Felon in Possession of Firearm

On Wednesday, January 20th, at 1:25 p.m., the VPD received a call from a citizen reporting a vandalism that had just occurred to a bench at the Bus Deport, 3330 Telegraph Road. The suspect, Joseph Cruz, was seen using a marker to vandalize the bench and when confronted by the caller, Cruz threatened to harm him. He then left the area.

Officers saw Cruz walking several blocks away. He, along with a female companion, were detained on Dunning Street. During a search of his person, officers located a handgun concealed in Cruz’s pocket. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the firearm was not functional as a real firearm.

He was taken into custody without incident and later booked into the VC Jail.

The female was released from the scene. No one was injured during the incident.

Soliciting a Minor for Sexual Acts

On Friday, January 22nd, during various times throughout the day, members of the Ventura Police Department’s Major Crimes, Patrol Task Force, and Street Crimes units conducted an undercover operation in the city of Ventura. The operation targeted sexual predators that were looking to engage in a sexual act with a minor. It also included an undercover officer posing as a female juvenile prostitute.

During the operation, each male suspect contacted the undercover officer and agreed to pay for specific sexual acts. In each case, it was made clear to the suspect the female they were talking to was a minor.  After negotiating the cost of the sexual act, they were directed to meet at a certain location in the city of Ventura to engage in the sexual act.

When each suspect arrived at the location, they were arrested without incident and found to be in possession of enough cash to pay for the agreed upon sex act.  As a result of this investigation, each suspect was charged and booked into the Ventura County Jail.

The suspects are:

Angelito Baylon, 43 years, Ventura resident

Possession of Destructive Device

On Wednesday, January 27th, at 1:15 a.m., VPD officers were conducting proactive enforcement in the 300 Block of Paseo De Playa. Officers observed a suspicious occupied vehicle in the area and made contact. While speaking with the occupants, Ross Warren and Kambry Cripps, the officers spotted what they believed to be an explosive device under the front passenger seat. The two occupants of the vehicle were removed and detained for further investigation.

The VC Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad was called to the scene. The item in question was in fact determined to be a homemade explosive device. VCSO Bomb Squad rendered the explosive device safe.

Warren and Cripps were booked into VC Jail.

Felon in Possession of Firearm

On Wednesday, January 20th, at 1:25 p.m., the VPD received a call from a citizen reporting a vandalism that had just occurred to a bench at the Bus Deport, 3330 Telegraph Road. The suspect, Joseph Cruz, was seen using a marker to vandalize the bench and when confronted by the caller, Cruz threatened to harm him. He then left the area.

Officers saw Cruz walking several blocks away. He, along with a female companion, were detained on Dunning Street. During a search of his person, officers located a handgun concealed in Cruz’s pocket. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the firearm was not functional as a real firearm.

He was taken into custody without incident and later booked into the VC Jail.

The female was released from the scene. No one was injured during the incident.

Disturbance Call

On January 30, at 1:30pm  Ventura Police Patrol Officers responded to a disturbance call at the Holiday Inn Express.  The uninvited suspects (Anthony Hernandez, 25, Kamora Corona,18  and Eric Arevalo, 24 all of Oxnard) had arrived at a private party inside of a room at the hotel, and once they were asked to leave, they caused a disturbance and refused to leave.  When police arrived, the suspects initially refused orders to leave the room.  After a lengthy delay, the officers were able to enter the room and made contact with the suspects.  The investigation led to the following arrests: Hernandez was arrested for being in possession of a concealed handgun and trespassing, Corona was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and trespassing and Arevalo was arrested for delaying/ resisting officers and trespassing.  The suspects were later booked into Ventura County Jail for the listed charges.

Mail Theft

On January 29 the Ventura Police Department received several calls from residents in the hillside area near Brodiea Ave., reporting the theft of mail.  This was of out-going mail placed in mailboxes.

The Ventura Police Department would like to remind citizens that nobody is immune to crime, but there are steps you can take to help make a difference:

• First and foremost, we urge everyone to be vigilant and responsible neighbors and community members. Please immediately report any and all suspicious activity to us at 650-8010 (24 hr. non-emergency number) or 911 in the event of an emergency.
• It is recommended that residents avoid putting any out-going mail in their mailboxes, and place mail directly into an official postal service mailbox or give it directly to the mail carrier.
• Arrange for neighbors or family members to pick up mail or packages when delivered.
• Install a secure or interior mailbox.
• Schedule mail or packages to be picked up at the nearest delivery location.
• Connect and keep up with our department as we issue crime alerts, press releases, crime maps, and other valuable crime and safety information by following us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/venturapd, or visit our website at: www.venturapd.org.

