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 & Assualt with Deadly Weapon Arrest

On December 31 at 1:30pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of a possible stabbing that had just occurred at the Family Discount Store, at 107 W. Main Street. Officers, along with Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel responded to the scene and located two stabbing victims. The first victim, a female employee of the store, had sustained a small laceration to her face and hand. The second victim, a male passerby, was found to be suffering from non-life threatening stab wounds to the neck and upper torso.

During the investigation, officers learned the suspect, later identified as 29 year old Ventura resident Gilbert Ortiz, had entered the store and began to select merchandise from behind the front counter. The female clerk confronted Ortiz and asked him to leave the store. Ortiz produced a knife and lunged over the counter at the clerk, cutting her on the face and hand. A male passerby witnessed this act and confronted Ortiz who proceeded to stab him in the neck and torso.

A security guard, assigned to the surrounding shopping center, witnessed this crime and followed Ortiz as he fled out of the store on foot. Ortiz turned on the security guard, brandished the knife and threatened to harm the guard. Fearing for his safety, the security guard discontinued his pursuit.

Officers were able to obtain security footage of the crime and recognized Ortiz as the suspect. Officers located Ortiz in front of a residence in the 300 Block of Olive Street a short time later and took him into custody without incident.

Identity Theft and Grand Theft Arrest

On December 21, 2017 the victim was at the Ventura City Hall to conduct some business. When he left he inadvertently forgot his backpack which contained a laptop computer, personal documents, and credit cards on a counter. When the victim realized this, he returned to city hall but found that his backpack had been taken.

Ventura Street Crimes Detectives reviewed video surveillance from city hall as well as a gas station where the suspect used the victim’s credit cards.

Detectives recognized the suspect as 49 year old Ventura resident Susan Plechner who is currently on probation for narcotic related offenses.

On January 3 at 2:30pm, Street Crimes Unit detectives located Plechner at a residence in Santa Paula. She then led the detectives to the whereabouts of the stolen backpack she had hidden in her garage on North Bank Dr.

Bicycle Theft Sting Operation Arrest

On January 5 at 3pm, Detectives from the Ventura Police Departments Street Crimes Unit conducted a bike theft sting at the Von’s Shopping Center at 2764 E. Thompson, due to the fact several bike thefts have occurred in the area.

After a bait bike was left in the area, a known narcotics and property crimes offender, 41 year old Ventura resident Jason “Hornz” Garner, rode up to the area on his bike, which was later believed to be stolen as well. Garner waited until customers in the area had passed, then stole the bike and attempted to flee through the parking lot, but was apprehended after a short pursuit. Garner was then taken into custody without further incident and booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Due to an increase in bicycle thefts, the Ventura Police Department is asking the public to register their bicycles after purchase. For more information, visit http://cityofventura.ca.gov or our Facebook page.

Shooting

On December 29, at approximately 7pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of shooting victim in the parking of the Northbank Plaza in the 2800 block of Johnson Dr. Patrol officers, along with Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel, responded to the call and found a 25- year-old male victim suffering from a life threatening gunshot wound to his torso. He was treated at the scene by Ventura City Fire personnel, and immediately transported to VCMC. The suspect was last seen by witnesses fleeing the scene westbound on foot.

During the investigation, detectives spoke to witnesses who described a verbal altercation between the victim and suspect just before the shooting. Based on witness statements and security camera video obtained by Ventura PD Detectives, the suspect was identified as 21 year old Santa Paula resident Josue Rizo.

On January 3rd, 2018, an arrest warrant was issued for Rizo for attempted murder. On January 4th, 2018, LAPD patrol officers located Rizo inside a vehicle in the 9100 block of Sharp Avenue in Arleta, California, and took him into custody. A firearm believed to be used in the crime was recovered during the 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.

Child Endangerment; Assault with a Deadly Weapon; Felony Evading Arrest

On December 16, a Ventura Police Officer was on patrol when he observed two vehicles appearing to be involved in a road rage incident. One of the cars pulled over and flagged the officer down. The officer quickly learned the incident was part of a domestic dispute between both drivers.

The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the second vehicle. When he did so, the vehicle accelerated away at a high rate of speed. The officer pursued the vehicle through a residential neighborhood, where the vehicle ran through several stop signs .

The vehicle eventually pulled into a driveway of a residence and the suspect fled on foot into the house. Officers made contact with subjects inside the residence and were able to convince the suspect to come outside.

Through their investigation officers learned the victim was attempting to comply with a court order and was dropping off her three young children, ages 2, 3, and 5, at their father’s house. When she arrived, 25 year old Ventura resident Raphael Hernandez came out of his residence armed with a crow bar and began hitting the side of the victim’s car while the children were still inside.

Hernandez was taken into custody and booked into Ventura County Jail for Child Endangerment, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Violation of Domestic Violence Restraining Order, and Felony Evading.

Assault with a deadly weapon

On December 18, at approximately 10:15pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a report of two subjects fighting with knives in an apartment complex.

Officers responded and made contact with 21 year old Ventura resident Erik Torres and his brother Arturo. Arturo was bleeding from lacerations to his face. During their investigation, Officers learned the two brothers were arguing and began to fight. Erik Torres armed himself with a knife and cut Arturo in the face. Erik then armed himself with a skateboard and hit Arturo alongside of the head causing additional injuries.

Erik Torres was booked at the Ventura county jail for Assault with a deadly weapon.

Traffic collision and DUI arrest

On December 19, at approximately 12:15am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a report a vehicle rollover into the driveway of 1123 Peninsula Street.

