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.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle Arrests

On May 4, at approximately 6:30am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Poinsettia Pavilion in the 3400 block of Foothill Rd. The caller reported seeing 3 males loitering near a vehicle and one of them was removing a license plate.

While officers were still responding to the call, a resident in the 6900 Swan St. called dispatch and reported that she just discovered her vehicle had been stolen sometime during the night. The vehicle in the suspicious vehicle call matched that of the stolen vehicle. When officers arrived on scene at the Poinsettia Pavilion, the vehicle was no longer in the parking lot.

Officers contacted the victim and learned she had the ability to track her vehicle, which was last shown to be in the area of Telephone Rd. and Ramelli Ave. Officers responded to that area and saw the vehicle pulling into an apartment complex in the 6500 Telephone Rd.

Before officers were able to initiate a traffic stop, the 17-year-old male driver stopped the vehicle and fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, the juvenile was taken into custody. He was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest and conspiracy.

The passenger, 19-year-old Oxnard resident Samuel Carranza, was quickly taken into custody. He was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and conspiracy.

On the same date, at approximately 4am, home surveillance video from residences in the area of Swan St., showed several subjects casing unlocked vehicles at the time the victim’s vehicle was stolen. The male juvenile was found to be in possession of property taken from one of those vehicles.

Threats and Brandishing a Knife in a Threatening Manner

On May 13, at approximately 9pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a brandishing that just occurred outside of Starbucks in the 1900 block of S. Victoria Ave. The victim was stopped in his vehicle waiting to exit the Starbucks parking lot, when the suspect approached his driver’s window, which was closed.

The suspect, later identified as 38-year-old vagrant Kent Carter, walked up to the victim’s vehicle and stated he was going to harm the victim. The victim did not hear him at first, so he rolled down the window to see if Carter needed something. It was at that time Carter pulled a knife out of his pocket and while making a cutting motion across his neck, he again made a threat that he was going to harm the victim. The victim sped away and immediately called 911.

Several officers responded to the call and located Carter a short distance away inside of Trader Joe’s on Victoria Ave. Officers waited for Carter to exit the store, at which time he was taken into custody without incident. After being positively identified, Carter was arrested for making threats and brandishing a knife in a threatening manner.

Assault with a Firearm, Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle, Child Endangerment

On May 16, at approximately 8am, Ventura Police patrol officers responded to a call of a shooting that had occurred in the area of the 1200 block of Nilgai Pl.

Officers located the victims who described the incident. According to the victims, the suspect, 29-year-old Ventura resident Seeb Hurtado, knocked at their residence’s front door inquiring about a vehicle. The occupants did not have any information on the vehicle and the suspect left.

The victims entered their vehicle to leave for the morning and saw the suspect in the area again. The adult female was concerned about the male’s continued presence in the area around her home. In response she drove around the area several times. When the suspect saw her and her juvenile daughter, he seemed fixated on them and their vehicle.

When the mother was driving away from the area, the suspect produced a handgun and fired it at their vehicle from a short distance away. The mother fled while calling 911. Neither victim nor the vehicle was struck by the gunfire.

Responding officers observed a subject matching the suspect’s description. When the officer went to contact the subject, he fled into a nearby barranca. The officer caught up to the suspect and detained him at gunpoint. Additional officers arrived and took the suspect into custody without incident.

Officers canvassing for a crime scene located evidence of a shooting right where the victims indicated. The suspect was identified by the victims as the shooter and he was arrested.

Detectives obtained a search warrant and the nearby residence of the suspect was searched. Further evidence of the crime and the suspect’s involvement was located.

The suspect was booked into Ventura County Jail for Assault with a firearm, Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle, and Felony Child Endangerment.

Serious Injury Hit and Run Investigation

On May 16, at approximately 11pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a hit and run collision that had occurred on Thompson Bl west of Kalorama St. Officers arrived on scene and located an unresponsive female in the roadway being tended to by citizens.

The investigation revealed that the female pedestrian was crossing the roadway northbound on Thompson Bl midblock. A vehicle traveling westbound struck the pedestrian in the roadway and fled the scene without checking on the condition of the pedestrian. Identifiable parts of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian were located at the location of the collision.

The pedestrian was treated by the Ventura City Fire Department and transported to Ventura County Medical Center where she remains in critical condition and is not expected to survive. This is an ongoing investigation and anyone who has information about this collision is asked to contact Officer Bevan at 805- 339-4447.

Fatal Traffic Collision

On May 17, at approximately 1:30am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of an injury traffic collision that just occurred on Telegraph Rd at Claremont Way.

Officers arrived on scene and located a vehicle that collided into a traffic signal pole with five occupants.

The investigation revealed that the driver was travelling eastbound on Telegraph Rd at a high rate of speed before leaving the roadway and colliding into the traffic signal pole. No other vehicles were involved in the collision. Alcohol was a contributing factor in the collision.

The five occupants, all from Fillmore, were treated on scene by the Ventura City Fire Department. The front passenger (15 year old male) had succumbed to his injuries on scene. The other four occupants were transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. The driver was in critical condition (21 year old male) and the three additional passengers (15 year old males) were in serious condition.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information about this collision is asked to call Corporal Gomez at 805-339-4474

Armed Robbery

On April 29, at 10pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from an employee of Arco AM/PM, 605 S. Mills Rd., reporting that an armed robbery had just occurred. The suspect, Hispanic Male, 20’s, wearing a Kings hat, grey sweater, black pants and a black bandanna over his face who was armed with a handgun, was last seen fleeing the business on foot in an unknown direction.