The investigation into these incidents is ongoing. Anyone with information related to these crimes or may possibly have video surveillance of the suspect(s) is urged to call the Ventura Police Department at 339-4325, or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. If your information leads to an arrest, you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Train vs. Pedestrian

On Monday, January 4th, at 8:56 p.m., the VPD was notified by Union Pacific officials regarding a pedestrian being struck by a freight train on the railroad trestle near the intersection of California Street and Harbor Boulevard. Officers found the victim lying on the railroad tracks. Ventura Fire personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

According to the train conductor, the northbound train was travelling at approximately 35 mph as it approached the train trestle, when the victim was seen walking on the tracks. The victim had her back to the train. The conductor began sounding the warning horn, but the victim did not respond or move from the train’s path. All emergency attempts were made to stop the train, but the train did not stop in time and struck the victim.

It has been determined that it was a suicide.

Possession of a Loaded Firearm

On Monday, January 4th, at 2:45 p.m., the VPD received a call from a residence in the 200 block of Ute Lane, reporting that a female family member had just left the residence with her husband, Fred Norris, and that the family member had injuries as a result of a physical bout with Norris. Norris and the family member were visiting and had left in a vehicle.

Officers saw the vehicle traveling on Ventura Avenue and initiated a traffic stop. Norris, who was driving, came to a stop.

Officers determined the female was injured as a result of domestic violence. In addition, officers searched Norris’ vehicle and found two concealed and loaded firearms inside.

Norris was arrested and booked into the VC Jail.

The female victim refused any medical attention.

Foot Pursuit

On Thursday, January 7th, at 12:41 p.m., Special Enforcement Team detectives were in the 100 block of Comstock Drive conducting a follow up on an investigation when they saw a wanted person, Jason Pulido, walking in the area. As they attempted to stop Pulido, he ran. After a brief foot pursuit, Pulido ran into a residence and barricaded himself inside. Additional officers and resources arrived in the area to assist. After 90 minutes, Pulido came out of the house and surrendered. He was taken into custody and later booked at VC Jail.

Foot Pursuit

On Friday, January 8th, at 2:25 p.m., Patrol Task Force officers were investigating an ongoing problem of trespassers and illegal campers in the area of the 2500 block of Vista Del Mar Drive. As the officers approached the vagrant camp, Lindsay Fleischer and Christopher Cruz fled. They ran onto the 101 freeway, which impacted the traffic flow, the officers pursuing them. Because of the safety concerns, a traffic break was enacted on the southbound 101 freeway near Seaward which stopped all southbound traffic in that area. As the traffic break was set up, the suspects were able to hide from officers, and once the traffic break was in place, a large area search was conducted.  During the search, both suspects were located and arrested.

Fleischer and Cruz were booked into VC Jail. No one was injured during this investigation.

Vehicle Burglary

On Saturday, January 9th, at 11:57 a.m., an alert citizen who was surfing at Surfer’s Point saw the suspect looking inside of her car, which was in the parking lot adjacent to the beach. The victim paddled back to shore, and by the time she reached the parking lot, the suspect had opened all four doors of the car and was inside of the vehicle, rummaging.  The victim confronted the suspect, grabbed him to prevent him from leaving and held him until officers arrived.

The suspect, Gordon Gleason, was detained by officers. He had found the victim’s hidden keys and accessed the locked car with them. He was later booked at VC Jail. The victim did sustain a minor injury during the incident, but medical aid was not necessary.

Armed Robbery

On Monday, January 11th, at 2:45 p.m., the VPD received a call of a theft that occurred at the Winco on 4750 Telephone Road. Officers responded to the scene and attempted to locate the suspects, but they were not located.

Officers learned that the suspects selected several items in the store and concealed them in a bag. Both suspects exited without paying for the items and were contacted by a loss prevention (LP) officer for Winco. After the LP officer asked one suspect to return the stolen items and to go back into the store, she refused to comply. The second suspect then brandished a Taser at the LP officer and told the LP officer to let her go. The LP officer backed away both suspects fled.