Officers responded located the driver, 19 year old Ventura resident Jordan Spear, outside of his vehicle. It was found that Jordan lost control of his 2014 Ford Mustang causing it to roll over into the driveway colliding with two parked vehicles.

Officers noticed he was displaying signs of being intoxicated. Officers conducted a Field Sobriety Evaluation, and Spear was found to be driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Spear was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail .

Theft from vehicle

On December 19, at approximately 3:15am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a report of a person casing vehicles and trying door handles in the area.

Officers arrived on scene and located 33 year old Ventura resident Shiloh Chenoweth inside of a vehicle. Chenoweth ran from officers when they attempted to contact him. Officers lost Chenoweth in the area of Aliso Street and Buena Vista Ave. Officers quickly set up a perimeter around Chenoweth’s last location. A few minutes later, one of the perimeter Officers located Chenoweth attempting to hide in a yard at the corner of Buena Vista and Aliso. Chenoweth was taken into custody without incident.

Chenoweth was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Vehicle Tampering, Resisting Arrest, Burglary tools, and Drug charges.

Commercial Burglary Arrest

On December 22, at approximately 10:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from CVS Alarms, reporting a possible commercial burglary in progress at the CVS store at 2260 E. Thompson Blvd. The alarm company had live video surveillance of inside the closed store and reported seeing a male subject inside removing items from the shelves.

Officers arrived on scene and immediately set up a perimeter around the store. The front door of the business was found open. As officers were preparing to enter the store, the suspect later identified as 29 year old Ventura resident Tyler Clark, was seen just inside the entrance. Clark saw the officers and fled towards the back of the store.

Officers, along with a Ventura Police K-9, entered the store and during a search found Clark hiding inside. Clark was taken into custody without incident.

Stabbing Homicide

On December 24, at approximately 10pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call in reference to a stabbing that occurred at the city parking structure located at 500 East Harbor Blvd. Ventura PD patrol officers responded to the call and upon arrival, located the victim who sustained numerous stab wounds to his body. The victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he later died from his injuries. Ventura Police Detectives were notified and took over the investigation.

During the investigation, Ventura Police Detectives learned that the victim was approached by three suspects on the second floor of the parking structure. Three suspects attacked the victim and began battering and stabbing him. Video surveillance in the area captured the attack. Ventura Police Detectives were able to identify the suspects, who are known members of a local gang. It appears that the victim was targeted by the suspects and this was not a random crime.

On December 27, at approximately 5:30pm, with the assistance of Ventura Police SWAT, investigators served a search warrant at the residence of 20 year old Ventura resident Chris Gallegos in the 200 block of W. Simpson St. Gallegos was located at the residence and was taken into custody. He was booked into Ventura County Jail for Murder, Street Terrorism, and Conspiracy.

On December 28, at approximately 10:30am, the 17 year old juvenile suspect was seen in the 200 block of W. Ramona Street. Ventura Police officers surrounded the area and a team of SWAT officers conducted a search for the suspect. He was located hiding inside a residence and taken into custody without incident.

The 16-year-old juvenile is currently in custody at Ventura County Juvenile Hall for an unrelated case and will be booked for Murder, Street Terrorism, and Conspiracy.

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.

Strong Arm Robbery

On December 3, at approximately 10pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call reference a strong arm robbery in progress. Several employees were working their assigned stations at Jack in the Box when the suspect later identified as 24 year old Ventura resident Jesse Rivera entered the restaurant wearing a black hoodie, black gloves and a dark colored bandana covering his face. Rivera approached the cash register, pulling it from the counter and began to flee the restaurant. Store employees attempted to apprehend Rivera who physically resisted. Rivera released the cash register and attempted to flee.

Store employees pursued and detained Rivera as officers arrived on scene. Rivera was arrested and later booked at the Ventura County Jail for robbery. The two employees that apprehended Rivera received minor injuries.

Shooting with Arrest

On December 5, at approximately 1am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of shots fired in the 2500 Blk. of Bayshore Ave. Responding Ventura Police Patrol Officers arrived on scene and located the victim who had a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his back. The shooter remained on scene and Officers immediately took him into custody.

Ventura Police Detectives were summoned to handle the investigation. Investigators learned that the shooter was an off-duty CHP officer from the Ventura CHP office. Investigators determined that the officer, identified as 49 year old Ventura Trever Dalton, and the victim got into an altercation in the driveway of the residence on Bayshore. During the altercation, the officer fired his weapon twice at the victim, striking him one time. As a result of the investigation, Dalton was arrested and booked at Ventura County Jail for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. A firearm was recovered at the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The California Highway Patrol has been notified regarding this investigation.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Ed McCain at 805-339-4478.

Vandalism Arrest

On December 12, at approximately 11:15pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of vandalism in progress in the area of Lynn Dr. and Gale Way. The caller reported two suspects were using spray-paint, and spraying graffiti on the sidewalk.

When officers arrived on scene, the suspects ran away from officers but were detained a short distance away.

During the investigation, officers determined the 17 year old male juvenile had vandalized several different locations in the area, which caused several hundred dollars of damage. He was issued a citation for felony vandalism and released to his parents at the scene.

The other juvenile was cited for curfew violation and released to his parents.

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

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On December 14, at approximately 3am, a VPD patrol officer observed a white and silver Ford Flex driving in the area of Ventura Ave and McFarlane St with a dealer paper plate on the rear of the car. The officer knew that a car matching that description had just been reported stolen a couple days prior. The officer attempted to make contact with the occupants of the car as the car drove quickly north on Ventura Ave. The car made a quick turn into a residential neighborhood in the area of Ventura Ave and Shoshone St and was located parked and unoccupied. The front license plate was missing and the VIN had been purposely covered.