During the investigation officers learned that the suspect entered the business and approached the one employee behind the counter. The suspect brandished a gun at the employee and demanded money from the register. The employee gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash and he fled from the business.

Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect. The employee, and one customer that was inside the business at the time, were not injured as a result of this crime.

Armed Robbery Again

On April 30, at 9pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from an employee of Arco AM/PM, 605 S. Mills Rd., reporting that an armed robbery had just occurred. The suspect, Hispanic Male, 20-30’s, wearing a grey hoodie sweatshirt, black pants and a black bandanna over his face. who was armed with a handgun, was last seen fleeing the area eastbound on Main St. in a small, light colored compact sedan.

During the investigation officers learned that the suspect entered the business and approached the one employee behind the counter. The suspect brandished a gun at the employee and demanded money from the register. The employee gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash and he fled from the business.Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect. The employee was not injured as a result of this crime.

This is the second armed robbery at the same location in the last two days. At this time it is not known if both crimes are related.

Anyone with information or is a witness to this crime is asked to contact the Ventura Police Department at 339-4488.

If you have any information about this crime, you can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If your information leads to an arrest, you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.Traffic

Pursuit

On May 5, at 2:13am, a Ventura Police Corporal was driving on the 101 NB freeway to assist another officer across town. While travelling on the freeway in his marked black and white police car, a motorist passed him at 120 + MPH.

The police corporal caught up and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. As the corporal approached the vehicle on foot, the driver fled from the traffic stop at a high rate of speed.

The corporal followed and engaged in a high speed pursuit on the freeway. Eventually the driver yielded on the left side of the freeway and a high risk stop was conducted. The driver, Simon Rose 33-year-old, Camarillo resident was taken into custody without incident and booked in Ventura County Jail for 2800.2 VC Evading and 23103 VC Reckless Driving.

In order to safely complete the high risk stop, northbound traffic on the freeway was stopped for a short period with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol.

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.

Vehicle Pursuit and Arrest

On April 7, at approximately 5pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a subject that was possibly under the influence disturbing passersby on the Promenade near Paseo De Playa. As officers arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with the subject, later identified as 28 year old San Francisco resident Michael Dougherty, he ran from officers, got into a nearby parked vehicle and fled at a high rate of speed. A short time later, it was reported that the vehicle he was driving had possibly been stolen.

Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Dougherty, who was acting erratically and stopped several times in the middle of the road to yell at the officers. As Dougherty entered the Downtown area of Ventura and continued driving on several different streets, officers did not initiate a vehicle pursue because of the danger he posed to the public.

Dougherty ultimately entered Highway 101 northbound from Oak St., at which time officers initiated a vehicle pursuit. With officers pursuing him, Dougherty continued on Highway 101 at speeds ranging between 50-85 MPH. The California Highway Patrol was contacted to assist with the vehicle pursuit. As he was entering Santa Barbara County, Dougherty exited at Casitas Pass Rd. and entered back onto Highway 101 southbound towards Ventura. When he exited at the Main St. off-ramp into Ventura, the pursuit was terminated due to the continued danger Dougherty’s driving posed to the public. After terminating the vehicle pursuit, Dougherty entered back onto the Highway 101 northbound.

Approximately 10 minutes later, the California Highway Patrol started receiving 911 calls of a reckless driver on Highway 101 near Padre Juan Canyon Rd. overpass. One caller reported that Dougherty had stopped on the shoulder and fled on foot, across the highway. The California Highway Patrol and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department responded and started searching for him. He was seen a short time later near the Faria Beach Park and fled from CHP officers and deputies on foot. Dougherty entered a residence in the 4000 block of Pacific Coast Highway and taken into custody after being tased.

Officers from the Ventura Police Department responded and took custody of Dougherty. After he was medically cleared for minor injuries he sustained when running on foot, he was arrested for felony evading arrest in a vehicle, driving under the influence, and resisting arrest.

It was later determined the vehicle he was driving was taken from a relative who did not know Dougherty had taken it, therefore it was not stolen.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Dougherty plead guilty for the same charges in September of 2017, and was due to be back in court this month for additional court proceedings related to that conviction.

Stolen Vehicle Pursuit and Arrests

On April 15, at approximately 2pm, an officer was patrolling the area of Valentine Rd. and Sperry Ave., when he observed a suspicious vehicle and ran the license plate. The vehicle, which was occupied by several subjects, came back as a reported stolen vehicle out of Ventura. As the vehicle continued driving, the officer waited for additional officers to arrive before attempting to stop it. The driver, a 15-year-old male juvenile, failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued traveling on various streets in the industrial area between Market St. and Valentine Rd. and Sperry Ave., during which time the driver drove at speeds between 40-50 mph, and ran a stop sign and red light. As the vehicle was going northbound on Knoll Dr., officers deployed a spike strip in an attempt to disable the vehicle. The driver avoided hitting the spike strip and ran a stop sign. As the vehicle entered the intersection of Knoll Dr. and Valentine Rd., it collided into a vehicle that was traveling eastbound on Valentine Rd. The stolen vehicle sustained major damage from the collision and caught fire.

