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 Arrest
On December 6, 2020, Officers responded to a robbery that had occurred in the parking structure at the Pacific View Mall. In this incident, the two suspects chased the victim, The victim ran to his car and was attempting to get in his vehicle when 19 year old Ventura resident James Cruz began to fight with the victim as the other juvenile suspect acted as a lookout as the crime unfolded. Cruz forcibly removed property from the victim. The two suspects fled on foot after the robbery with the victim’s property.
An additional incident occurred on March 27, 2021, as the victim was in a parking lot in the 2000 Block of Victoria Av. The victim was talking to acquaintances when Cruz drove by, displayed a handgun, and shouted vulgarities at the victim.
Search warrants were served at the suspects’ residences by Ventura Police Detectives.
On June 30, Cruz, who was already in custody, was booked on additional charges of robbery and brandishing a firearm.
The additional juvenile suspect was arrested at his residence and booked into Ventura County Juvenile Hall for receiving stolen property stemming from the robbery.
Narcotics Arrest
On June 30, at 9:30 pm, Ventura Police Department patrol officers contacted a subject, 45 year old Ventura resident Jason Quinn in the parking lot of the 76-gas station. Quinn was displaying erratic behavior consistent with being under the influence of a controlled substance.
During the subsequent investigation, officers determined Quinn was under the influence of a controlled substance and recovered a large quantity of Fentanyl and evidence of narcotics sales on Quinn’s person and inside his vehicle.
As a result of the investigation, Quinn was arrested for under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of narcotics for sales.
A search of the Ventura County Superior Court shows that Jason Quinn has prior arrests for burglary, commercial burglary, weapons violations, conspiracy, narcotics violations including numerous arrests for narcotics sales.
Felony Assault Investigation and Arrest
On October 20, 2020, the Ventura Police Department began an investigation into an incident where a victim’s vehicle had the brake lines severed while it was parked at the Santa Clara parking structure. The victim drove away from the parking structure and the braking system of the vehicle began to fail. The victim was able to stop her vehicle before a catastrophic failure occurred.
During the investigation, it was determined that a former acquaintance of the victim, 54 year old Simi Valley resident Pedro Galindo, was responsible for severing the brake lines. A search warrant was conducted in January at Galindo’s residence in Simi Valley to seek physical evidence.
On July 1, 2021, enough information was obtained regarding the crime and an arrest warrant was issued. Ventura Police detectives located Galindo at his place of employment in Glendale and he was subsequently arrested for his outstanding warrant.
Galindo was booked into Ventura County Jail on charges of felony assault.
Robbery Arrest
On July 4, at 2:30 am, Ventura Police Patrol officers responded to a report of a robbery that had just occurred in the 1300 Block of Greenock Lane. The suspect confronted the two victims who were sitting in their parked vehicle. The suspect brandished a knife and stole watches from both victims. During the robbery, the suspect showed the victim’s a gang tattoo while also claiming to be a member of a local gang. After the robbery, the suspect fled in a dark colored sedan. The victims called 911 and followed the suspect vehicle.
Patrol officers arrived on scene and conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle around the area of Telephone Rd and Chalmette Ave. A passenger in the vehicle, 32 year old Christopher Hernandez, was identified as the suspect and placed under arrest. Officers located the knife used in the robbery and recovered the stolen watches, which were later returned to the victims.
Hernandez was arrested and booked at Ventura County Jail for Robbery (felony) and Gang Enhancement (felony).
A search of the Ventura County Superior Court website revealed Hernandez has arrests for Domestic Battery and Battery with Serious Bodily Injury.
Stolen Vehicle and Possession of Stolen Firearm Arrest
On July 7, at approximately 12:30 pm, a Ventura Police Traffic Enforcement Officer was patrolling in the area of Chestnut St. and Thompson Blvd. when he observed a stolen Mazda SUV driving in front of him. The officer initiated a traffic stop and contacted the occupants.
During the investigation, it was determined 37 year old Wyoming resident Brandi Price was driving the car, and it was stolen in Los Angeles. Price also possessed Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. She was arrested and booked in Ventura County Jail for driving a stolen vehicle, possession of controlled substances, and paraphernalia.
The passenger, 55 year old Ventura resident Joseph Martinez, also had felony warrants for possession of narcotics and a firearm. He was placed under arrest and searched. During the search officers located a loaded stolen handgun. The gun was stolen in Santa Barbara. Martinez was booked in Ventura County Jail for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of a stolen firearm, and his warrants.
Catalytic Converter Theft with Arrest
On the July 7, at approximately 4:00 pm, Ventura Police Officers were contacted in the parking lot of Lowes, 500 S. Mills road, regarding a theft of a catalytic converter from a vehicle. Investigating officers learned that two male suspects were seen under a pick-up truck using a saw to remove the catalytic converter. After removing the catalytic converter, the two males entered a vehicle and fled the area. The suspects were last seen traveling northbound on Mills Rd.
Responding officers searched the surrounding area and located the suspect vehicle on Telegraph Rd at College Drive. Officers initiated an enforcement stop, and three occupants were detained while officers conducted an investigation. During the investigation, officers located two catalytic converters and tools to remove them inside the suspect vehicle.
Abel Mendoza, 25 year old Bakersfield resident and 34 year old Bakersfield resident Jose Avelardes were arrested for possession of burglary tools, grand theft, vandalism, and conspiracy. In addition to the above charges, 31 year old Bakersfield resident Kristina Lavidas was arrested for outstanding warrants and providing false identification to a police officer.
