Additional arrests made in Atascadero gang-related assault investigation
– Detectives with the Atascadero Police Department have made several additional arrests in connection with a gang-related assault and robbery that occurred Aug. 30 at the Centennial Bridge.
At about 1:40 a.m. on Aug. 30, dispatch personnel observed a fight in progress on live surveillance cameras near the bridge. Officers were dispatched and arrived within moments, prompting several people to flee. Police said the quick response likely prevented the situation from escalating and reduced the risk of serious injury.
Investigators determined the incident involved an assault with a deadly weapon — identified as a bottle — and the forcible theft of a pair of shoes. Detectives used video evidence and follow-up investigation to identify the altercation as gang-related and linked multiple participants to Atascadero.
In the weeks following the incident, detectives arrested two juveniles, and a third suspect was taken into custody after a separate gang-related fight at Atascadero High School.
On Oct. 30, Atascadero Police detectives, with assistance from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, executed search warrants in Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, and Santa Maria.
As a result, detectives arrested Vaughn Elias Whipple, 18, of Arroyo Grande, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury (245(a)(4) PC) and conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC). Kira Kaitlyn Westfall, 18, of Nipomo, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC).
Three juvenile males, ages 14, 16, and 16, were also taken into custody for their involvement. During the operations, detectives recovered gang-related evidence and other items linked to the investigation.
In total, seven arrests have been made in connection with the Aug. 30 assault, along with an eighth related arrest from the incident at Atascadero High School.
“This case demonstrates the kind of steady, behind-the-scenes work our detectives do every day,” Chief of Police Dan Suttles said. “Today’s results send a clear message, if you come to Atascadero to commit crimes, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”
The Atascadero Police Department thanked the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance with the investigation.