Officers waited in the area to see if the occupants would return to the car. Two subjects, later identified as 25 year old Ventura resident Raeann Patterson and 28 year old Oxnard resident Andrew Coombes, were seen running from the area and getting into an unrelated car driven by an Uber driver. Officers stopped the car and contacted both subjects.

Further investigation revealed that the Ford Flex was in fact the earlier reported stolen car and there was property belonging to Patterson inside the stolen car as well as controlled substances. Other evidence was obtained that showed that Patterson was the one that had stolen the car. Patterson was ultimately arrested for possession of a stolen car and controlled substances and later booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Coombes was found to be a convicted felon in possession tear gas and arrested. Coombes was later booked into the Ventura County Jail for being a felon in possession of tear gas.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On December 14, at approximately 10:15am, a Ventura Police officer observed a suspicious four door sedan in the parking lot of Silver Sands Motel that matched the description of a recently reported stolen vehicle. The officer was able to quickly confirm the vehicle was in fact stolen and requested additional officers to assist.

As the stolen vehicle exited the parking lot additional officers arrived on scene to conduct a traffic enforcement stop. The driver, later identified as 37 year old Ventura resident Monique Dabour, was ordered out of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. Record check of Dabour revealed a felony no bail warrant for her arrest. Dabour was also found to be in possession of Methamphetamine.

Dabour was transported to Ventura County Jail where she was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and the felony no bail warrant.

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 Arrest

On November 19 at 10:25am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of several subjects involved in a physical altercation near the intersection of Sheridan Way and Ramona Street. Officers arrived a short time later and found the involved parties were no longer in the area.

During the investigation officers learned the suspect, 32 year old Ventura resident Sergio Rubio, was involved in a verbal altercation with a group of males in the 400 block of West Ramona. The group of males fled on foot after battering Rubio.

Rubio entered a vehicle and gave chase after the group. Rubio made several unsuccessful attempts to strike the victims with his vehicle. Rubio eventually stopped and exited the vehicle before brandishing a knife at two of the victims.

Rubio was located and placed under arrest without incident.

Road Rage / Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a vehicle

On November 22, at approximately 9:45pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received several 911 calls reporting a traffic collision at the intersection of Portolla Rd. and Shenandoah St. where one vehicle possibly fled the scene. A security guard from the Kohls shopping center witnessed the event and told dispatch the traffic collision stemmed from a Road Rage that took place between the two vehicles involved in the shopping center parking lot.

Officers investigating the incident made contact with all the involved parties. During the incident, the victim threw a soda at Thomas Riddle’s vehicle and Riddle pursued the other vehicle, driving on the wrong side of the entryway into the shopping center parking lot as the vehicles turned on to Portolla Rd.

Riddle’s vehicle intentionally rammed the other vehicle on Portolla Rd. During the intentional act of ramming the other party’s vehicle, Riddle’s vehicle struck the curb at the intersection of Portolla Rd. and Shenandoah St. and became disabled.

The other vehicle involved in the incident was also disabled from Riddle ramming their vehicle and they were able to drive it a short distance away and called 911 for officer assistance.

Fatal Traffic Collison-Vehicle V. Train

On November 25, at approximately 7pm, The Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of a train versus vehicle accident at California St. and Harbor Bl.

Officers arrived on scene and located a single vehicle with one occupant, a 73 year old Hispanic male, that had been struck by a passenger train.

The investigation revealed that the driver was southbound on California St. and stopped on the railroad tracks as the crossing guard arms came down.

Shooting at Inhabited Dwelling Arrest

On November 26, at approximately 10pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of multiple gunshots being heard from a residence in the 6200 block of Bell St.

Officers arrived on scene and located a witness who confirmed that there was a subject, identified as 27 year old Ventura resident Justin Abbe, inside the residence who had fired several shots and that he was intoxicated.

Officers surrounded the residence including an armored rescue vehicle and K9 unit. Officers attempted to make verbal contact with the Abbe for over an hour without success. The Ventura Police Department SWAT team was activated due to the high risk situation.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident by the Ventura Police Department SWAT team at approximately 2:30am. Several firearms were removed from the residence including an assault rifle.

Stolen Vehicle Pursuit and Arrest

On November 29, at approximately 1:45pm, an officer on patrol near the intersection of Johnson Dr. and Bristol Rd. was alerted by his stolen vehicle tracking device. The stolen vehicle, a 2008 Toyota sedan, was in motion and driving away from the area.

At approximately 3pm, an officer driving southbound on Highway 101 saw the stolen vehicle and initiated a vehicle pursuit, maximum speed reaching 80 mph. The vehicle pursuit continued into Oxnard, where the vehicle exited at Vineyard Ave., struck a curb which flattened one of its tires. The passenger 19 year old Ventura resident Juan Ramirez, got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. The pursuit of the stolen vehicle and driver, later identified a 20 year old Ventura resident Sebastian Shannon, continued into a nearby neighborhood.

At the intersection of Ironbark St. and Bluebell St., Shannon abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, and officers lost sight of him as he climbed into the backyard of homes. With the use of a Ventura Police Department K-9, Shannon was located hiding inside of a house that was under construction.

Officers then began searching the area where Ramirez was seen fleeing from the vehicle. Several residents reported seeing Ramirez running through backyards, With the assistance of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Helicopter, he was located a short time later and taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.