On January 12th, at 1:45 p.m., the Oxnard PD received an anonymous call from a citizen reporting that the female suspect, Maria Lopez, and the male suspect, George Martinez, were seen at a park in Oxnard. The caller had recognized Lopez and Martinez as being pictured on social media. Officers from Oxnard responded to the park, Mandalay County Park, 1600 Harbor Boulevard, and detained them.

VPD took custody of Lopez and Martinez. Both were transported booked into the VC Jail.

Prowling

On Wednesday, January 13th, at 11:48 a.m., the VPD received a call from a construction worker reporting a subject prowling near a residence in the 2900 block of Seaview Avenue. The caller was working at a nearby residence and witnessed the subject, Paul Parish, entering several backyards. Officers found Parish in the backyard of a residence and detained him.

Officers determined Parish was not one of the homeowners and did not have permission to be on any of the properties he was seen entering. Parish was arrested and later booked into the VC Jail.

Prowling

On Friday, January 15^th, at 7:34 a.m. the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from a resident in the area of the 8300 block of Balboa St., who reported seeing two subjects walking up the driveway of a neighbor’s residence.  The caller said they did not recognize the subjects as living at the residence.

Officers arrived on scene and observed the two subjects near the corner of Balboa St. and Lakewood Ave.

As the officers attempted to detain the subjects the male, later identified as Domingo Cervantes(36 years, Ventura Resident), immediately fled on foot towards Highway 126.  Officers lost sight of Cervantes as he ran onto the highway, although several motorists then began calling saying he was running onto the center divider.  With the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, vehicle traffic was briefly stopped while officers searched the highway.  Cervantes was spotted and attempted to flee a second time, but was taken into custody without incident.

The female, later identified as Angelica Cacho (24 years, Ventura Resident), was immediately detained when stopped.  She was later arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for prowling, providing false information to officers and misdemeanor warrants.

After being treated at VCMC for a hand injury he sustained while fleeing from officers, Cervantes was booked into the Ventura County Jail for prowling, resisting arrest and a felony warrant.

Bank Robbery

On January 15th, at 3:21p.m., the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call from an employee of Chase Bank reporting that a bank robbery had just occurred at the bank branch at 2499 Harbor Blvd.  Upon arrival of the officers, they determined the suspect (White Male, 55-60, Bald, wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans and brown shoes) had already fled the bank and was last seen leaving the area on foot.

During the investigation, officers learned the suspect entered the bank and approached the counter.  He handed the clerk a note stating he was robbing the bank and demanded the clerk give him money.  No weapon was seen.  The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money, and he fled the bank.

Vagrants Booked

On January 15th, at 2p.m. officers with the Ventura Police Department Patrol Task Force were attempting to locate a wanted subject who was possibly living in the Santa Clara river bottom adjacent to the 3700 block of Olivas Park Dr.

As the officers searched the area they located the wanted subject, Sarah Fox ( 56 years, vagrant Ventura) and two other subjects identified as William Kemp (51 years, vagrant Ventura) and Tracy Hurst (47 years, vagrant Ventura). All three were detained as the officers conducted a records check.

Hurst and Kemp were also found to have outstanding warrants for their arrests and all three were taken into custody without incident.

During his arrest Kemp was found to be in possession of over three ounces of suspected methamphetamine and a large amount of US currency.

All three suspects were escorted out of the river bottom and transported to the Ventura County Main Jail and booked.

Possession of Stolen Property

On Thursday, December 17th, at 2:30 a.m., unknown suspects smashed a window of the Trek bike store, located at 4060 East Main Street, and stole five bicycles.

On December 21st, VPD Street Crimes Unit detectives received information that a local vagrant, Timothy Nelson, was in possession of one of the stolen bikes and that he frequented a camp below Telephone Road near the train tracks.

Detectives responded to this location and located Nelson along with a stolen Trek bike. Nelson was arrested for possession of stolen property and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.

Nelson was later booked at the VC Jail.

Two other vagrants were located in the camp and arrested for unrelated offenses.

Sandra Dillard was arrested for an outstanding parole warrant and Jose Capo was arrested for possession of narcotic paraphernalia.

The other stolen Trek bikes were not located.

Armed Robbery

 On Saturday, December 26th, at 5:47 a.m., the VPD received a call of a robbery that had occurred at the USA gas station at 887 North Ventura Avenue. Officers learned that an unknown male wearing a black ski mask entered the business and brandished a silver handgun, pointing it at the clerk, Ivan Mejia.