The 15-year-old driver and two juvenile passengers were detained at the vehicle, while two of the other passengers fled from the vehicle on foot and ran across both southbound and northbound lanes of Highway 101. Officers chased the two passengers, both 15-year-old male juveniles, and caught them on the other side of the highway after they jumped into a water culvert. The Ventura City Fire was called to help free them from the culvert.

The driver was arrested for felony evading arrest in a vehicle and driving a stolen vehicle. The two passengers who fled from the vehicle on foot were arrested for resisting arrest. The vehicle that was hit by the stolen vehicle sustained major damage. The two occupants of that vehicle were transported to VCMC with minor injuries.

The intersection was closed for approximately 1.5 hours while the Ventura Police Traffic unit conducted the accident investigation.

Possession of an Illegal Weapon

On April 18, at approximately 3:15pm, members of the Ventura Police Department SET team were in the area of the Promenade looking for a wanted subject. While looking for the suspect, they observed a male and female, 32 year old Eric Wayne Forrest and 21 year old Ashley Barreto, subjects known to them as wanted as persons in a separate investigation. They exited their vehicle and attempted to stop them.

As the detectives approached Forrest and Barreto, Forrest saw them and started to run away. As Forrest was running away, he dropped a backpack that he was carrying. It was later discovered that the backpack contained a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition. One of the detectives chased Forrest and eventually caught up to him and after a short struggle was able to take Forrest into custody. During a search of Forrest after the arrest, he was also found to be in possession of burglary tools.

Barretto remained where she was contacted; however, she did not cooperate, and she was taken to the ground and arrested. During a search of Barreto’s property, she was found to be in possession of burglary tools and drugs.

Forrest was arrested for felony possession of a sawed-off shotgun, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of burglary tools and a felon in possession of a weapon as well as misdemeanor resisting a police officer. A search of the Ventura County Superior Court shows that Forrest was arrested earlier this year for assault with a deadly weapon and felon in possession of a weapon.

Barreto was arrested for felony possession of burglary tools, identity theft and misdemeanor possession of drugs.

Robbery

On April 19, at 2:58pm, officers responded to the Vons on Telegraph to investigate a theft that had just occurred. The officers were told that Angela Brunson (11-2-1979) came into the store and began to stuff bottles of alcohol into her clothes. Loss prevention officers for the store observed Brunson stealing the alcohol and started to follow Brunson through the store. A short time later Brunson exited the store and loss prevention contacted her outside. During the contact, Brunson returned some of the items she took. However, she did not return all of the property and started to argue with the loss prevention officers.

While Brunson was arguing with the loss prevention officers, Charles Lee (1-18-1968) exited a vehicle in the parking lot and joined Brunson. Lee told the loss prevention officers that Brunson returned all the property and then started to assault the loss prevention officers. Brunson also started fighting with the loss prevention officers who immediately disengaged and let the two leave. Brunson and Lee got into the vehicle Lee had exited earlier and left the parking lot.

A short time later a motor officer was looking for the vehicle when he saw it in the area of Harbor and Peninsula. The officer made a traffic stop on the vehicle that was occupied by Brunson, Lee and a third subject who later determined not be involved in the crime.

Brunson was taken into custody and arrested for felony robbery. Lee was arrested for misdemeanor battery. Both were transported to Ventura County Jail and booked for their charges. No one was injured during the robbery at the store or the vehicle stop on Harbor.

Domestic Violence/Felon in Possession of a Loaded Gun

On April 19, at 7:21pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of subjects arguing in the area of Antelope Ln. and Llama Ct. Officers arrived on scene and located Kendric Johnson

(12-2-1985) sitting in a vehicle at that location. Officers learned that the argument was a domestic incident and that the victim had visible injuries she said were caused by Johnson. Officers arrested Johnson for domestic violence. Officers saw that there was a firearms magazine with live rounds of ammunition and a can of tear gas in plain sight in the vehicle.

A records check of Johnson revealed that he has numerous prior felony convictions including one for possession of explosives and is prohibited from possessing ammunition and tear gas. Officers recovered those items and searched the vehicle for additional prohibited items. Officers located a total of three handguns, two of which were loaded. Officers also arrested Johnson for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a loaded firearm in public, being a felon in possession of tear gas, and for misdemeanor vandalism stemming from the domestic violence incident.

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.

No April’s Fool joke

Sergeant Sam Harbert, a 28-year veteran of the Ventura Police Department, is currently on paid administrative leave following a traffic stop in response to a 37-year-old male adult who was making threats. On the morning of April 1, Sgt. Harbert stopped the man at the Ventura County Government Center on Victoria Avenue.

The man got into an altercation with Sgt. Harbert who discharged his weapon. The man was taken to Ventura County Medical Center and underwent surgery. The Sgt., who was wearing a body camera, was also taken to the Ventura County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Since the shooting occurred in the parking lot of the government center it is being investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Ventura police will also be conducting an administrative investigation into the shooting and have not released how the altercation started or how many shots were fired.

Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Arrest

On March 25 at approximately 1:45pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from a victim reporting that his vehicle had just been stolen. The victim said his vehicle was left unattended while it was being worked on at a business in the 100 block of Ventura Ave., when the suspect, later identified as 37 year old vagrant Brandon Chamberlain, got into the vehicle and fled.