Shannon was later booked into the Ventura County Jail for Felony Evading, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Hit and Run, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and a two felony warrants. Ramirez was booked for Resisting Arrest.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer

On November 29, at approximately 11pm, the VPD Command Center received a call regarding Erick Stevenson causing a disturbance at a home in the 600 Blk of Riverside St. Two officers arrived on scene and located 22 year old Ventura resident Stevenson outside the home on Riverside St just south of Ramona St. As the officers approached him, Stevenson picked a brick and threw it at the officers. The brick missed the officers and they ordered Stevenson to get on the ground. Stevenson complied and was taken into custody without incident. No one was injured during the incident.

Stevenson was placed under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and later booked into the Ventura County Jail.

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.

Felony Resisting a Peace Officer, Possession of a Controlled Substance Arrest

On November 4, at approximately 1am, a Ventura Police patrol officer was contacted by a witness in the 200 block of Santa Clara Street who was reporting a physical altercation to the front of the Tavern Bar. The witness identified two of the involved parties, a male and female, who were still on scene.

As the officer was attempting to contact the parties to determine their involvement in the altercation, the female suspect, 26 year old Ventura resident Natalie Carr ran from the officer. A second officer arrived on scene and detained Carr, along with the male suspect, 21 year old Ventura resident Liko McBride. Both suspects refused to cooperate with officers as they attempted to gather information.

During the investigation, officers learned the two were involved in the earlier altercation but were unable to establish a crime had been committed at that time. As the officer was informing the parties they were being released without pending criminal charges, Carr stood up and advanced towards the officer in a threatening manner. The officer took physical control of Carr in order to take her into custody and prevent her from striking him. McBride interfered at this point and physically assaulted the officer while trying to free Carr. The officer lost control of Carr as a result, but was able to take McBride to the ground as he continued to resist. Once on the ground, Carr began to strike the officer in the head and upper torso.

The second officer on scene physically detained Carr who continued to try to assault officers. Once Carr was taken into custody, additional officers arrived on scene and assisted in detaining McBride.

Prowling Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

On November 15, at approximately 10:30am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from a resident in the 300 block of S. Brent St. reporting that a subject was just seen attempting to enter a neighbor’s side gate. The caller saw the subject, later identified as the suspect 32 year old vagrant Brittany Austen, reaching over the gate and yelled at her to stop. Austen fled on foot and was last seen running westbound on Preble Ave.

Officers responding to the call saw Austen, who matched the description, and detained her several blocks away from the residence. She was positively identified and arrested.

Suicidal Subject

On the November 15, at approximately 1pm, a Ventura Police Officer was on patrol when he observed a subject, later identified as a 19-year-old male adult, standing on the outside railing of the California St. overcrossing of Highway 101. The subject was standing on the catwalk of a freeway sign, which was approximately 20 feet above the roadway and vehicles traveling in the southbound lanes of the highway.

The officer immediately made verbal contact with the subject and began attempts to negotiate with him, while additional officers closed California St., and the California Highway Patrol closed both the northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 101. The Ventura City Fire Department was also called to the scene and remained on scene for the duration of the incident.

At first the subject was uncooperative although the officer, who is trained in crisis intervention, continued attempts to negotiate with the subject for approximately 1.5 hours. The officer was finally able to convince the subject to climb back over the railing onto California St. Once he was safely away from the ledge, officers detained the subject.

Narcotic/Opiate Related Arrests

On November 15, Detectives with the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit conducted two separate investigations involving the sales and unlawful use of opiate based controlled substances.

On November 15 at 8:30am, Street Crimes Detectives made contact with an unknown suspect who was offering to sell an opiate based controlled substance over an online website. Detectives negotiated a price and set a meet location in the Ventura Gateway Center parking lot.

Detectives were waiting at the meet location for a short period of time when two female suspects arrived on foot. Detectives watched as one of the suspects answered calls from an undercover detective.

Uniformed detectives then moved in and detained 30 year old Ventura resident Thea Goldstein and 24 year old Ventura resident Taylor Carr. Both were found to be in possession of Suboxone, an opiate based narcotic.

Later in the day, at 2:45pm, Street Crimes Unit Detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 9300 block of Neath St reference the suspect, 28 year old Ventura resident Christian Shatswell, using forged prescriptions to unlawfully obtain oxycodone and hydrocodone, both an opiate based narcotic, from several local pharmacies.

Shatswell was detained during the search warrant and later arrested for the felony crimes of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, using a forged prescription, and commercial burglary.

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 Vehicles/Residential Burglary Arrest

On October 28, at 6:45am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of an unoccupied vehicle left running in the roadway in the 1900 block of Hillcrest Dr. Officers arrived on scene and determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of a residential burglary on Encinal Pl three days earlier.

Officers were conducting the investigation when a resident on Hillcrest Dr. reported that their vehicle had been stolen within the hour.

At about approximate;y 8am, the Ventura Police Command Center received an additional call of an interrupted residential burglary in 2800 block of Harbor Bl. The caller indicated that the suspect, later identified as 27 year old Oxnard resident Vincente Quinonez, had left in a vehicle southbound on Harbor Bl with a large amount of property.

The occupied stolen vehicle was located with the assistance of LoJack at Harbor and Spinnaker Dr. Officers conducted a high risk stop on the vehicle and took the suspect into custody without incident.

Quinonez was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail for residential burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, and two outstanding felony warrants.

Registered Sex Offender Compliance Sweep

On October 27 at 8am, twenty-three officers from multiple allied agencies including the Ventura Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, FBI, Homeland Security, and County Probation conducted a citywide compliance check of registered sex offenders in advance of Halloween night. Registered sex offenders are prohibited from passing out treats or displaying any decorations on the outside of their residences on Halloween.

