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.

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.

Assault with Deadly Weapon-Hate Crime Arrest

On May 5, at approximately 10:30 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call from a victim of a stabbing who was enroute to the hospital via a private vehicle.

Officers met the victim at a local hospital and the initial investigation revealed that the victim and his girlfriend were inside a convenience store purchasing items when the suspect approached them.

The suspect confronted the victim, as he was paying for his merchandise, and told him to get out of the store and used a racial slur during the process. The clerk immediately told the suspect to leave the store and the suspect left.

The victim finished purchasing his items and left the store where he was confronted by the suspect outside. Once outside the suspect again used a racial slur and presented a knife. The victim attempted to de-escalate the situation however the suspect lunged at the victim stabbing him twice. The suspect then picked up a skateboard and struck the victim while he was incapacitated. The suspect fled on foot.

During the investigation officers located the suspect near Telephone Rd and Clinton Av. The suspect fled on foot from the officers into the neighborhood. Officers chased the suspect for over 12 minutes until he was apprehended.

The victim suffered moderate to severe injuries from the attack and was treated at Community Memorial Hospital for his injuries. One officer suffered minor injuries during the apprehension.

The suspect, 33 year old Tyler Clark, was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon, hate crime, resisting arrest, vandalism, and violation of parole.

A record check of the Ventura County Superior Court revealed that Clark has priors for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, resisting arrest, battery on emergency personnel, and many other criminal charges.

The Ventura Police Department takes any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias seriously and they are given high priority. More information about hate crimes and hate incidents can be located at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/HateCrimes

Stolen Property Arrest

On April 5, a victim in the 100 block of North Olive St. had his unlocked vehicle broken into, ransacked, and his property was taken. Detectives using investigative tools were able to find a potential person of interest, 38 year old Oxnard resident Steven Cossell.

On May 6, at 11:30 am, Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Detectives (SCU) conducted a search warrant at the above address due to an investigation into property crimes. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives located stolen property from the vehicle theft.

Investigators contacted the victim, who identified his property as being stolen. As a result, Cossell was arrested for receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia.

Michael Laser, 29 year old Oxnard resident, was arrested for flash incarceration.

A Ventura County Superior Court website review shows that Cossell has prior convictions for burglary, vehicle theft, theft, identity theft, receiving stolen property, possession of controlled substance, felony evading, under the influence of a controlled substance, hit & run, and driving under the influence.

Negligent Discharge of a Firearm, Carrying a Loaded Firearm in Public arrest

On May 6, at approximately 8:30 pm, a citizen was hiking on a trail between two neighborhoods. While the citizen was hiking, he saw a muzzle flash while also hearing a gunshot coming from below where he was hiking. He then heard a ricocheting bullet near him and fled into the adjacent neighborhood while calling 911.

Multiple Ventura PD officers responded and attempted to find the subjects involved in the shooting. They located a vehicle matching the description and contacted the occupants. One of the occupants was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm within the vehicle. That subject, 23 year old Ventura resident Manuel De La Paz, was also determined to be the subject who fired a gun in the general direction of the hiker and nearby homes.

De La Paz was arrested for Negligent Discharge of a Firearm and Carrying a Loaded Firearm in Public.

De La Paz was recently arrested by Ventura PD on 4/23/21 for Possession of a Short-Barreled Assault Rifle and also has a prior conviction for Carrying a Concealed Dagger.