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.
Possession of Loaded Firearm in Vehicle Arrest
On May 17, at approximately 6:00 pm, Ventura Police Patrol Officers responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of Cambria Street regarding two subjects in a verbal altercation and possibly armed with handguns. As officers were en route, one of the involved parties, 42-year-old Ventura resident Jose Ruiz, was seen leaving the area in a car, and an enforcement stop was initiated. Ruiz exited the car and was detained as officers investigated further.
Investigating officers searched Ruiz’s car, and a loaded unserialized semi-automatic handgun was found. Officers contacted the second involved subject, but they were unable to determine his involvement in the incident. Ruiz was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of an unserialized firearm.
Lewd Acts Upon a Child Arrest
On May 20, at approximately 1:30 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call from a parent of a 14-year-old who indicated his daughter was grabbed by a male suspect as she walked home from school.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the female juvenile was walking home from school when the suspect approached her and engaged her in conversation. As the juvenile was trying to disengage from the conversation and avoid the suspect, she was grabbed in the buttocks. The juvenile fled from the area and when she returned home, she notified her parents.
Her father returned to the location of the occurrence and located the suspect and confronted him. He notified the police, however the suspect was gone when the police arrived.
Detectives from the Special Victims Unit were assigned the case. They identified the suspect as 26-year-old Ventura resident Ashley Claxton, and he was located in front of his residence. He was taken into custody without incident and subsequently booked into Ventura County Jail for felony lewd act with a child.
There may be additional victims and anyone who has had contact with the suspect should contact the Ventura Police at 805-650-8010.
The Ventura Police Department urge community members to stay aware of their surroundings and always report suspcicious activity. Parents are also encouraged to talk to their children about walking to and from school safely.
The Ventura Police Department offers a safety video for families available on YouTube
Residential Burglary Arrest
On May 20, at approximately 8:30 pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a possible prowler at a residence on North Dunning Street. Ventura Police Patrol Officers responded, and upon arriving, they learned that the subject, 21-year-old vagrant Semaja Williams, had entered the home and could see him inside. Officers called out to Williams several times, requesting he exit; however, he did not comply with their commands.
At approximately 9:30 pm, Officers entered the residence and found that Williams barricaded himself inside a bathroom. Officers accessed the room and safely took Williams into custody. Investigating Officers determined that Williams damaged several pots and a statue in the yard and broke a window to access the residence. While inside, he burned trash, ate food, and smoked methamphetamine.
Williams was arrested for Residential Burglary, Arson, Delaying Police Officers, and Vandalism.
