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 Controlled Substance, Possession of Narcotics for Sales, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, and Child Endangerment Arrest
On May 20, at 9:30 am, members of the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit (SCU) conducted a search warrant at the above address after an ongoing investigation into narcotics and controlled substances for sales. Detectives identified 38 year old Ventura resident Rafael Hernandez as the suspect involved.
During the search warrant, detectives recovered narcotics, controlled substances, evidence of sales, and a loaded firearm inside Hernandez’s residence. There are also young children that live in the house.
As a result of the investigation, Rafael Hernandez was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for possession of methamphetamines, possession of methamphetamines for sales, possession of fentanyl for sales, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and felony child endangerment.
A search of the Ventura County Superior Court shows that Rafael Hernandez has prior convictions for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Felony Vehicle Pursuit.
Shooting
On May 25, at approximately 10:30 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of shots being heard and a male subject yelling for help in the 1000 block of South Seaward Ave.
Responding officers arrived on scene to several subjects running from the area. They also located the victim who was suffering from several shotgun wounds.
The ensuing investigation revealed that numerous subjects had occupied rooms at the motel, and many were standing outside in the parking lot. Three subjects approached the group and one armed with a shotgun fired several rounds at the victim. The suspects fled the area in a vehicle parked nearby.
The victim was struck several times and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center with non-life threating injuries. There were no other victims of the shooting.
It appears that this was not a random act and may be drug and gang related. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Bill Dolan at 805-339-4444.
Burglary/Vandalism Arrest
On May 27, at approximately 9:30 am, the Ventura Police Command Center received received a call of a subject, later identified as 54 year old Orange County resident Scott Richetts, who had forced his way into an occupied building at 896 East Main St reet. Richetts reportedly used a brick to force open a door to the building, announcing to the occupants that he was “going to jail for a really long time.” The building occupants were able to exit and notify police. Richetts remained inside and barricaded himself inside an interior room.
Responding officers made verbal contact with Richetts, who was unccoperative, refused to exit, and made suicide-by-cop statements. Ventura Police Crisis Neogtiators arrived to assist and negotiated with Richetts for nearly two hours before the situation de-escalated and he surrendered. He exited the room and was taken into custody without incident.
None of the victims, officers, or Richetts were injured during this incident.
A search of the Orange County Superior Court’s Website revealed that Richetts has a lengthy criminal history with arrests f or numerous charges, including Robbery, Burglary, Criminal Threats, Use of a Deadly Weapon, Grand Theft, Vehicle Theft, among others. Richetts is currently on Post Release Community Supervision in Orange County.
Richetts was booked at the Ventura County Jail for burglary, felony vandalism, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.