The suspect, a white male, demanded the money from the register, and then fled from the business westbound towards Barnett Avenue. Officers searched the area and were unable to locate any suspects matching the description. Mejia was unharmed during the commission of this crime.

Commercial Burglary

On Saturday, December 26th, at 10:00 a.m., the VPD received a call of a commercial burglary at the Salzer’s Records store, at 5777 Valentine Road. The business owners reported that they had received a security alarm activation the previous day, when they were closed for business. They had checked the exterior of the business, found it to be secure, and thought it had been a false alarm.

On Saturday, employees discovered that a glass display case was shattered inside the business and numerous items of merchandise were missing.

An officer reviewed the video and got a good description of the suspect, who appeared to be a vagrant. The officer located Torin Davey at a nearby fast food establishment and recognized him as the suspect who was seen on video committing the burglary. Davey was also found to be in possession of several items that were taken during the burglary. Davey was arrested and booked at the VC Jail.

Resisting Arrest

On Saturday, December 26th, at 4:00 p.m., a VPD officer was patrolling the area of the Ventura Pier, 668 Harbor Boulevard, when he observed a subject he recognized as having felony warrants for his arrest. The subject, Michael Fiegel, was sitting with several other subjects underneath the pier.

The officer contacted Fiegel, who immediately became uncooperative. Once the officer’s back up arrived, they attempted to take him into custody, but he resisted. Fiegel tried to hit the officers and grabbed the officer’s bullet resistant vest, scratching the officer’s neck. He continued to resist until a taser was deployed, which allowed the officers to take him into custody.

After being cleared at VCMC for minor injuries he sustained during the arrest, Fiegel was booked into the VC Jail.

Arson Arrest

On Sunday, December 27th, at 8:21 a.m., the VPD received a call from William Skinner reporting that his ex-girlfriend, Jacqueline Zavala-Lopez, was disturbing his residence in the 5300 block of Basie Street and attempting to break his front window. Before officers arrived, Zavala-Lopez had left the area. Skinner received a message from Zavala-Lopez telling him to check his vehicle, which was parked in an apartment complex parking lot across the street. It was discovered Zavala-Lopez had intentionally set his vehicle on fire.  The VC Fire Department was dispatched and extinguished the fire.

Officers worked with the Skinner, who convinced Zavala-Lopez to meet him in downtown Ventura. Zavala-Lopez was spotted by officers near the Starbucks, where she was taken into custody.

Zavala-Lopez was arrested and booked into the VC Jail.

The fire department personnel determined Skinner’s vehicle was a total loss.

Robbery

 On Wednesday, December 30th, at 6:30 p.m., the VPD received a call reporting a robbery. The victim, Michael Hurtado, was approached by three suspects in front of Red Barn Liquor, located at 1285 North Ventura Avenue. The suspects confronted Hurtado and demanded money from him. Then, they physically attacked Hurtado by punching and kicking him. Hurtado sustained minor injuries but they were not life threatening.

All three suspects were described as Hispanic males, 25-30 years old. They were all wearing dark clothing, and fled in an unknown direction. The investigation is ongoing.

Vehicle Pursuit

On Thursday, December 31st, at 2:27 a.. the VPD received a call from the victim of a road rage incident, stemming from a disturbance at the Golden China Restaurant. Earlier in the evening, the victim asked the suspect, Adam Wareham, to leave the restaurant due to his behavior. As the restaurant was closing, Wareham returned to the restaurant and began following the victim. The victim felt threatened so he called 9-1-1.

Officers located Wareham in the area of Victoria and Ralston, and initiated a traffic stop.   Rather than stopping his vehicle, he accelerated. The pursuit continued in the residential neighborhoods surrounding the Pacific View Mall. The vehicle was located abandoned near Grove Street and Foothill Road.

Wareham was found hiding in the barranca near Hall Canyon. He was taken into custody and booked at the VC Jail.

Residential Burglary

 On Tuesday, December 8th, at 7:21 a.m., an alert neighbor called the VPD and reported a possible residential burglary in progress at a residence in the 100 block of Emma Avenue. Patrol were able to detain both suspects, Richard Cohrt and Danielle Lee, as they were leaving the house. The suspects were found in possession of stolen property from the residence. Cohrt was later booked into VC Jail on the charges of conspiracy and burglary, as well as an unrelated warrant. Lee was also booked into VC Jail.