A short time late, an officer responding to the call saw the vehicle as it was traveling northbound on Highway 101 and followed it onto Highway 33. Once additional officers arrived, a traffic stop was initiated. Chamberlain exited at Shell Rd. and was taken into custody without incident.

While officers were following Chamberlain, he threw a knife out of the vehicle. The knife was later recovered by officers. The vehicle was released back to the victim.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Chamberlain has prior convictions for stolen vehicle, evading arrest and driving under the influence. He is also a post release offender out of Kern County.

Attempted Murder, Assault with a Firearm, Armed Robbery Arrest

On March 25, at approximately 4:30am, patrol officers responded to report of a shooting in the area of the 400 block of East Santa Clara Street. When the first officer arrived on scene, he found the suspect, 24 year old Reuben Vaca, hiding near a planter on Santa Clara Street near California Street. As the officer made contact with him, the suspect was initially uncooperative, and he threw a handgun into nearby bushes. Additional officers arrived and assisted with detaining the suspect. The weapon was recovered.

The subsequent investigation revealed this was a robbery. The suspect had approached two vagrants living nearby, pulled a gun and demanded their property. While he was committing the robbery, a “good Samaritan” heard the commotion and not knowing it was a robbery, attempted to intervene. When he intervened, the suspect turned towards him with the gun and chased him into a nearby vehicle. The suspect began beating his fist on the window and fired 3 rounds at the “good Samaritan”. All three rounds hit the vehicle but none of them struck the victim. After firing the initial 3 rounds, the suspect then turned and fired 2 additional rounds that struck a nearby commercial building. The commercial building was uninhabited. After firing the rounds, the suspect fled on foot and was contacted by officers.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect was arrested for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, shooting at an occupied vehicle and shooting at an uninhabited building. No one was injured during this incident.

Suspicious Circumstances

On April 1 at 4:45pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 of a subject in possession of a gun at the Jack in the Box in the 2300 block of Thompson Blvd. The caller, who was a customer inside the business, reported the subject was not threatening with the gun, but said the gun could be seen concealed in his waistband.

When officers arrived on scene, the suspect fled from inside the business and officers pursued him on foot. The suspect, later identified as 27 year old Ojai resident Ronald Zirpolo, began climbing fences into the backyards of nearby residences and officers lost sight of him. A perimeter was quickly set up around the area and with the assistance of Ventura Police K9’s and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter, a yard to yard search was conducted.

After approximately 1.5 hours of searching, Zirpolo was found hiding inside the garage of a residence in the 300 block of Seaward Ave. He was taken into custody without incident. Zirpolo was found to have an injury to his hand that he sustained while fleeing from officers. He was treated at VCMC and later arrested for resisting arrest, trespassing, prowling and for being a post release offender.

Zirpolo was not found to be in possession of the gun when taken into custody. Officers continued to search backyards and found the gun. The gun was a replica firearm.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that in 2016, Zirpolo was convicted of being a felon armed with a firearm with a 2^nd strike, felon in possession of ammunition, and grand theft.

Robbery

On April 5, at approximately 9:45pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call for subjects fighting in the 1000 block of E. Santa Clara St. When officers arrived, they were contacted by a clerk from the Asian American Market and told that the suspect, 23 year old James Cobb, came into the store and selected a can of beer from out of the cooler. He went to the counter to pay for it and asked the clerk how much the beer was. When he heard the price, he began to argue with the clerk verbally. He then removed a one dollar bill from his pocket put it on the counter and left the store, not paying the full price for the beer.

The clerk followed Cobb outside the store and confronted him for the remainder of the money. Cobb stopped and attacked the clerk, and the two started fighting in the street. Eventually, Cobb broke away from the fight and threw the beer can at the clerk. He then ran south on Kalorama St. and into a residence.

The officers determined which home Cobb ran into and made contact with him at the front door. Cobb cooperated with the officers and came outside of the residence where he was arrested for the felony robbery.

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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.

Attempt Vehicle Burglary Arrest

On March 14, at approximately 3am, officers responded to a report of a person attempting to break into a vehicle in the 6000 block of Cardinal Street. When officers arrived in the area, they were initially unable to find the suspect. He had fled from the area prior to their arrival. After a lengthy search, the suspect, 35 year old Ventura resident David Williams, was located and detained. The investigation confirmed he had attempted to break into a locked vehicle. At the conclusion of the investigation, he was arrested.

Armed Robbery Arrest

Over the past several weeks, Detectives with the Special Enforcement Team and Major Crimes were able to identify 23 year old Jonathan Sabalza as the suspect in the listed armed robberies.

On March 18, at approximately 6am, Ventura Police Major Crimes, Special Enforcement Team and Street Crimes Unit Detectives, along with patrol and K9, located Sabalza hiding in an apartment in the 6300 block of Whippoorwil Street in Ventura. After a brief standoff, the suspect came out of the apartment and was arrested. During a subsequent search, the handgun used in both robberies was located.

Carjacking

On March 23, at 9am, the Ventura Police Department’s Command Center received a call of a carjacking that just occurred at the Chevron gas station in the 2500 block of E. Main St. The caller was the gas station clerk, who was calling for the victim.

