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.
Prowling and Theft Arrest
On August 12, at 8:25 am, several residents on Woodstock Lane observed a subject, later identified as 28-year-old vagrant Trace Mullen, enter the open side yard of a home in the 900 block of their street. They watched as Mullen entered and exited the rear yard several times. The last time Mullen left, he was in possession of a mountain bike. The residents called 911 and Mullen was detained a short distance away by Patrol Task Force Officers. Mullen was still in possession of the stolen bike. The homeowner was contacted and confirmed the bike belonged to them, and Mullen did not have permission to be in the yard. Mullen was arrested for prowling and theft.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website revealed Mullen has been arrested over thirty times since 2014. His most recent charges include lewd conduct, vehicle tampering, violation of a court order, possession of drug paraphernalia, prowling and burglary.
Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Hit and Run, Resisting/Delaying a Peace Officer, Parole Violation
On August 18, at approximately 3:45 pm, Ventura Police received a call of a stolen vehicle in the 900 Block of Weber Circle. The owner had left the vehicle unlocked while working in the area and returned to find it missing. At approximately 3:45 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center began receiving several 9-1-1 calls about an erratic driver, later identified as 24 year old vagrant Jonathan Coronado, driving the stolen vehicle. The calls started in the 500 Block of Ventura Avenue and reported Coronado moving east through the city. One caller reported being rear- ended by the vehicle at the intersection of Seaward Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
A patrol officer saw the vehicle traveling on Seaward Avenue near Harbor Blvd and initiated a traffic stop. Coronado yielded at Harbor Blvd & Beachmont St but did not comply with officers’ commands. He engaged in a standoff of about 30 minutes before he was successfully taken into custody. Coronado was arrested and transported to the Ventura County Jail where he was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle, hit and run, resisting/delaying arrest, and a parole violation.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Coronado has previously been convicted of Trespassing and Resisting/Delaying a Peace Officer.
On August 18, at approximately 3:30 am, the victim was involved in an altercation with an acquaintance of his in the area of Montgomery Rd. and Telephone Rd. The suspect attacked the victim with a camping type axe causing lacerations to the victim’s legs. The suspect fled and the victim stayed in the area until he was located by a Ventura Patrol Officer who was driving by. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life- threatening injuries. Ventura Police Detectives were able to identify the suspect as 23-year-old Ventura resident Elizer Castro.
On August 19, Ventura Police detectives served a search warrant at Castro’s residence where he was taken into custody. During a search of the residence, detectives located the weapon used in the crime along with additional evidence. Castro was later booked in the Ventura County jail for assault with a deadly weapon.
On August 18, at approximately 3:30 am, a Ventura Police Patrol officer located a male subject injured as a result of an assault near the intersection of Telephone and Montgomery. Officers tended to his injuries until Fire and AMR personnel arrived.
The victim was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Due to the investigation, there is currently a delay in traffic at the intersection. The intersection is expected to be completely open within the next few hours.
This is an on-going investigation, anyone with information is asked to call Ventura Police Detectives at (805) 339-4467.
