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.
Stolen Vehicle Recovery with Arrest
On December 16, at approximately 9:00 am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call reference a truck that had just been stolen from a parking lot in the 1800 Block of Main St. A few minutes later, a motor officer located the truck traveling west bound on Santa Clara St. at Chestnut St. Several units responded to assist and upon attempting to conduct a traffic stop, the suspect driver (later identified as 34 year old vagrant Michael Stendnitz) did not stop and continued traveling at a slow rate of speed westbound on Santa Clara St.
Stendnitz eventually drove the truck up over a curb and slowly hit a tree at Santa Clara St. and Oak St. causing minor damage. Stednitz was the sole occupant in the truck and was taken into custody without any further issues. The truck was returned to the owner and Stednitz was arrested for felony unlawful taking of a vehicle.
Armed Robbery – Update: Arrests
UPDATE: Ventura Police Detectives continued this investigation and determined that two suspects entered the store and locked the door to prevent employees from leaving. One suspect (32 year old Philip Craven) was armed with a handgun and the two suspects (Craven & 29 year old Frank Valentine) took an undisclosed amount of US currency. The third suspect (33 year old Angel Virgen) was waiting outside, in a running vehicle, for the others to exit the store. This led to detectives identifying three suspects involved in this crime. Detective arrested two of the suspects on December 15. One remains outstanding.
Philip Craven was booked into Ventura County Jail on charges of robbery, false imprisonment, conspiracy, and felon with a firearm. Craven has prior arrests for burglary, identity theft, drug charges, stolen vehicle and other misc. crimes.
Angel Virgen as booked into Ventura County Jail on charges of robbery, false imprisonment and conspiracy. Virgen has prior arrests fro forgery, identity theft, stolen vehicle, and drug charges.
The outstanding suspect is Frank Valentine. He is currently wanted in connection to this crime.
November 15, at approximately 3:15 pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a robbery at Smokers Paradise, located at 1413 S. Victoria Ave. Investigating officers learned that two suspects entered the business and one displayed a handgun at the clerk while the second suspect removed cash from the register. Upon obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the suspects left the business and got into a dark-colored sedan. The vehicle was last seen traveling northbound through the Victoria Village parking lot towards Gaviota St.
Patrol Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspects. The clerk was not injured during this incident.
Anyone with information related to this crime is asked to contact Ventura Police Major Crimes at 805-339- 4444.
Lewd Acts with Minor and Assault with Deadly Weapon Arrest
Ventura Police detectives have been investigating two crimes that led to the same suspect.
The first incident occurred on October 12, at approximately 8pm, when 19 year old Ventura resident Jacob Hooson met a 13 year old female at Montalvo Hill Park. During the encounter Hooson provided drugs to the minor which caused her to be in an altered state. Hooson, eventually, took advantage of the minor and sexually assaulted her. The two had never met prior to this occurrence. The minor reported the incident to the police and an investigation ensued.
The second incident occurred on October 16, at approximately 9:15 pm, at the Bristol Center, 6320 Bristol Rd. Officers responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the parking lot. There they found a 41 year old male suffering from a non-life threatening stab would to his leg. The investigation revealed that the the victim and Hooson were involved in an argument. Hooson was upset because he did not like seeing the victim in the area. During the altercation the victim was stabbed once in the leg. Hooson fled on foot from the location.
Both crimes were being investigated by Ventura Police detectives and they developed probable cause that Hooson was involved in both incidents. Officers were actively searching for Hooson.
On December 16, Officers responded to assist the Ventura City fire department on a subject that was uncooperative and had facial injuries. Upon arrival, officers detained Hooson and he was arrested for the two incidents. After being medically cleared for his injuries, which he claimed resulted in a fall, he was booked into Ventura County Jail.
Hooson was charged with lewd acts with a minor, furnishing narcotics to a minor and assault with a deadly weapon.
Hooson has been previously arrested for burglary and carrying a concealed weapon.
Possession for Sale and Transportation of a Controlled Substance, Carrying Concealed Dagger Arrest
On December 22 at approximately 11:00 pm, a Ventura Police Sergeant observed several vehicle code violations and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. In speaking with the driver (54 year old Ventura resident Leobardo Clune) and conducting further investigation, Clune was found to be in possession of a concealed, sheathed dagger.
The investigation continued and Clune was ultimately found in possession of a large amount of crystal methamphetamine that was individually packaged, as well as a scale and drug paraphernalia. Clune was arrested for Possession for Sales of Methamphetamine, Transportation of Methamphetamine, and Carrying a Concealed Dagger. A female passenger was cited and released on scene for an unrelated violation.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the crime should contact Ventura Police Watch Commander at (805) 339-4416.
