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.
Burglary and Identity Theft
On July 25, between 8am and 6pm, an unknown subject or subjects entered the victim’s home through an open window and stole property from the home, including credit cards. Later in the evening on the same day the suspect, 22 year old David Palencia, used the victim’s credit cards at multiple stores in the Pacific View Mall between 6pm and 9pm.
During the investigation, Palencia became a suspect of the use of the stolen credit cards. On July 29, Street Crimes Detectives located Palencia at the Pacific View Mall and took him into custody. Palencia had the victim’s property as well as an additional victim’s credit cards from a separate vehicle burglary that had taken place that afternoon in Santa Paula.
Based on evidence obtained during the investigation, Palencia was arrested for Residential Burglary and Identity Theft. Palencia also had an active warrant out of Los Angeles County for Residential Burglary.
The Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit would like to remind everyone to lock the windows and doors of their residences when they are not at home and to not leave property, especially purses and wallets, in their cars.
Robbery
On July 30, at approximately 10:30pm, patrol officers responded to a report of a robbery in progress at the Vons supermarket. Officers arrived on scene and contacted all involved parties. The investigation revealed, 47 year old vagrant Michael Soulas entered the store and selected several items. Soulas attempted to leave the store without paying for the items. Soulas was contacted by loss prevention and confronted about the theft. Soulas attempted to flee and was restrained by the Loss Prevention officer. Soulas resisted and attempted to stab the loss prevention officer with several sharpened pencils he was holding in his hand. The victim backed away and Soulas attempted to flee. Soulas was confronted in front of the store by several citizens who detained Soulas until Ventura Police officers arrived. The Victim/loss prevention officer was not injured during the altercation.
Soulas was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Robbery and Assault with a deadly weapon.
Burglary Arrest
On July 31, at approximately 12pm, the witness, saw an unknown male, later identified as 58 year old Timothy Johnson, standing on the side of his neighbor’s house. The witness went over to contact Johnson to find out what he was doing, and Johnson walked away towards the rear of the neighbor’s house. As the witness walked to the back of the house, he noticed a window screen was out of place. The witness continued to go into the backyard and saw Johnson walking back to the front towards Vista Del Mar. Once at Vista Del Mar Johnson began walking away from the witness towards the Pierpont Inn.
During this time the witness had called the Ventura Police Command Center, and officers were dispatched to the area. As officers arrived, they contacted Johnson and detained him. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Johnson had broken into the neighbor’s house and was found to be in possession of stolen property from the residence. He was also in possession of a concealed knife. Johnson was arrested for Felony Burglary and Felony Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.
No one was injured during this incident, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with more information about this arrest or any similar crimes in the area is asked to call the Ventura Police Department at 805-650- 8010.
Grand Theft, Theft of Trailer, Possession of Narcotics and Providing False Information Arrest
On July 30 at 630am, an unknown subject stole a trailer from a business in the 2400 block of Portola Rd. The same subject then cut a hole in the fence of an additional business in the area and stole a large amount of construction material. While reviewing the evidence collected from the scene, Ventura Police Street Crimes Detectives (SCU) were able to identify 56 year old John Hobbs as the possible suspect.
On August 1, patrol officers located Hobbs, who initially lied to officers about his name. Hobbs was ultimately identified and arrested for an active warrant and possession of illegal drugs. SCU Detectives responded, and during the interview, were able to determine where Hobbs had hidden the stolen property. The property was located and returned to the rightful owners. Hobbs was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Grand Theft, Theft of Trailer, Possession of Narcotics, Providing False Information Arrest, and his active warrant.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Hobbs has prior convictions for possession of a stolen vehicle and identity theft.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Robbery, Resisting Arrest, & Conspiracy
On August 7, at 5:30pm, officers responded to a report of a stabbing victim in the 1200 block of S. Victoria Ave. Officers found the victim, later identified as a 55-year-old male, suffering from a non-life threatening stab wound to his arm. He was immediately treated by Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel and transported to a local hospital.
During the investigation officers learned that the suspects, 23 year old Adrian Villagomez and 23 year old Athena Avila, had both attacked the victim and stole personal property. During the attack, Villagomez stabbed the victim in the arm with a knife. The suspects then fled into a nearby apartment complex and were seen entering an apartment.
Officers arrived at the apartment and confirmed that the suspects were inside. After the suspects refused orders to exit the residence, officers went inside and located them in a bedroom, and both were taken into custody. None of the officers or either suspect were injured during the arrest. Officers searched the apartment and located the victim’s stolen property inside.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Villagomez and Avila were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, conspiracy, and resisting arrest. Villagomez was additionally arrested on a felony warrant for a post release offender violation.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Villagomez has prior convictions for robbery, resisting arrest, theft, and drugs charges.
Residential Burglary Arrest
On August 8, at approximately 8:30pm, the victim of this crime returned home to find her front door open, and a window shattered. Fearing that someone might still be in the home, the victim fled to her front yard and called 911. Officers responded to the scene and made contact with the victim. While speaking with the victim, a resident whose home is attached to the victims reported hearing the sound of voices coming from the victim’s residence.
Officers, including a Ventura Police K9 unit, established a perimeter around the victim’s home. Officers made several attempts to call out anyone inside the home. The police K9 was sent into the house to search for possible intruders. Once inside the K9 located 34 year old Ventura resident Jeanette Jason, who has no affiliation to the home or the homeowner. The K9 was used to take Jason into custody. Fire and Ambulance personnel responded to treat Jason for the injuries she received during her arrest.
Jason was transported to the hospital, where she is receiving treatment for her injuries. She will be booked for residential burglary at the Ventura County Jail upon her release. Jason, according to Superior Court records, has been convicted of prior offenses including resisting arrest, theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, elder abuse, unauthorized entry into a dwelling, and burglary.
Anyone with more information about this arrest or any similar crimes in the area is asked to call the Ventura Police Department at 805-650-8010.