Officers inspected thirty-nine locations that resulted in two arrests. 51 year old Ventura resident Jack Rickman was arrested at his residence in the 6900 block of Norton Ave for felony violations of his probation terms, narcotic use, and two felony warrants. 64 year old Ventura resident Eric Rasmussen was arrested at his residence in the 200 Block of S Petit Ave for felony violations of his probation terms and possession of sexually explicit material.

Felon in possession of a firearm

On October 30, at approximately 1am, Ventura Police Patrol Officer conducted a traffic stop on a suspect vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, 37 year old Ventura resident Christopher Kehr, was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin, and drug paraphernalia. Kehr was taken into custody and found to also be in possession of counterfeit U.S. currency.

Upon further search of the vehicle Officers also located a loaded handgun as well as burglary tools.

Stabbing

On October 30, at approximately 4am, a Ventura Police Patrol Officer contacted the victim riding a bicycle in the area of Thompson Blvd and Coronado St. Coronel informed the Officer he had just been stabbed in the chest during an argument with 27 year old Ventura resident Kyle Dean, in front of 68 South Seaward. Coronel was transported to VCMC where he was treated for a non-life threatening stab wound to the chest.

Officers responded to 68 South Seaward and made contact with Dean. Dean was questioned and taken into custody without incident. The weapon used in the stabbing was located at the scene. Dean was transported to VCJ where he was booked for domestic violence with injuries, and Assault with a deadly weapon.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On October 31, at approximately 8pm, an alert citizen called the Ventura Police Department Command Center to report that she had just seen a relative’s stolen vehicle in the area of Ventura Ave and Thompson Blvd. Officers in the area observed the stolen vehicle entering the 101 southbound freeway from Harbor Blvd and conducted an enforcement stop on the 101 southbound freeway just before the Seaward Ave off- ramp. Officers conducted a high-risk stop of the vehicle and had to shut down the 101 southbound freeway for a brief period of time.

The vehicle was occupied by 23 year old Ventura resident Ciara Ashford and she was taken into custody without incident. Ashford initially lied to officers about her identity and was found to have two outstanding warrants for her arrest.

Ashford was later booked into the Ventura County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle, providing false information to a peace officer and for the two warrants.

Stabbing

On November 1, at approximately 3am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of an injured subject on the Ventura Promenade.

Officers arrived on scene and located a victim of a stab wound to the torso. The victim was transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

The ensuing investigation revealed that there was possibly an altercation on the promenade prior to the stabbing. The victim was uncooperative during the investigation.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact Sgt. Cain at 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.

Vandalism Arrest

On October 10, at approximately 10am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of vandalism in progress at Grant Park, 699 Brakey Rd. The caller reported the suspect was using spray-paint, and spraying black paint on several rock walls and fire hydrants. The suspect, later identified as 19 year old Ventura resident Gabriel Enriquez, was associated to a vehicle that was parked nearby with several other subjects inside.

During the investigation, officers determined Enriquez had vandalized several different locations of Grant Park, which caused several hundred dollars of damage to city property. He was arrested and later booked into the Ventura County Jail for felony vandalism.

The other occupants inside the vehicle were cited for having open containers of alcohol and released.

Possession of Stolen Property, Narcotics Arrests

On October 11, at approximately 9am, an officer was patrolling the area of Dupont Ct. and Goodyear Ave., when he saw a parked vehicle with a female inside that he knew had several warrants for her arrest. The officer stopped and made contact with the female, who was a passenger in the vehicle, and the male driver, later identified as 35 year old vagrant Brandon Benard.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found a backpack that belonged to Benard. Inside the backpack officers found property that did not belong to Bernard or the wanted female. After further investigation, it was determined the property in the backpack had recently been taken during several vehicle burglaries in the sheriff department’s jurisdiction near the Faria area of the Pacific Coast Highway. Officers also determined that Benard was showing signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Benard was arrested and later booked into the Ventura County Jail for being in possession of stolen property and under the influence of a controlled substance. At the time of this arrest, Bernard was out on bail from a previous arrest for similar charges.

Several victims who had vehicles broken into early in the day were contacted and all of the stolen property was returned to them.

The 37-year-old female was arrested for several misdemeanor warrants and for being in possession of drug paraphernalia. A second 27-year-old male, who was contacted by officers in an associated motorhome that was parked nearby, was also arrested for several misdemeanor drug related charges.

Vehicle Pursuit and Arrest

On October 15 at 2:30pm, a Ventura police officer on patrol attempted to stop the suspect, later identified as 60 year old Ventura resident Natalie Bustillos, for a moving violation in the area of Main Street and Mills Road. The officer activated his emergency lights to initiate the traffic stop, but Bustillos failed to yield and drove east through the intersection against a red signal.

The officer initiated a pursuit as Bustillos proceeded to travel east on Main Street to Callens Road. Bustillos conducted a U-turn at Callens Road and drove back to Mills Road where she turned and drove north towards the Pacific View Mall. Bustillos entered the PVM parking lot at a high rate of speed, almost striking several pedestrians.

Bustillos stopped her vehicle in the parking lot and fled on foot into the Target store. Officers gave chase and were able to stop Bustillos just inside the storefront. Bustillos violently resisted officers as they attempted to take her into custody. Additional officers arrived on scene, and after a brief struggle, they were able to detain Bustillos.