Attempted Armed Robbery

On Saturday, December 12th, at 12:19 a.m., the VPD received a call from the victim, Michael Brown, reporting that a suspect, Rayvonn Richardson, just attempted to rob him of his cell phone while walking in the 2700 block of E. Main Street.

Brown told officers he was walking down the street when he was approached by Richardson, who asked to use his cell phone. When Brown asked for his cell phone back, Richardson pulled out what appeared to be a small handgun, pointed it at Brown and threatened to shoot him. Brown grabbed his phone and fled the area. He then notified the police.

Richardson was located by officers and detained. Richardson was booked into the VC Jail. While inside the jail, he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance.  Richardson was also booked for possession inside of a jail facility.

While conducting follow-up on this case, investigators learned that the suspect committed two separate robberies that occurred at different locations. The crimes occurred on 10/21/15, when Richardson robbed Jiles Sanabria, and 10/22/15, robbing a 16 year old juvenile. All 3 of the cases were submitted to the District Attorney’s Office and robbery charges were filed against the suspect.

Possession of a Firearm

On Sunday, December 13th, at 2:15 p.m., officers from the VPD, along with deputies from the VC Sheriff’s Department, were monitoring a motorcycle event at a restaurant in the 700 block of S. Seaward Avenue. Deputies observed a subject, Jeffrey Wilhite, leaving the parking lot on his motorcycle and conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation. When deputies contacted Wilhite, he admitted to being armed with a loaded handgun.

Two additional motorcyclists with Wilhite were detained. Upon searching him further, Wilhite was also found to be in possession of metal knuckles and knives. He was arrested and later transported by the deputies to the VC Jail. Wilhite was booked for carrying a loaded firearm and possession of metal knuckles.

The two other motorcyclists were released.

Felony Vandalism

On Sunday, December 13th, at 9:05 p.m., a Ventura Police K9 officer observed a male subject who appeared to be vandalizing a gas pump at the 76 Gas Station located at 1121 S. Victoria Avenue.

The officer stopped and attempted to contact the suspect, Daniel Godinez, who immediately fled, running southbound on Victoria Avenue. Officers pursued Godinez as he ran back and forth across Victoria Avenue before stopping just south of Gaviota Street. As officers approached Godinez, he obtained a large rock from the side of the roadway and hurled it at the K9 officer, striking his patrol vehicle. Godinez then violently resisted officers as they attempted to take him into custody. The K9 was deployed and Godinez was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Godinez was transported to the VCMC where he was treated for minor injuries he incurred as a result of the K9 deployment. He was later transported to the VC Jail where he was booked.

Attempted Robbery

On Tuesday, December 15th, at 5:45 a.m., the VPD received a call of a robbery. Officers arrived on scene and learned that the victim, Jeffrey Warren, was jogging in the area of 2161 Pierpont Boulevard when he was approached by a Hispanic male. The suspect struck Warren in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. Warren was then hit and kicked by one, possibly two other suspects.

While Warren was down, the suspects searched him, looking for valuables. The suspects then got into a light colored sedan and fled the area.

Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects.

The victim received minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.

Armed Robbery

On Tuesday, December 15th, at 10:50 p.m., the victim was walking west along the Highway 101 overpass pedestrian bridge near Johnson Drive when he was approached by a group of males.

The suspect, a Hispanic male, confronted the victim as he attempted to pass. The suspect brandished a long gun, which he had concealed under his clothing, and demanded the victim’s property. Fearing for his safety, the victim relinquished an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the area.

The suspect was last seen walking east on the pedestrian bridge towards the city of Oxnard. Officers checked the surrounding area but were unsuccessful in locating the suspect. The victim was not injured as a result of this incident.

Armed Robbery

On Tuesday, December 1st, at 7:45 a.m., the VPD received a call from a victim in reference to an armed robbery. The victim was walking to her vehicle parked in the parking lot of her apartment complex. The suspect startled the victim and pointed a handgun at her. The suspect demanded the victim’s property, and she complied with the suspect’s demands. The victim was unharmed during the commission of this crime.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his 20s, wearing a blue beanie and bandana. The investigation is ongoing.

Elder Abuse

In late October 2015, VPD Street Crimes Unit detectives began investigating a residential burglary in which a large amount of jewelry had been stolen from an elderly couple.

