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.
Vehicle Burglary and Arrest
On January 21, at approximately 2am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of vandalism to a vehicle parked to the rear of Bombay Bar and Grill, 143 S. California St. The vehicle’s owner was an employee of the bar and was able to view video surveillance footage of the parking lot. On the video, the employee saw the suspect and later identified as the suspect, 22 year old Oxnard resident Robert Camacho, breaking the driver’s window of his vehicle and entering inside. He then realized that Camacho was standing in front of the bar waiting to be picked up by an UBER service. With the assistance of the bar’s security, Camacho was detained and held until officers arrived.
During the investigation, officers learned that Camacho shattered the window of the victim’s vehicle and stole property from inside. He was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for burglary.
Attempted Robbery
On January 22, at approximately 8:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a possible robbery that had just occurred at the Meta Market, 1194 Meta St. The victim clerk reported the suspect had fled from the business.
During the investigation, officers learned that the suspect entered the business and approached the victim clerk, who was working behind the counter. The suspect had an item of clothing covering his arm and simulated that he was armed with a weapon, although no actual weapon was seen. He demanded money from the clerk. The victim clerk came out from behind the counter, at which time the suspect struck him in the head with an unknown type object. The suspect then fled the business without obtaining any money and was last seen running southbound on Hemlock St.
Officers checked the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.
The victim was treated at the scene by Ventura City Fire personnel for a minor head injury and released.
Attempted Residential Burglary and Prowling Arrest
On January 23, at approximately 12:15pm, the Ventura Police Department’s Command Center received a 911 call from a resident in the 1300 block of Swansea Ave., reporting that someone was attempting to enter his residence through a rear door. The first arriving officers detained the suspect, later identified as 47 year old vagrant Frank Mendoza, as he was leaving from the side yard of the residence.
During the investigation, officers learned the victim was home alone, when Mendoza began knocking on the front door. The victim did not answer the door. A short time later, he heard a noise coming from the back of the residence and saw Mendoza attempting to open a rear sliding door. Mendoza was still not aware the victim was home. The victim called the police and remained on the phone while officers responded.
Mendoza was transported to the Ventura County Jail and booked for attempted residential burglary and prowling.
Strong-Arm Robbery Arrest
On January 25, at 11:15am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from the victim, stating that while he was asleep inside of his vehicle, the suspect had removed his bicycle that was strapped to the back of his vehicle. When the victim woke and confronted the suspect, the suspect brandished a knife and threatened to kill the victim. The victim fearing for his safety locked himself inside his vehicle and watched as the suspect rode away on the bicycle.
Officers checked the area, and found a person matching the description of the suspect a short distance away. The suspect was in possession of a bicycle matching the description of the stolen bicycle. The victim positively identified 55 year old Ventura resident Arthur Navarro as the suspect, and the bicycle as the one taken from him.
Navarro was arrested for 211 PC, Robbery, found to be in possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia and booked at Ventura County Jail without incident for both charges.
Vandalism
On January 28, at 11pm the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of 4 juveniles wearing dark colored clothing that had just broken a window to a parked vehicle on Solano St. As officers arrived on scene, they discovered additional victims in the area. Security footage showed 4 juveniles on skateboards south on Imperial Ave. one of the juveniles stopped and used his skateboard to strike a parked vehicle, causing damage. As the juveniles continued skateboarding in the area, one of them picked up rocks and used the rocks to smash the windows to several parked cars. Officers located 5 vehicles with damage in the area.
The suspects were possibly leaving a house party in the area of Imperial Ave and Calaveras St.
Several juveniles were contacted in the area and cited for curfew violations. One juvenile was arrested for possession of brass knuckles. The subjects who vandalized the vehicles were not located.
Anyone with information about this crime or if you are an unreported victim please contact the Ventura Police Department at 339-4488. An anonymous tip can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
Commercial Burglary, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Narcotics
On January 29, at 3:38am the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from the alarm company that covers Paradise Chevrolet. Security video surveillance showed a subject on the property cutting open boxes. Officers arrived on scene and began searching the property. The suspect, Cesar Herrera, 31 vagrant saw the officers and fled, jumping over a wall to try to get away. After a short foot pursuit, Herrera was taken into custody.
During the investigation it was discovered Herrera had entered the garage areas of the dealership and had stolen keys for the vehicles. Herrera also had methamphetamine on his person as well as burglary tools. Herrera was booked at the Ventura County Jail without incident for the above charges.