Officers responded and contacted the 42-year-old male victim. He told officers he was allowing an acquaintance to drive his vehicle, when they got into an argument. The acquaintance drove into the alley to the rear of the gas station and threatened to get a weapon to harm the victim if he did not get out of the vehicle. Fearing for his safety, the victim got out of the vehicle. The acquaintance, later identified as Jeffrey Gonzalez, and a female passenger fled in the vehicle.

Approximately 2 hours later, officers were on a foot patrol in the area of Chestnut St. and Thompson Blvd., when they observed the stolen vehicle parked in a parking lot. The officers checked the vehicle and found Gonzalez sleeping inside. Gonzalez was detained and arrested without incident for carjacking.

The victim was not injured during this incident and his vehicle was returned.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Gonzalez has a prior conviction in 2016 for possession of drug paraphernalia.

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.

Carjacking, Robbery, Assault with a Firearm, and Conspiracy

On February 22, at approximately 10:45pm, the victim in this case drove his car to the downtown Ventura area meet up with a female acquaintance he met through social media.

The two spent a short amount of time together and then the female contacted an unidentified male to meet up with her and the victim. The three then drove to the area of the hills above Ventura’s City Hall.

After parking, the unidentified male drew a pistol and pointed it at the victim while giving him orders. The suspects robbed the victim of his personal property, struck with the firearm, and ordered him out of the vehicle.

The victim fled toward downtown while the suspects drove away in the victim’s vehicle. The victim located bystanders and asked for help. A bystander called Ventura Police Department was contacted and officers responded.

Officers located the victim vehicle unoccupied in the area of Howard Street and Thompson Blvd at approximately 9:30am on February 23. At that time, Officers were responding to the area of Weber circle in Ventura for an armed robbery with a gun that just occurred. Officers arrived on scene and searched for the suspects but were unable to locate them.

The suspect description in the robbery matched the description given by the victims during the carjacking the night before. Detectives responded to assist in the investigation. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspects’ residence and attempted to serve the warrant with patrol officers at the Weber address. The suspects, 18-year-old Ventura resident Brisa Sotello Torres and 18 year old Ventura resident Joe Rodriguez, refused to come out of the residence and the Ventura Police SWAT team was activated.

After lengthy negotiations with the VPD Crisis Negotiations Team both suspects surrendered without incident.

Torres was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Carjacking, Armed Robbery, Assault with a deadly weapon, and Conspiracy to commit a crime.

Rodriguez was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Armed Robbery, Assault with a deadly weapon, and Conspiracy to commit a crime.

Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance

On February 25 at 2:45pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a possible residential burglary in progress at a residence in the 700 block of Temple St. The victim resident was not home at the time, but reported seeing a subject, later identified as 27 year old Ventura resident Christopher Diaz, on a security camera in the backyard of the residence. Diaz was a relative of the homeowner, but did not did not have permission to be on the property. Officers responded to call and detained Diaz as he tried hiding from officers in the backyard.

Using a Ventura Police K-9, officers searched Diaz’s vehicle, which was parked to the front of the residence. The K-9, Bolt, altered to narcotics being inside. During a search of the vehicle’s interior, officers located a large quantity of methamphetamine, heroin, and oxycodone. It was determined Diaz was in possession of the narcotics for the purposes of sales.

Diaz was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sales. He was not charged for prowling at the residence.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Diaz has an open case for an arrest on 02/19/19, for the charges of possession for sale of a controlled substance. He is currently out on bail for that arrest. Additionally, it showed Diaz has a prior conviction in 2017 and 2016 for possession of a controlled substance and for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Domestic Dispute, Assault with a Deadly Weapon

On February 28, at approximately 8:15pm, Ventura Police Patrol officers responded to a call of a physical domestic disturbance in the parking lot of Tommy Burgers. As officers were responding to the call, they were given additional information that the suspect, 44-year-old Andrew Chavez, used his vehicle to back up into the victim purposefully. When officers arrived, they contacted the victim and learned that Chavez had left the scene.

Continuing the investigation officers went to Chavez’s home located in Oxnard to contact him. As they were arriving at his home, they saw Chavez driving away from his home. The officers turned around and caught up to Chavez and attempted to make a traffic stop on him. Chavez refused to stop, and a pursuit was started. After a short pursuit, Chavez pulled over in the parking lot of the gas station located at 2201 Gonzalez Rd.

As the officers were contacting Chavez to take him into custody, he began to resist them, and there was a brief struggle. During the struggle, Chavez received minor scratches to his forehead.

The victim refused medical treatment on scene, and no officers were injured during the arrest. Chavez was arrested for felony Domestic Violence, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon as well as misdemeanor evading and resisting arrest.

Arrest for Transportation and Sales of Methamphetamine and Heroin

The Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit concluded an ongoing investigation on 49-year-old Ventura resident Ernesto Macias for sales of both methamphetamine and heroin in Ventura. On March 8 at 12pm, detectives stopped Macias while driving in the area of Ralston St and Johnson Dr. During the traffic stop detectives located about an ounce of heroin packaged for sales and cash from recent narcotic sales. Detectives served search warrants on Macias’ home and his vehicles and located more illegal drugs and evidence. It was discovered that the heroin Macias was selling is laced with fentanyl, a very potent synthetic opiate which has been responsible for a significant amount of drug overdoses in Ventura County.