Bustillo was placed under arrest and was transported to the Ventura County Jail where she was booked for felony evading a police officer, felony resisting a peace officer while causing injury and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance.

Criminal Conspiracy, Theft and Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On October 16, at approximately 6:30pm, Ventura Police officers responded to a theft of lottery tickets which had just occurred at the Seaward Shell convenience store located at 2099 Harbor Boulevard.

During the investigation, officers learned a female suspect had entered the store and reported a malfunctioning gas pump. When the attendant went to check the pump, a male suspect, later identified as 44 year old Ventura vagrant Cooper Adams, jumped the counter and took a large amount of California Lottery tickets. The suspects were last seen fleeing the area in a dark colored Toyota sedan with dealer paper plates. Later that evening, the same suspects committed a similar crime at the Arco AM/PM store located at 5699 Valentine Road.

On October 17m at approximately 12pm, a Ventura Police patrol officer observed a vehicle which matched the description of the above suspect vehicle in the area of Market Street and Palma Drive. An enforcement stop was conducted and Adams was taken into custody without incident. Officers learned the vehicle Adams was driving had been reported stolen from a rental car company in July. Adams was also found to be wanted for grand larceny in connection to a theft from a retail business that occurred in September.

Adams was placed under arrest and transported to the Ventura County Jail where he was booked for criminal conspiracy, shoplifting, possession of a stolen vehicle, grand theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Felon/Wanted Parolee in Possession of Loaded Firearm Arrest

On October 18, at approximately 1pm, VPD Gang and Street Crimes Unit detectives were attempting to locate 21 year old Ventura vagrant Peter Robledo, who was a wanted parolee. Officers had information that Robledo, who is a member of a criminal street gang, may have been in possession of a firearm.

Robledo had been on court ordered electronic monitoring when he cut off his GPS device during a domestic violence incident in Santa Barbara County a week ago.

Officers were observing the house of one of Robledo’s acquaintances when a detective saw him enter a vehicle as a passenger and leave the residence. Detectives and officers in marked patrol vehicles followed and conducted a high risk stop on the vehicle. The other passengers were briefly detained while Robledo was taken into custody. Robledo was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun.

Robledo was transported to the Ventura County Jail where he was booked for being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, felony carrying a weapon in a vehicle, a local warrant, and a parole hold.

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 September 25, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from a female employee of the Goodwill Retail Store, reporting that an armed robbery had just occurred. The suspects, one armed with a handgun, were last seen fleeing in a silver van. The driver was a Hispanic male wearing beanie hat and all black clothing, no description of the second suspect was available.

During the investigation, officers learned the victim was exiting the store when the suspect called out to her from within the van. The victim approached the parked vehicle and was immediately confronted by the suspect who brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s property. The victim complied with the request and relinquished a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect took the bag and was last seen traveling west on Main Street.

Officers checked the area, but were unable to locate the suspect. The victim was not injured as a result of this incident.

Attempt Robbery

On September 27, at approximately 9:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call 911 call from the victim who was at 1130 south Victoria Ave, Bank of America (ATM). The victim indicated that a male suspect, later identified as 40 year old Thousand Oaks vagrant Scott Oppenheim, yelled at her and pushed her from the ATM as she was trying to withdraw money from the ATM. The suspect manipulated the ATM in order to withdraw money from the victim’s account. The victim began to yell and scream for help as several bystanders at a nearby gas station came to the victim’s aide. The bystanders fought with the suspect as the suspect was able to flee from them.

Officers arrived on scene and saw the suspect walking eastbound on Telephone Rd. from Victoria Ave. when he was stopped. The suspect did not follow any commands that officers were giving him. K9 Rover was sent and apprehended the suspect who was taken into custody.

The suspect was taken to VCMC where he was treated for his minor injuries sustained from the bystanders assisting the Victim and from the apprehension. No officers were injured as a result of this incident.

Aggravated Trespassing Arrest

On September 30 at 2:30pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call from a resident in the 200 block of Hoover Avenue who advised a male subject had just attempted to gain entry into their home. When officers arrived on scene they learned the victim had confronted the suspect to the front of their residence after he had attempted to enter through the front door. The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival and he was not located at that time.

At approximately 3:15pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call from a resident in the 100 block of San Mateo Avenue who advised a male subject had just illegally entered their home and was being detained by a family member. Responding officers recognized the suspect matched the description from the earlier call on Hoover Avenue.

As officers arrived on scene, they contacted the suspect, 19 year old Ojai resident Angel Esperanza, in the front yard and detained him without incident. During the investigation, officers determined Esperanza had attempted to enter the residence through the front door as he had previously done on Hoover Avenue. When he found the front door locked, he tried a locked garage door and eventually made entry into the house through an open side door. A resident confronted Esperanza just inside the entryway and demanded he leave. The resident physically detained Esperanza after he refused to exit and began to push his way further into the home.

Esperanza was placed under arrest and transported to VCMC where he was treated for minor injuries he received as a result of being detained by the victim. He was later booked into the Ventura County Jail for misdemeanor aggravated trespassing.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On October 1 at 2:15pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call from a victim who was reporting having just found his stolen utility trailer in the 1500 block of Goodyear Avenue. The victim indicated the trailer was stolen out of Oxnard on September 21.

As officers arrived on scene, they observed the suspect, 30 year old Ventura vagrant Brandon Beechum, attaching his vehicle to the trailer. Beechum was detained and evidence located on his person further linked him to the trailer.

Beechum was arrested and transported to Ventura County Jail where he was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle. A female passenger was questioned and released at the scene.

