a regular paycheck from the state starting in January.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said last week that he intends to nominate Mr. Poizner, 47, to one of two upcoming vacancies on the California Public Utilities Commission, which has its headquarters in San Francisco.

Nominations must be confirmed by the state Senate. A commissioner is paid $114,191 annually.

The five-member commission represents California utility customers and regulates privately owned utility companies that provide electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunications services. Marine and rail passenger transportation are also subject to CPUC oversight.
Preliminary hearing delayed in stabbing death

The first court appearance of a Menlo Park woman charged with fatally stabbing her boyfriend has been delayed by one month because the court was unable to provide a Spanish-language interpreter.

The new court date for a preliminary hearing for Blanca Estella Rivas is January 18, said a spokeswoman for the San Mateo County district attorney's office.

Ms. Rivas, 23, is in jail after police found 21-year-old Jose Ernesto Arita dead and with several stab wounds, reportedly occurring after the two fought over Mr. Arita's having danced with another woman.

Ms. Rivas was also found seriously injured, but from self-inflicted wounds, the district attorney's office later said. -- Bay City News Service

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