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.
Robbery, Assault with a Deadly Weapon
On August 18, at approximately 4pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from a caller reporting a battery that just occurred and that Pacific View Mall security officers were following the suspect. Additional information was received from an employee of Trader Joe’s that the suspect, later identified as 20 year old vagrant Araceli Aguileracastillo, was also involved in a shoplifting of alcohol from the store.
When the first officer arrived on scene, mall security officers had Aguileracastillo detained in the parking lot to the rear of the store. As the officer was speaking to her and waiting for additional officers to arrive, Aguileracastillo tried fleeing from him on foot. The officer caught her, and as he was attempting to take her into custody, she grabbed the officer’s firearm and began forcefully trying to remove the weapon from its holster.
After a further struggle on the ground, the officer was able to take Aguileracastillo into custody with the assistance of the mall security officers.
During the investigation, officers learned that Aguileracastillo was inside of Trader Joe’s when she was observed by an employee concealing several large bottles of alcohol in her clothing. The employee confronted Aguileracastillo, at which time she removed one of the bottles and attempted to hit the employee with it. Fearing for his safety, the employee allowed her to leave the store.
Residential Burglary Arrest
On August 19 at 4:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from resident in the 100 block of N. Brent Street, reporting that a subject had just attempted to gain access into his apartment and had fled the area.
During the investigation, officers learned the victim had left his residence for a brief time. Upon returning, he noticed his front door was standing open and property had been removed from the interior and was left on the porch. The victim walked to the rear of his residence to further investigate and observed a male and female running from the yard.
Officers were provided a description of the suspects as they began to search the area. Officers located a male and female who matched the suspect description a short distance from the scene. The male suspect, 26 year old Ventura resident Cameron Marrufo was detained and a search revealed he had property concealed on his person which had been taken from inside the residence.
Marrufo was placed under arrest and booked into the Ventura County Jail for burglary and possession of stolen property. Officers determined the female contacted with Marrufo was not involved in the burglary.
Stolen Vehicle Arrest
On August 18, Ventura Police officers contacted the victim of a stolen vehicle at State Beach Park located at 901 San Pedro Street.
During the investigation, officers learned the victim had left several pieces of property unattended while he exercised nearby. When he returned a short time later, he discovered a backpack containing his vehicle keys had been stolen. The victim soon realized his vehicle had also been stolen. Officers searched the area at the time but were unable to locate the suspect or vehicle.
On August 19 at 11:45am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from the victim who reported he had just observed his stolen vehicle parked in the area of Monmouth Drive and Harbor Boulevard. As officers were responding, the suspect, 36 year old Ventura resident Jamaar Smith, left the area driving north on Harbor Boulevard as the victim followed.
Smith pulled into the public parking lot located at San Jon Road and Harbor Boulevard as officers arrived. Officers conducted a high risk stop and took Smith into custody without incident. Property taken from the backpack was located inside the vehicle along with evidence linking Smith to initial theft.
Felon in Possession of a Concealed Firearm with High Capacity Magazine
On August 20 at 1:40pm, a patrol officer was patrolling the area of Thompson Boulevard and Figueroa Street, and made a traffic stop on a vehicle for a moving violation. The driver of the vehicle, 25 year old Ventura resident Nikolas Inglis was contacted and found to be on active probation with a prior felony conviction.
During a search of the vehicle, a loaded 9mm handgun was found concealed under the front passenger’s seat. It was determined that Inglis had possessed the firearm prior to being pulled over by the officer.
Inglis was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for possession of a concealed firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and possession of a high capacity magazine.
Stolen Vehicle Arrest
On August 22 at 9:25am, a Ventura Police officer noticed a suspicious vehicle in the Motel 6 parking lot that matched the description of vehicle which was recently reported stolen. While the officer was attempting to confirm the status of the vehicle, the suspect, 42 year old Ventura resident Brandon Small and two others entered the vehicle and drove away.
Officers conducted an enforcement stop as the vehicle exited the parking lot and took Small into custody without incident. Small was later booked into the Ventura County Jail for being in possession of a stolen vehicle and for an outstanding arrest warrant. A passenger, 37 year old Ventura resident Jesse Matt was also arrested and booked for outstanding arrest warrant. The third passenger was determined to not be involved and was released at the scene.
