by Cindy Summers
Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon Arrest
On October 11, at approximately 4:15pm, VPD officers responded to a report of a stabbing victim in the 3700 block of Telegraph Rd. Officers arrived and located the victim, Vincent Badilla, who had suffered several stab wounds to his leg.
The officers received information that the suspect was still in the area and he was quickly located and detained as the officers conducted their investigation.
According to statements provided by the victim and witness Badilla had entered Smooths Barbershop and became involved in a verbal argument with another patron, 43 year old Castaic resident Daniel Ortiz.
This argument continued for several minutes at which time Ortiz brandished a knife and attacked Badilla.
Badilla fled the business and was located nearby. He was then transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of serious but not life threatening injuries.
VPD Major Crimes Detectives responded to assist in the investigation as VPD CSI personnel also responded to process the scene and collect items of evidence including the knife that Diaz is suspected of using during the assault.
Ortiz was arrested and transported to the Ventura County Main Jail where he was booked on one count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a felony.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this crime is urged to call the Ventura Police Department Major Crimes at 339-4488, or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. If your information leads to an arrest, you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon Arrest
On October 14, at approximately 1:15am, the VPD Communications Center received several 911 calls from residents at an apartment complex in the 300 Block of Thompson Blvd regarding one of the residents, 35 year old Ventura resident Andres Ayala, on the third floor throwing items at people in the courtyard area. There had been two prior calls to VPD regarding noise complaints against Ayala who had been throwing objects onto his balcony, yelling and playing loud music. Ayala remained inside his apartment when officers responded and refused to come outside to talk to the officers.
On the third response, officers learned that Ayala had thrown an Elliptical exercise machine and microwave from his third story balcony onto the courtyard area of the complex. Several neighbors came outside to try to convince Ayala to stop making noise and throwing items onto the courtyard. Ayala challenged one of the neighbors to fight him and then threw a ceramic object from the third floor striking two victims on their legs (neither victim sustained any injuries). Ayala went back into his apartment before officers arrived.
Officers attempted to make contact with Ayala, but again he refused to come outside to talk to the officers. After a couple of hours, Ayala began to come out of his apartment onto his balcony and officers attempted to place Ayala under arrest. Ayala pulled away and retreated back into his apartment. Officers pursued Ayala and took him to custody without incident. Ayala was transported to Ventura County Jail and booked for assault with a deadly weapon.
Community Crime Alert –Rental Self-Storage Unit Burglaries
The Ventura Police Department is issuing a Community Crime Alert due to a high number of reported burglaries to rental units at self-storage facilities throughout the City of Ventura.
From January 1, 2016 to present date, the Ventura Police Department has responded to 45 reported burglaries from commercial self-storage units. Public Storage, located at 6435 Ventura Blvd. has reported the highest number of burglaries (22) during this time period. Extra Space Self Storage, located at 3700 Market Street has reported 8 burglaries during this time period. Entry into the storage units has primarily been made by cutting locks attached to the storage unit doors.
For those residents who have property stored in a self- storage facility in the City of Ventura, it is recommended that they inventory their property and contact the Ventura Police Department at 650-8010 if they believe they may have been a victim of a burglary or theft.
Recommendations for Renters:
- Choose a facility that has an access control system and video surveillance system which can prevent burglaries. Access control system requires renters to use individual codes, remotes or security cards to enter the facility. Self-storage managers can review records to see who is using the facility at all times, making it harder for thieves to enter.
- If you have high-value items that you are storing, place those valuables in the back of your unit. Placing these items in hard to reach places will make it more difficult for thieves who are quickly grabbing items.
- Choose a lock that will hold up against bolt cutters. Avoid using a lock with a long shackle (the loop that passes through or around the object that you are locking). Purchase a disc or cylinder lock, both of which are hard to cut with bolt cutters.
- Have items insured through homeowner’s insurance, or see if the facility offers insurance.
- Avoid going to your storage unit in the early morning or late evening hours or otherwise off-peak hours. Take someone with you whenever possibly, there is safety in numbers.
- Keep a complete inventory of everything you are storing. Take photos of the items inside your storage unit.
- Check items frequently, do not leave them unchecked for long periods of time. Perhaps check your unit when making your monthly payment.
- Be sure to give the manager a list of people who are allowed access to your unit.