The wife of the 91 year old victim suspected that her husband’s caregiver may have been involved in the theft. The value of the items stolen was estimated at over $6,700.00.

Detectives followed up on the information provided by the victims and were able to identify the caregiver, Valerie Olmos, as the person who had pawned some of the stolen jewelry at a local business.

A search warrant for Olmos’ residence was obtained and on Thursday, December 3rd, in the 100 block of Leighton Drive, detectives served the warrant and took Olmos into custody for burglary and elder abuse. During the search of her residence no additional stolen jewelry was located, however detectives did locate a controlled substance and narcotic paraphernalia.

Olmos was later transported and booked into the VC Jail.

Shooting With Arrest

On Friday, December 4th, at 3:53pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received numerous calls regarding a shooting that had just occurred in the area of Hill Road and Telephone Road.  Patrol officers and detectives responded to the area, however initially they did not locate any potential victims or the suspect.  As the search continued in the surrounding neighborhoods, officers located the suspect running away from the scene on Swift Avenue south of Ralston Street.  The suspect, Jonathan Sabalza, 19 years of Ventura was detained by the officers, and during the initial contact with him, a loaded handgun was found.  The victim was never located.

The investigation revealed the suspect had been involved in an argument with the unknown victim. During the argument, the suspect pulled out the gun and fired one round in the direction of the victim.  The suspect and the victim then fled the area.  It does not appear that the victim was struck by the bullet.  At the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect was booked into Ventura County Jail on the charges of assault with a deadly weapon, street terrorism, carrying a loaded firearm, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance and a firearm and an unrelated no bail warrant for violation of his Post Release Offender status.

Armed Robbery

On Friday, December 4th, at 10pm the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of a robbery that had just occurred at the Gasco Station on North Ventura Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and learned that an unknown male wearing a black ski mask, described as an  Hispanic male 25-35 years of age entered the business and brandished a black semi-auto handgun pointing it at the clerk Alfredo Villagomez.

The suspect demanded the money from the register and the clerk’s cell phone. The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money and his personal cell phone. The suspect fled northbound from the business on foot. Officers searched the area and were unable to located any suspects matching the description.

Assault With A Cane

On Saturday, December 5th,  at noon the Ventura Police Command Center received several 911 calls of subjects physically fighting, one armed with a cane, at the Bus Depot, 3330 Telegraph Rd.  Before officers arrived on scene, it was reported the subject with cane had hit a female in the head.  Upon the arrival of officers, they contacted the victim, Kristen Kleider (36 years, vagrant).

Kleider told the officers that she had gotten into a verbal altercation with the suspect, later identified as Mark Lemmon( 55 years Ventura)  Both were waiting for a bus at the bus depot.  Several other witnesses reported that Kleider was causing a disturbing when she confronted Lemmon and got into an argument.  Lemmon then struck Kleider in the head with his cane.

Kleider was checked on scene by Ventura City Fire, but only had a complaint of pain.

Lemmon was still at the scene and arrested.  He was booked into the Ventura County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon.  No one else was injured as  a result of this incident.

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Child Sexual Abuse Arrest

On Monday, October 26th, at 4:30 p.m., the VPD received a report of lewd conduct with a child. A juvenile victim reported to a patrol officer that Mathew Boyd, 41 years old, had touched her in a sexual manner.

Detectives began a follow up investigation and spoke to several additional victims. One of the victims interviewed is now an adult, and told investigators the crime occurred in 2006. All of the victims identified Mathew Boyd as the suspect that had touched them in an inappropriate manner

On Monday, November 11th, Mathew Boyd turned himself into detectives at the VPD. He was arrested and later booked at the VC Jail for lewd contact with a juvenile.

Robbery

On Tuesday, November 10th, at 6:15 a.m., the VPD received a call in reference to a carjacking in the parking lot of 11111 Citrus Drive. Officers contacted the victim. The victim reported he was delivering newspapers in the complex when he was approached by the suspects, two Hispanic males. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s money while the second suspect jumped into the driver’s seat of the victim’s running vehicle. After a short exchange, both suspects then sped off in the victim’s vehicle.

Officers located the vehicle a short distance away in the same complex. Officers, with the assistance of a Ventura Sherriff’s K9 unit, searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects. The suspects took the victim’s cell phone and wallet during the incident.

