News

Man and woman jump into Kern River in attempt to avoid arrest

Add KERO as a Google Preferred Source

UPDATE (July 24, 2017): Bakersfield Police said the man who was rescued from the Kern River Monday has been arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail.

Officials said around 11:52 a.m. officers were dispatched to Rancheria Road and Highway 178 for a report of two suspects burglarizing a vehicle.

As officers arrived they observed two suspects, Ronald Valdovinos (30) and Shellena Bonales (34) hiding behind bushes near the Kern River. 

Both suspects jumped into the river to avoid apprehension and Bonales was able to grab ahold of a tree that was in the water. 

She was later rescued by the victim of the burglarized vehicle who had a kayak and safety equipment.

Valdovinos continued down river and was eventually rescued by the Bakersfield Fire Department's Search and Rescue Team. 

Both Valdovinos and Bonales were later arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail for vehicle burglary and resisting arrest. 

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111. 

-----------------------------------

A man had to be rescued from the Kern River northeast of Bakersfield Monday. 

Officials responded to the area of Highway 178, just south of Rancheria Rd. around 12:30 p.m.

Bakersfield Fire crews said the man was not far from the riverbank and was quickly rescued. 

No word on any injuries or the victim's name. 

Bakersfield, CA

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

FridayFri

11/13/2026

Light Rain Early

-° / 50°

89%

SaturdaySat

11/14/2026

Partly Cloudy

66° / 48°

4%

SundaySun

11/15/2026

Partly Cloudy

71° / 52°

11%

MondayMon

11/16/2026

Showers

59° / 48°

47%

TuesdayTue

11/17/2026

Mostly Clear

58° / 43°

3%

WednesdayWed

11/18/2026

Showers

63° / 50°

46%

ThursdayThu

11/19/2026

Showers

58° / 44°

34%

FridayFri

11/20/2026

Mostly Clear

59° / 40°

10%