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.
Armed Robbery
On October 21, at approximately 10:00 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call reference an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Wild Side Smoke Shop. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 20-30 years of age.
During the robbery, the suspect revealed a gun that was in his waistband to the clerk while demanding money. The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash, and the suspect fled the scene.
Patrol officers arrived at the Smoke Shop in two minutes and conducted a search with a police K9; however, the suspect was not located. No one was injured during this incident. The Ventura Police Department is actively investigating this crime. If anyone has any information about this robbery, please call (805) 650-8010.
Battery on Police Officer Arrest
Based on community complaints regarding criminal activity and quality of life issues, on October 23, at approximately 9:30 am, a Ventura Police Officer was patrolling the Ventura Beach Promenade near Paseo de Playa. The officer contacted a person who was blocking an access gate to a private apartment complex. During the contact, the suspect, 53 year old Nevada resident Lewis Lloyd, approached the officer and began to interfere with the investigation. The officer told the suspect several times to back away, or he would be arrested for interfering. The suspect refused the officer’s orders and continued to interfere by yelling at the officer and physically aggressing towards the officer. The officer attempted to place the suspect under arrest, and the suspect violently resisted and struck the officer in the face with a closed fist and kicked him.
Within a few seconds of the attack, another officer arrived to assist and was struck on the head by Lloyd. The officers wrestled the suspect to the ground, and he continued to fight. Additional officers arrived, and after a lengthy struggle, the suspect was taken into custody. As this incident unfolded, two uninvolved bystanders loudly jeered and criticized the officers.
The suspect was arrested for the following felony charges: resisting an officer by violence; battery on a police officer, and resisting an officer causing injury. The officers were treated at a local hospital for moderate injuries. Lloyd was treated for minor injuries.
Robbery and Attempt Murder Arrest
On October 24, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a robbery that had just occurred at House of Smokes, 105 South Oak Street. The reporting party stated that the suspect fired a shot while in the business and fled in a vehicle. Ventura Police Officers arrived at the business within 3 minutes of the call, obtained information about the suspect and the vehicle, and broadcasted the information to other responding officers.
At approximately 5:30 pm, a Ventura Police Patrol Corporal observed a car matching the description broadcasted by investigating officers exit the 101 Fwy at Harbor Blvd. The driver of the vehicle also matched the suspect’s description. The vehicle was followed into the Harbor Blvd parking structure, 529 E. Harbor Blvd., and an enforcement stop was initiated. The driver, 19 year old Bakersfield resident Anthony Sierra, was taken into custody without incident. As officers took custody of Sierra, an unregistered firearm was found concealed in his waistband.
During the investigation, officers learned that Sierra entered the House of Smokes, brandished a handgun at the clerk, and removed cash from the register. As Sierra was exiting the business, another employee attempted to stop him. Sierra fired one shot at the employee, nearly striking him, and then fled the area. The employees were not injured during the incident.
Sierra was arrested for attempt murder, robbery, possession of a firearm with intent to commit a felony, and possession of an illegal firearm concealed in public.
Stabbing
On October 15, at approximately 5:00 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of a stabbing in progress near W. Main St and Garden St.
Responding officers arrived on scene within one minute of the call and located the crime scene in the parking lot of 96 W. Main St. Witnesses indicated that the victim had been transported in a private vehicle.
The victim, a 34-year-old male Ventura resident, was located at the Ventura County Medical Center suffering from a single stab wound to the torso.
The investigation into this incident led to the identification of the suspect as 26-year-old Bradley Decker. An arrest warrant was issued on October 19. On that date a Ventura Police Officer located Decker on the promenade. Decker violently resisted arrest and fled from the officer into the Ventura River bottom. A search was conducted of the area, but he was not located.
On October 26, at approximately 4:00 am, patrol officers were searching encampments in the Ventura River bottom and located Decker. He was arrested without incident and transported to Ventura County Jail.
Decker was booked on felony charges of attempted murder, violently resisting a police officer, and additional charges stemming from an unrelated domestic dispute of domestic violence causing injury and false imprisonment.
Decker is being held at the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
The victim remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Shooting victim
On Nov.30, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a shooting victim outside of the Ventura Beach Club at 281 W. Main. Multiple officers responded and located a victim suffering from multiple gunshots to one of his legs. Paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment. His wounds do not appear to be life-threatening, and his status is unknown currently.
During the investigation, officers learned that approximately five males were involved in a fight in a parking lot near the club. During the altercation, one of the involved parties fired a gun at the victim. There is no suspect description at this time.
While officers were tending to the victim and conducting an initial investigation, multiple fights were occurring in the area, and patrons from the club were hostile towards officers. Deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department responded to assist.
The investigation into this shooting is ongoing. Any witnesses or persons with information about this incident are asked to contact the Ventura PD Major Crimes Unit at 805-339-4444.