Commercial Burglary Arrest

On October 1 at 7:30pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of an audible burglary alarm at the Buena High School cafeteria located at 5670 Telegraph Road.

As officers arrived on scene they found an open exterior door and observed a male juvenile suspect inside. A perimeter was established around the cafeteria and the suspect was ordered to exit. He refused to comply with officers commands and retreated further into the cafeteria where officers lost sight of him.

A Ventura Police K9 was summoned to the scene to assist officers as they entered the cafeteria to search for the suspect. Within minutes, the K9 located the 17 year old juvenile hiding behind a counter inside the kitchen area. The suspect attempted to physically resist officers as he was taken into custody.

The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to Ventura County Juvenile Hall where he was booked for commercial burglary. The suspect was not injured during the arrest.

Brandishing a Replica Firearm in a Threatening Manner Arrest

On October 3, at approximately 3:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received separate 911 calls reporting two vagrants in a verbal argument in the 3000 block of E. Main St., near the intersection of Dos Caminos Ave. As the two subjects were still arguing, the callers reported one of them pulled out a gun and pointed it at the other subject. While the patrol units were still responding to the call, the subjects had separated and left the area in different directions. The subject with the gun, later identified as 42 year old vagrant David Olszewski, was last seen leaving the area on foot eastbound on Main St.

As he left the area, Olszewski then confronted the manager of the Bayshore Inn, a short distance away from the location of the original altercation, and pointed the gun at the manager in a threatening manner.

Units arrived on scene and took Olszewski into custody without incident. He had discarded the gun, but after a search of the area it was located and determined to be a replica firearm. (See attached).

Olszewski was arrested and later booked into the Ventura County Jail for brandishing a replica firearm in a threatening manner.

The first subject that was observed in the verbal altercation with Olszewski was last seen leaving on foot northbound on Dos Caminos Ave. and was not located.

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.

Lewd Acts with a Child Arrest

On September 9, at approximately 6pm, patrol officers responded to Golf n’ Stuff regarding a sexual battery that had just occurred. The female victim (12 years old) told the responding officers the suspect had touched her two times inappropriately (over her clothing) while she was playing a video game at the arcade. The victim told her parents, who then called 9-1-1. Prior to officers arriving, the suspect ran from the business. After the officers interviewed witnesses and reviewed the security camera footage, they identified the suspect as 23 year old Ventura resident David Sanchez. A records check confirmed that Sanchez is currently a registered sex offender, with multiple prior sex crime convictions in Ventura County.

VPD Detectives began investigating the incident and issued an arrest warrant for Sanchez reference 288(a) PC – Lewd acts with a child. On 9/11/17 at about 1530 hours, Detectives located Sanchez at a construction site in Goleta, and arrested him without incident. Sanchez was transported back to Ventura and booked at the main jail. Anyone that has further information on this investigation is asked to call Det. Mike Hibdon (805) 339-4443.

Safe and Clean Efforts

As part of the City of Ventura’s ongoing efforts to respond to concerns from the community as well as business merchants regarding drug use and drug paraphernalia in the parks and surrounding areas of the downtown corridor, the Ventura Police Department, partnered with allied agencies, conducted enhanced foot patrols in the downtown corridor on September 13, between the hours of 2pm and 7pm.

The goal of the City of Ventura’s Safe and Clean Initiative is to ensure safe and clean public places for the entire community to enjoy. One of the core elements of this effort is to direct and leverage limited resources to better address illegal and quality of life behaviors in public spaces.

As a result of this effort a total of 19 arrests were made in the downtown corridor:

• 13 arrests for being under the influence of a controlled substance (misdemeanor)
• 2 arrests for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor)
• 3 arrests for violation of probation
• 1 arrest for a robbery warrant out of Orange County (felony)
• The locations of these arrests included:
• 5 at Plaza Park, 600 E. Santa Clara St.
• 2 at Mission Park, 190 E. Main St.
• 2 at Promenade Park, 398 Figueroa St.
• 10 various locations in and around the downtown corridor

The City of Ventura is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the community by making a concerted effort to support the Safe and Clean Initiative.

Possession for sales, Felon in possession of firearms, Felony warrants

On September 12 at 1:25pm, Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit Detectives concluded an investigation into the suspected sales of methamphetamine from a residence in the 100 block of E Barnett Street.

Detectives observed the suspect, 52 year old Ventura resident James Meeks, in a vehicle on E Simpson St and took him into custody for two outstanding felony warrants related to the sales and transportation of a controlled substance. At the time of his arrest, Meeks was found to be in possession of over an ounce of suspected methamphetamine.

Detectives then served a search warrant on Meeks’ residence in the 100 block of E Barnett Street. During the search, detectives seized an additional two and a half ounces of suspected methamphetamine, cash that was suspected of being profits from illicit narcotic sales, and over forty-six firearms which included rifles and handguns.

Other items of evidence indicating that sales of methamphetamine were occurring from this residence were also identified and seized.

A second resident at this location, 66 year old Ventura resident Charles Doyle, was found to be in possession of a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and had many of the firearms unsecured in his bedroom.

Both Meeks and Doyle were transported to VPD for interrogation and were later booked into the Ventura County Main Jail on several felony charges including Possession for sales, Felon in possession of firearms, Possession of a controlled substance and firearms, and Narcotic addict in possession of firearms.

City Code Enforcement responded to inspect substandard living conditions at this residence.