At the conclusion of the investigation, detectives seized over a pound of methamphetamine and half a pound of fentanyl laced heroin along with thousands of dollars in proceeds from narcotic sales. It was discovered Macias has been selling drugs throughout Ventura County. Macias was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and heroin for sales and transportation of narcotics for sales. He was booked at the Ventura County Jail.

Arrest for Transportation and Sales of Methamphetamine

Ventura Police Department Patrol officer conducted a traffic stop in the 6000 block of Bristol Rd. During the investigation, VPD K9 “Jag” was used for a search for contraband and he alerted on the vehicle. During a search officers located over 6 pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of dollars in proceeds from illegal drug sales.

The suspect, 33-year-old Cesar Herrera, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine for sales and transportation. He was booked at the Ventura County Jail.

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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.

Vandalism Arrests

On February 9, at approximately 4:45pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from a security guard who reported that he caught two subjects in the process of spray painting the side of a building at 2975 Johnson Dr., the former Toys R Us. The security guard said the two subjects fled from the area on foot, although a vehicle that possibly belonged to them was still parked near the building.

Officers responded to the scene and upon arrival observed two subjects, later identified as 22 year old Oxnard resident Edgar Cardenas and 23 year old Ventura resident Victor Rivas, walking a short distance away and detained them. Cardenas and Rivas matched the description of the two subjects given to dispatch by the security guard.

During a search of Cardenas and Rivas, officers found them to be in possession of graffiti tools and there was physical evidence that indicated they had recently been using spray paint. Inside the vehicle, which belonged to Cardenas, officers found additional evidence showing them to be involved in the vandalism.

Both were arrested for felony vandalism for causing more than $400 in damage, possession of graffiti tools and conspiracy to commit vandalism. Rivas had an additional charge of being in possession of a controlled substance.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Cardenas has a prior conviction in 2017 for carrying a loaded firearm. Rivas did not show to have any prior convictions.

The public can report damage from graffiti by leaving a message on the City of Ventura’s Graffiti Removal Hotline number at 654-7805.

Vehicle Pursuit and Arrest

On February 15, at approximately 12:45pm, Ventura Police detectives received information from detectives with VenCATT (Ventura County Combined Auto Theft Task Force) of a stolen vehicle in the area of Mills Road and Main Street in the city of Ventura. Detectives with the Ventura Police Street Crimes Unit located the vehicle in the area and requested patrol officers to help stop the vehicle.

The suspect, 25 year old Camarillo resident Daniel Cantero, entered the 101 freeway south towards Oxnard and exited at Ventura Road in Oxnard. While on the off-ramp Ventura PD patrol officers caught up to the vehicle. The Officers attempted a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle near the Collection in Oxnard. Instead of stopping the suspect led officers on a vehicle pursuit that ended at the corner of Forest Park Blvd. and Vineyard Ave. At that point, Cantero ran from the vehicle and led officers on a brief foot pursuit ending with the Cantero being caught. Neither Cantero nor the officers were injured during the incident.

Cantero was arrested for Felony evading arrest in a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Cantero was arrested 14 times in 2018 for several theft and drug-related charges.

Residential Burglary Arrest

On February 16, at approximately 12:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of an interrupted residential burglary that just occurred at an apartment in the 6600 block of Thille St. The victim arrived home and when he entered the apartment, confronted the suspect who had entered the apartment by forcing open a locked window. The suspect, later identified as 24 year old Ventura resident John Pritchard, was known to the victim as the relative of a roommate, but knew that Pritchard did not have permission to be inside the apartment. Pritchard fled from the apartment on foot.

Officers responding to the call saw Pritchard on foot several blocks away and detained him. He was found to be in possession of property taken from the apartment. Pritchard was positively identified and arrested.

Pritchard was arrested for burglary. No one was injured as a result of this incident.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Pritchard has prior arrests in 2019 and 2017 for narcotics, which resulted in a pretrial diversion in accordance with Prop 47, and a conviction for petty theft in 2017.

Sexual Assault and Burglary

On February 16, at approximately 1:30am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from an adult female reporting that she had just been sexually assaulted inside her residence in the 500 block of Howard St. The suspect, later identified as 33 year old Oxnard resident Omar Velazquez-Lara, who was known to the victim had entered the residence through an unlocked door and fled after assaulting the victim. He also made threats towards the victim. Officers checked the area, but were unable to locate him.

Detectives received information that Velazquez-Lara was going to the Ventura Harbor with plans to meet with the victim. Detectives observed his vehicle in the 1500 block of Spinnaker Dr. and conducted a traffic stop. Velazquez-Lara was taken into custody without incident.

After being taken to the Ventura Police Department, Velazquez-Lara was arrested for forcible rape, burglary and dissuading a victim.

Arrest for Manufacturing Heroin, Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance, and Maintaining a Place for Illegal Drugs Use.

On February 19, at 2:45am, officers conducted proactive foot patrols in the 3300 block of E. Main St. During this time they saw a male, later identified as 27 year old Christopher Diaz, acting suspicious and trying to hide from them in an alley. Officers contacted Diaz and detained him.

