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.
Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm Arrest
On January 14, at 9:45pm, Ventura Police patrol officers received information that 23-year-old Reymon Young, who was a guest at the hotel, was in possession of a gun. The suspect is prohibited from possessing any firearms. He also had active felony warrants out for his arrest. After several hours, patrol officers were able to make contact with the suspect in the parking lot area of the hotel and arrested him for the outstanding warrants. After the arrest, officers were able to search his room where they found and recovered the firearm. The additional charge of felon in possession of a firearm was added to his arrest.
Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, and Felon in Possession of Ammo Arrest
On November 30, at approximately 3am, an unknown suspect broke into multiple locked garages and stole a large amount of military-issued property and construction equipment. Ventura Police Patrol identified three separate victims of the burglary.
During the investigation, Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Detectives identified a suspect, 33 year old Santa Paula resident Vicente Flores, as a person involved in the crime. On January 15, SCU served a search warrant at Flores’ residence in Santa Paula and located property stolen from the burglaries. Detectives also found ammunition and narcotics during the search. Flores is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing ammunition.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Flores has been convicted of narcotics offenses, theft, forgery, burglary, vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, and felony resisting arrest.
Narcotics Arrests
On January 17 at 2pm, Ventura Police Department SCU Narcotics unit was conducting proactive enforcement in the downtown area of Ventura.
Detectives were monitoring the area using various surveillance tools. Investigators identified behavior consistent with potential narcotic sales, recognizing a habitual narcotic offender Whitney Byrd. Investigators contacted Ventura Police patrol units patrolling in the area who conducted an enforcement stop on two subjects. The two subjects were detained and arrested for narcotics-related offenses.
Robert Farrell, 41-year-old Ventura resident, was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail for possession of narcotics for sales and an outstanding warrant for narcotic sales.
Whitney Byrd, 30-year-old Ventura resident, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for possession of narcotics and booked into Ventura County Jail.
A search of the Ventura County Superior Court shows that Whitney Byrd and Robert Farrell both have numerous prior arrests and convictions for drug-related crimes, including narcotics sales.
Residential Burglary, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
Sometime between the dates of January 15-19, when the owner of the residence was not at home, an unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s house and stole property and car keys and then took the victim’s car. Ventura Police Patrol responded and placed the vehicle in the stolen vehicle system, and the Lojack system was activated.
On January 20, a Ventura Police Street Crimes Detective found the stolen vehicle utilizing the Lojack system. This detective is also a member of VenCATT. Detectives observed the suspect, 23 year old Jared Russell, enter the car and drive away. A Ventura Police Department K-9 unit assisted SCU and VenCATT in stopping the stolen vehicle and taking Russell into custody. While taking Russell into custody, the detectives located stolen property from the residential burglary as well as illegal narcotics.
Russell was arrested and transported to the Ventura County Jail, where he was booked for burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamines, and a felony warrant.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Russell has been convicted of narcotics offenses and domestic violence offenses. Russell also has multiple out of state felony warrants.
Carrying a Loaded Firearm, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition,
On January 19 at 7:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a suspicious subject loitering near a parked vehicle in the 1200 block of Conway Ave. Officers responded to the call and contacted the subject, later identified as 25-year-old Ventura resident Erik Lopez.
During the investigation, officers learned that Lopez was on probation and conducted a search of his vehicle. As a result of the search, officers found a loaded handgun concealed near the driver’s seat, ammunition, body armor and property which belonged to a state law enforcement agency that was possibly stolen. Officers also found a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
Lopez was arrested for multiple charges including carrying a loaded firearm, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, felon in possession of body armor, possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows Lopez has prior convictions for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, false imprisonment, possession of a controlled substance, and disobeying a court order.