Resisting Arrest

On Monday, November 9th, at 6:52 p.m., an officer was patrolling the downtown area when he observed a suspicious subject loitering and possibly attempting to burglarize a business in the 200 block of East Santa Clara Street. The officer detained the subject and began checking the area to see if he was committing a crime. Moments later, a second subject, identified as Llovani Gutierrez, suddenly appeared from the same area of the business and fled on foot. The officer gave Gutierrez several commands, but he refused to stop running. The officer then deployed his police K-9.

After a brief foot pursuit, and with the assistance of the police K-9, the officer caught and detained Gutierrez at the corner of Main Street and Palm Street.

After being cleared at VCMC for injuries he sustained from the dog bite, it was discovered that Gutierrez had given false information and that his real name was Geovany Salinas. Salinas was booked into the VC Jail. The initial subject that was detained by the officer fled from the scene and was not located.

Attempted Vehicle Burglary

On Friday, November 13th, at 7:25 a.m., the VPD received a phone call from an alert citizen who reported seeing suspects attempting to break into parked vehicles, near Champlain Avenue and Neath Street. Patrol officers were sent to the area however, prior to their arrival, the suspects fled. The responding officers searched the surrounding neighborhood and located one of the suspects, Miguel Hernandez, on Northbank Drive east of Petit Avenue. Through the course of the investigation, officers were able to confirm he was one of the suspects. He was also found to be in possession of “shaved” keys, which he was using to attempt to open the vehicle doors.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Hernandez was booked into VC Jail. The second suspect was not located. It was discovered later that the vehicle Hernandez had been driving had been stolen out of Oxnard.

Assault On Oxnard Officer

On Thursday, November 19^th, at 11:40 a.m. an Oxnard Police Officer was retrieving equipment from his patrol car at the Ventura County Medical Center. As he was retrieving his equipment, the suspect, Adam Barcenas (53 years, Oxnard resident) approached the officer.

Barcenas was holding a brick and was about to throw the brick at the officer when the alert officer noticed the suspect, drew his firearm, and began to order Barcenas to drop the brick. The suspect complied with the commands of the officer and dropped the brick.

Ventura Police responded to assist and Barcenas was taken into custody without incident. Barcenas was subsequently booked into Ventura County Jail for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer.

Shooting

On Friday, November 20th, at 7:40 p.m. Ventura Police patrol officers responded to a call of a shooting that had just occurred between two vehicles in the 9300 block of Telephone Road.  When officers arrived, they located the victim parked in a nearby parking lot.  He was not injured during the shooting; however his vehicle had been damaged by a single gunshot which had traveled through the front windshield of his car. The investigation revealed the victim and the suspect had been involved in a “road rage” incident.  During the incident, the suspect shot one round at the victim and then fled the area.  Officers searched the area, however the suspect, Hispanic male adult driving a dark colored sedan was not located.

Shooting

On Monday, October 26th, at 11:30 p.m., the VPD received a call of a shooting inside a residence in the 2000 block of Koala Way.

Officers located the victim inside and suffering from a single gunshot wound to her abdomen. Officers searched the residence and located a male subject, James Lotspeich, in the rear yard who was suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both subjects were treated on-scene by Fire Department and AMR and then transported to a local hospital. They are both in critical condition.

VPD Major Crime detectives were called out to the scene and are conducting an active investigation.  This incident appears to be a result of a domestic disturbance.

Residential Burglary

On Wednesday, October 28th, at 7:55 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residential burglary in progress at 87 North Chestnut. The victim’s neighbor arrived home and noticed Brian Baldwin inside of the residence. The neighbor attempted to make contact with Baldwin through a window. Baldwin threatened to kill the neighbor and retreated back into the house. The neighbor immediately contacted VPD dispatch.

Officers made contact with Baldwin inside of the house and he was taken into custody without incident.

The investigation revealed that Baldwin entered the home through an open window, took several items from the residence and loaded them into the bed of a truck nearby. Baldwin then returned to the residence to get more property when officers arrived.

Baldwin was booked at the VC Jail.

Sexual Battery

On Saturday, October 31st, at 9:33 a.m., the VPD received a call of a sexual battery that had just occurred inside of the Target store at 4200 East Main Street. The suspect reportedly made sexual comments and gestures to several female patrons inside the store.  He then approached a female employee and grabbed her buttocks. He was confronted by a male patron and then left the store and walked out of the area.