During the investigation that followed it was determined Diaz had a room at a local motel which he was using to manufacture larger quantities of heroin. It was further established that he possessed the illegal drugs for future sales. Additionally, Diaz was allowing others in his room to engage in the unlawful use of controlled substances. Diaz was arrested for the above charges and booked in Ventura County Jail.

Arson Arrest

On November 29, 2018 at approximately 5:25 pm, a fire was reported in a storage room at Target located at 245 S. Mills Rd, Ventura. The suspect was captured on video surveillance leaving the storage room shortly before the fire alarm and fire sprinkler system was activated. Ventura City Fire Arson Investigators responded, and determined the fire was incendiary by nature. The estimated damage to the property was over $100,000.00.

During the course of the investigation major crimes detectives identified the suspect as 46 year old Donnie Jenkins. On February 22, Jenkins was located in the 4200 block of Main St. where he was arrested for the charge of arson.

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.

Stolen Vehicle and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Gun

On February 5, at 7:40pm , patrol officers responded to a suspicious vehicle parked in the 1600 block of Walter Street. When officers arrived, they discovered the vehicle was reported as stolen and was occupied. The suspect, Nicholas Gebber (25), was detained and a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a handgun with an obliterated serial number, stolen property and a methamphetamine smoking pipe. The suspect is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Gebber was booked for possessing a stolen vehicle, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. A review of the Ventura County Superior Court Website revealed he has been arrested 14 times since 2015. The listed charges include drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, prowling, burglary and possession of stolen vehicles.

Armed Robbery

On February 6, at about 6:26 pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of an armed robbery at the Subway Restaurant located at 4624 Telephone Road in the City of Ventura. The caller stated that the suspect had a gun with him and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect fled with an unknown amount of cash.

Ventura Police Department patrol officers arrived on scene shortly after receiving the call. Officers saw a subject possibly matching the description of the suspect walking southbound on Telephone Road near

Transport Street. As the officers attempted to contact the suspect, he fled by running southbound through the commercial area and eventually ran into the orchard located south of Transport Street and west of Telephone Road. The suspect dropped a bag containing an assault rifle, a loaded magazine for the assault rifle, cash, and some items of clothing.

Officers set up a perimeter around the orchard and began a search for the suspect. Multiple Ventura Police Department K-9’s were conducting a training exercise nearby and were able to respond to the orchard within a few minutes. One of the K-9’s was used to conduct a track of the suspect from his last known location. The K-9 led the officers directly to the suspect, who was hiding in a tree in the orchard. The suspect did not immediately respond to the orders of the officers, so the K-9 was used to assist in the apprehension. The suspect received minor injuries during the apprehension.

The suspect, later identified as Eugene Hernandez (43 unknown residence) , had a felony warrant out of San Bernardino County for a parole violation. In addition to his warrant, Hernandez will be charged with robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a high capacity magazine, possession of an assault rifle, and resisting arrest.

Woman found deceased at the Harbor

Judith Campbell, 80, of Ventura was found deceased after the Ventura Police Department received a report of a possible body in the water at the Harbor. Her death was determined to be an accidental drowning, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office. Officials said that the cause of death did not appear to be suspicious in nature.

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.

Suspicious Circumstances

On January 15, at approximately 2pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center started receiving multiple 911 calls from employees inside of the Human Services Agency at 855 Partridge Dr. reporting shots being fired inside the lobby. Numerous officers from the Ventura Police Department responded to the scene and contacted the suspect, later identified as 31 year old Port Hueneme resident Royce Denson, who was found unarmed in the front lobby. Denson was detained.

During the investigation officers learned that Denson was in court earlier today and had public services taken away from him that were provided by the Human Services Agency. Denson went to the main office and started disturbing inside the lobby. He became upset with the employees and began banging his fists on the counter. Employees secured the front office, while other employees inside the building heard what they thought were gunshots and called 911.

Officers conducted a thorough search of the entire building to ensure it was safe for the employees, who had gone into a lockdown.

As a precaution, nearby Portola Elementary School was immediately placed on lockdown until it was determined no further threat existed.

Denson was arrested for trespassing and a violation of probation.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Denson has been convicted 8 times in the past 2 years. The various charges included resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Assault with Deadly Weapon (handgun used)

On January 18, at approximately 12am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a gunshot victim in the area of Mission Park. Officers quickly arrived on scene and were informed by witnesses that the victim was transported by a passerby to Community Memorial Hospital. Officers met the victim at the hospital as the victim was suffering from a single gunshot wound to his lower leg. The Victim was stabilized and was later transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated for his moderate injuries.

The Officers that had arrived near Mission Park located a crime scene and evidence of the shooting. Detectives were notified and along with a crime scene investigator took over the scene. No officers were injured in this incident. The suspect was a 49 year old adult male, his name has been withheld.

This is an active investigation, and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Ventura Police Department Detectives at 805-339-4488.

Conspiracy to Commit Crime, Battery and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor Arrest

On January 20, at approximately 6pm the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from a 20-year-old male reporting that he had been shot in the back by subjects in a passing vehicle. The victim started to follow the suspect vehicle while he remained on the phone with the dispatcher, but stopped after it was determined he had been shot by a paintball gun. The victim sustained minor injuries to his back.

