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 and Assault with a Deadly Weapon Arrest
On March 9, at approximately 11:00 am, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a call of a stabbing that occurred at Plaza Park, located at 630 E. Santa Clara Street. Patrol officers were dispatched to that location and found a victim, who had sustained moderate, but non-life threatening injuries. While on scene, officers learned that the stabbing occurred during the commission of a robbery.
After conducting an investigation, officers learned that 24 year old Lindsey Moser approached Victim #1 and demanded he hand over his backpack. Moser held out a knife and threatened to stab the victim if he didn’t cooperate. Victim #1 handed over his backpack out of fear. Victim #2 observed what had transpired and attempted to intervene by grabbing onto Moser. Moser then stabbed Victim #2 with the knife, causing moderate but non-life threatening injuries. After stabbing Victim #2, Moser fled on foot towards California Street. Responding officers observed Moser walking southbound on California Street south of Thompson Boulevard. Moser was taken into custody without incident.
Victim #1 was able to retrieve his backback. Victim #2 was treated at the scene, but declined to be transported to the hospital.
Moser will be booked at the Ventura County Jail for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal threats.
Strong Armed Robbery
On March 13, at approximately 7:00 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a purse theft that had just occurred inside Ralphs, 1776 South Victoria Avenue. The suspect, described as a Hispanic male in his 20s fled the area before police arrival and was last seen running west towards Alameda St. and getting into a dark-colored Dodge sedan.
At approximately 7:30 pm, a Ventura Police Patrol Corporal located the vehicle in the 5700 Block of Thille Street. Angel Ramos, 22 year old Ventura resident, and 21 year old Ventura resident Jaynell Vargas were walking away from the car, and when ordered to stop, they fled into a nearby apartment. Patrol officers surrounded the location, and Ramos and Vargas exited the residence. They were detained while officers continued the investigation.
During the investigation, officers learned Ramos approached the first victim and removed her purse from the shopping cart she was pushing. Ramos approached the second victim and grabbed her purse that was over her shoulder. The second victim struggled to keep possession of the purse, and Ramos struck her and pushed her to the ground. Ramos took the purses, fled the store, and got into the Dodge sedan driven by Vargas.
Ventura Police Detectives obtained a search warrant for the apartment and the stolen property was located.
One victim was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries that resulted from the violence during the robbery.
Ramos was arrested for Grand Theft from a Person, Commercial Burglary, and Robbery. Vargas was arrested for Conspiring to Commit a Crime, Resisting/Delaying/Obstructing a Police Officer, and Accessory to a Crime.
Commercial Burglary Arrest
On March 15, at approximately 7:45 am, an employee of the business arrived for work and discovered the business was being burglarized. The suspect initially walked out of the business, but then went back inside. The employee called 911and officers responded.
When officers arrived, they made verbal contact with the suspect, 38 year old vagrant Jesteina Jones, who was still inside. She was uncooperative, non-responsive, and refused to surrender. After approximately 30 minutes of talking to the suspect and attempting to have her surrender, officers made entry and were able to take her into custody. The investigation revealed the suspect broke into the business overnight, ransacked several areas, and took items. At the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect was arrested for the felony charge of commercial burglary, a misdemeanor charge of delaying and obstructing officers, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. No one was injured during this incident.
Gang-Related Vandalism, Conspiracy, and Firearm Arrests
On March 15, at approximately 11:00 pm, an alert citizen reported four males committing multiple acts of spray paint vandalism at the Santa Clara parking structure. Ventura police officers responded and located the suspect vehicle driving out of the area. The vehicle was stopped, and the occupants were detained while officers investigated.
The suspects were identified as having committed multiple gang-related vandalisms with spray paint. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of multiple cans of spray paint and two loaded, unregistered handguns commonly referred to as “ghost guns.”
Ultimately 21 year old Ventura resident Christopher Cruz was arrested for Felony Vandalism, Commission of a Gang Crime, Criminal Conspiracy, and Driving a Suspended License.
Christopher Ruiz, 18 year old Ventura resident, was arrested for Felony Vandalism, Commission of a Gang Crime, Criminal Conspiracy, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Carrying a Loaded Firearm in Public, and Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person.
The juveniles were arrested for various gang-related vandalism, conspiracy, and firearm crimes as well. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information is requested to contact the VPD Watch Commander at 805-339-4416.