Officers located Aaron Carter, matching the suspect description, a few blocks away. Carter was identified as the suspect and was taken into custody without incident. Carter was booked at the VC Jail.

Criminal Threats

On Monday, November 2nd, at 5:12 a.m., the VPD received call from a resident in the 300 Block of Kern Street. The victim indicated that her adult son, Jorge Zamora, had threatened to kill her with a Samurai sword. Officers were able to safely remove the victim and her other son from the residence. Zamora then barricaded himself in his bedroom and refused to come out. His mother indicated that there were Samurai swords in the bedroom with Zamora.

After several minutes of attempting to contact Zamora, officers entered the residence and found Zamora in his bedroom. Zamora refused all instructions of the officers and was ultimately taken into custody with the use of a Taser. Zamora was found to be extremely combative and under influence of methamphetamine. There were swords in the bedroom with Zamora, however he did not attempt to use them against the officers.

Zamora was booked at the VC Jail.

Resisting Arrest

On Sunday, November 1st, at 1:20 a.m., several officers were on foot in the downtown area when they were hailed by Dargan’s security guards regarding a combative male, later identified as Benjamin Sevier, who was fighting them and refusing to leave the bar, located at 593 East Main Street. As security staff struggled to escort Sevier outside, he continued to physically fight with staff, until officers intervened and attempted to take Sevier into custody.

Officers gave Sevier several commands and ample time to stop fighting and submit to arrest; however, Sevier refused and attempted to punch one of the security guards in the face and started violently kicking at the officers. A Taser device was used, which Sevier attempted to take from the officer. The officer was able to maintain control of the Taser, which, when deployed, did not have an effect on Sevier. Officers had to use physical force to take Sevier into custody.

After being cleared at VCMC for minor injuries he sustained during the arrest, Sevier was booked into the VC Jail.

Possession of a Stolen Vehicle

On Saturday, October 31st, at 11:38 p.m., a patrol officer observed a suspicious vehicle in the area of Victoria and Valentine Road. As the officer initiated a U-turn to investigate further, the vehicle in question made some evasive driving maneuvers. The officer located the vehicle in the 5500 block of Walker Street and initiated a traffic enforcement stop referencing a vehicle code violation. The driver continued to drive for a half mile and yielded on Ralston Street.

Further investigation revealed that the vehicle in question was an unreported stolen vehicle out of Oxnard. The driver, later identified as Jacob Steir, was taken into custody without incident. Steir also had an outstanding no bail felony warrant. Steir was later booked into VC Jail.

Brandishing a Firearm

On Sunday, October 18th, at 8:08 p.m., the VPD received a call from Jose Castillo, who reported a suspect brandished a firearm at him in the 600 block of Riverside Street.

The suspect, Javier Castro, had made threatening statements to Castillo while brandishing a firearm. Castillo feared for his life and called 911. Responding officers located Castro attempting to drive away.

Officers stopped the vehicle Castro was driving at Warner Street and Ventura Avenue and took him into custody. During the search of Castro’s vehicle, officers located a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, ammunition and a high capacity magazine. Castro had previously been convicted of multiple felonies and is prohibited from possessing a firearm and/or ammunition.

Evading Police

On Thursday, October 22nd, at 10:20 p.m., the VPD received multiple calls reporting gunfire on North Dunning Avenue. The callers reported seeing a silver vehicle occupied with multiple subjects fleeing the scene eastbound on Telegraph Road. As officers were responding to scene, they observed a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description driving at a high rate of speed near the Five-Points intersection.

Officers attempted to the stop vehicle but the vehicle failed to yield. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle stopped on Howard Street, near Thompson Boulevard, and the suspect driver, Andrew Hurns, fled from the vehicle on foot. The other four occupants in the vehicle complied with officers’ instructions, and they were taken into custody safely. As for Hurns, he was eventually taken into custody after he was located hiding in a nearby neighborhood.

The subsequent investigation revealed Hurns had threatened the residents at a home on San Luis Street with a replica firearm. The victim, in fear for his safety, armed himself with a real firearm and fired several rounds at Hurns’ vehicle. The bullets struck the vehicle, but no individuals were struck by the gunfire.

The replica firearm and a small quantity of narcotics were recovered from the suspect vehicle. Hurns was booked at the VC Jail.