With the description of the suspect vehicle provided by the victim, officers were able to contact the owner of the suspect vehicle. The suspects, later identified as a 17-year-old male Ventura resident, who was the driver and 18 year old Ventura resident Terrell Vaughn, identified as the shooter, met with investigating officers at the Ventura Police Department.

At the conclusion of the investigation, officers determined that the 17-year-old and Vaughn conspired to drive around the city and shoot people with the paint ball gun.

The juvenile was cited and released to his parents for conspiracy and battery. Vaughn was arrested for conspiracy, battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A third 18-year-old passenger that was in the vehicle was not arrested.

If others were victimized by being shot with a paintball gun, please contact the Ventura Police Department Watch Commander at 339-4416.

Strong Arm Robbery

On January 24, at approximately 12:15am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 from a witness that heard the victim yell for help saying that his phone had been taken.

Officers arrived and contacted the victim who said he was at the 76 station waiting for a friend to pick him up when the suspect came over to him and engaged him in a conversation about the music he was playing. While the victim was talking to the suspect, the suspect grabbed the victim’s I-phone from his hand and began to run away. The victim tackled the suspect and tried to get his phone back, but the suspect began to hit the victim several times in the head and face. The suspect was able to get away and fled northbound on Victoria Ave.

Ventura Police Officers and The K9 unit attempted to locate the suspect but were unable to locate him. The suspect was described as a white male, 25 years old, blonde hair, wearing a grey flannel and black pants. Using the Find My I-phone app officers were able to locate the victim’s phone nearby as the suspect either dropped or discarded the phone as he fled.

The victim sustained minor injuries from this incident and was treated at the scene by Ventura Fire paramedics. This is an ongoing investigation, anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the Ventura Police Department at 805-339-4488.

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.

Robbery and Possession of Burglary Tools Arrest

On January 4, at approximately 5pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from Vons reporting that the suspect, 30 year old vagrant Patrick Rasmusson, had entered Vons, selected merchandise and walked out without paying. When employees confronted Rasmusson, he pulled out a canister of pepper spray and threatened to spray the employees. Fearing being pepper sprayed, the employees let Rasmusson walk away with the property and called police.

Officers responded and located Rasmusson in the area and took him into custody without incident. During the arrest, officers located the pepper spray and numerous tools that could be used for burglary.

Rasmusson was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for Robbery and Possession of Burglary Tools. No one was injured as a result of this incident

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Rasmusson has been arrested for drug charges, prowling and possession of burglary tools.

Vehicle Pursuit and Arrest

On January 8, at approximately 10:45am, a Ventura police officer was on patrol and saw a vehicle with an equipment violation in the area of Sherwin Ave. and Ventura Blvd. The officer initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, later identified as 27 year old Oxnard resident Ryean Hanks. As the officer was speaking to Hanks, she indicated that she was wanted and fled from the traffic stop. A vehicle pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued northbound on Sherwin Ave., then eastbound on Crescent St. Hanks then turned on Johnson Dr., and as she attempted to navigate a turn onto eastbound Capri Ave., Hanks lost control of the vehicle and collided into an unoccupied parked vehicle in front of Taco Bell. She fled from the vehicle on foot.

The officer pursued Hanks on foot and caught her after a brief foot pursuit. Hanks fought with the officer and after a brief struggle, she was taken into custody. During a search, officers discovered that Hanks was in possession of a controlled substance.

Both the officer and Hanks sustained minor injuries as a result of the arrest. No one else was injured in this incident.

Hanks was arrested for misdemeanor evading arrest in a vehicle, felony resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and two warrants, an out of county felony and misdemeanor.

Hit and Run, DUI, Battery on a Peace Officer

On January 8, at approximately 6:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a hit and run collision in the area Telephone Rd. and Jasper Ave. in the city of Ventura. The witness told dispatchers that the driver of an SUV hit a tree and was trying to leave the area. After colliding with the tree, the driver of the vehicle, 32 year old David Malijan, made a u-turn and attempted to drive away from the collision. Due to the damage the vehicle sustained from the collision, Malijan stopped his SUV a short distance away and walked away.

The first responding officer found Malijan’s SUV unoccupied and began searching the area. During the search, Malijan was found a short distance away. During the contact, the officers started to ask Malijan what happened but Malijan was uncooperative and took a fighting stance on the officer. The officer attempted to detain Malijan to further his investigation, but Mailijan began to violently resist the officer and a struggle ensued. As more officers arrived, Malijan was eventually subdued and taken into custody.

No officers were injured during the incident and Malijan was treated for minor injuries. Malijan was arrested for hit and run, DUI drugs and resisting a police officer.

Robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon

On January 10, at approximately 12:30am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a fight in the Santa Clara Parking Structure with one person bleeding. Upon the officer’s arrival it was determined that a group of people were walking to their car that was parked in the structure. They were approached by another small group of Hispanic males and a Hispanic female. The suspect group began asking the victims where they were from and then attacked them. During the altercation, three victims were punched. A fourth victim was stabbed in the torso by one off the attackers who also stole his cell phone.

The victims who were punched received minor injuries and were treated on scene by paramedics. The victim who was stabbed is currently in stable condition at a local hospital. VPD CSI responded to process the crime scene. VPD detectives are now on scene conducting further investigation. This is an ongoing investigation, anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the Ventura Police Department at 805-339-4488.