Stabbing

On September 14, at approximately 9:30am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of a stabbing victim in the parking lot of the Chase Bank on Telegraph Rd. Officers, along with Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel, responded to the call and found the victim, later identified 23 year old Felipe Chandler, suffering from a single non-life threatening stab wound to his torso. He was immediately transported to VCMC for treatment of his injuries. After the incident, witnesses reported seeing the suspect board a Gold Coast Transit bus that left eastbound on Telegraph Rd.

Officers located the bus traveling in the area of Telegraph Rd. and Ashwood Ave. and boarded the bus. The suspect, later identified as Ivan Vera, was found inside and taken into custody without incident.

During the investigation officers learned that for unknown reasons Chandler and Vera, who did not know each other, got into verbal argument. It became physical, at which time the victim was stabbed. Vera got onto the bus and left the area.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Vera was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon.

Conspiracy and Burglary Arrests

On September 13 at 10pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from a Loss Prevention Officer at Target reporting that two male suspects were inside the store attempting to break a glass cabinet in an attempt to steal valuable electronic items. Officers arrived on scene and located one of the suspects still trying to break the glass cabinet. The suspect fled through Target to the rear of the store and got into a red sedan that was outside waiting for the suspects. The other suspect, later identified as 32 year old Bakersfiled resident Willie Christer, fled out of the front entrance.

As the red sedan was leaving Target, another officer saw the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped and the suspect that was trying to break the glass cabinet ran away from the car and was not located. The driver of the car, 29 year old Bakersfield resident Kevin Davis, remained in the car along with an uninvolved female passenger. Officers searched the area for the outstanding suspects and located Christer nearby.

After further investigation, officers learned that this was a recent pattern of a group of thieves stealing from Targets in Southern California by working in concert with each other to break into glass cabinets and steal electronics. Due to the quick response by the police officers, the suspects were unable to take any electronics from Target during this incident.

Christer and Davis were both arrested for conspiracy and burglary and were later booked into the Ventura County Jail. The female was released at the scene. One suspect is still outstanding.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle and Arrest

On September 20, at approximately 4pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from the victim reporting that his vehicle was just stolen from the parking lot of Smart and Final, 2750 E. Thompson Blvd. The victim had left his vehicle running and the suspect, later identified as 37 year old vagrant from Northridge Robert Cox, entered the vehicle and drove off. The vehicle was last seen going westbound on Thompson Blvd.

Approx. 5 minutes later, a Ventura Police motor officer saw the vehicle entering northbound highway 101 from Seaward Ave. and followed the vehicle until other units arrived to assist. Once sufficient units arrived, officers conducted a high risk stop and stopped the vehicle in the parking lot of Motel 6 on Harbor Blvd.

Cox was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without incident. He was later booked into Ventura County Jail for stolen vehicle, driving under the influence and for being a post release offender.

The vehicle was returned to the victim.

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.

Stabbing

On September 3, at approximately 5pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from the emergency room staff at Ventura County Medical Center reporting a stabbing victim had just entered the emergency room. Officers arrived and contacted the male victim who was found to be suffering from two non-life threatening stab wounds to his torso.

During the investigation, officers learned the victim was sitting alone in the area of Ventura Avenue and Prospect Street when two passing vehicles abruptly stopped in the roadway. Five male subjects exited the vehicles and began to physically assault the victim without provocation. The victim was stabbed with an unknown type weapon as he tried to defend himself. After the attack, the suspects reentered the vehicles and fled in an unknown direction.

There is no additional information at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed, or has information relating to this crime, is asked to contact the Ventura Police Department at 339-4488

Armed Suicidal Subject

On September 6, at approximately 1pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from employees of O’Leary’s Sidebar, 6555 Telephone Rd., reporting that a customer had just left a suicide note inside the bar and was now in the parking lot, armed with a knife. The note indicated that the subject, later identified as a 49-year-old male vagrant, wanted to force officers to shoot him.

Offices arrived on scene and located the subject in the middle of the parking lot. He was still armed with the knife and was uncooperative with officers. Officers set up a perimeter to contain the subject and protect the public that was in the area. The subject became more erratic as officers tried to negotiate with him and at one point claimed he had additional weapons as he reached into a fanny pack attached to his waist.

A less lethal weapon was deployed, which incapacitated the subject to give officers enough time to take him into custody.

After he was medically cleared for minor injuries he sustained during the arrest, the subject was transported to Ventura County Mental Health for an evaluation.

No officers or any citizens were injured as a result of this incident.

As a precaution, Portola Elementary School was placed on temporary lockdown until the incident was resolved.

Crook Trying To Get Favorite Cheeseburger

On September 7, at 1am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of an audible alarm with video surveillance at the Carl’s Jr on Thompson Bl.

Offices arrived on scene and located the suspect, 39 year old Oak View resident Jennifer Cardinel, inside eating food from the business. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The subsequent investigation revealed that the suspect forcibly pulled open the locked doors to the business while it was closed. She remained inside the business when the officer’s arrived on scene.

The suspect was taken to Ventura County Jail and booked for felony Commercial Burglary and an outstanding felony arrest warrant for vehicle theft.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On September 9, at 12:10pm the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of The Wharf, at 980 Front St. The caller provided the license plate of the vehicle and a registration check revealed it had been stolen from Ventura earlier in the day.

Officers arrived on scene and found the suspect, Cameron Marrufo, 25, Ventura resident in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Marrufo was ordered out of the vehicle where he was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Ventura County Jail and booked for being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

During the last month, Marrufo has been arrested on three different occasions by the Ventura Police Department. He was previously arrested on 08/19/17 for a residential burglary in the 100 block of Brent St. and on 09/07/17 for prowling a residence in the 2000 block of Pierpont Blvd.