Felony Hit and Run with Major Injuries

On September 21, 2023, at about 9:50 am, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls regarding an injury traffic collision on Telegraph Road east of Joanne Avenue. Ventura Police patrol officers responded to that location and found the victim bicyclist lying in the roadway with major injuries to his lower body. Responding officers began an investigation and contacted the Ventura Police Traffic Unit to assist.

Based on witness and victim statements, it was determined that the victim was riding his bicycle westbound on Telegraph Road approaching Joanne Avenue. He was riding lawfully on the right side of the roadway between parked vehicles and westbound traffic lanes. As he was riding, a blue bus was traveling westbound in the #2 lane of Telegraph Road. As the bus overtook the bicyclist, it collided with the bicyclist’s handlebars, knocking the bicyclist to the ground. The bus’s rear wheels then ran over the bicyclist. A passing motorist, who was traveling behind the bus, observed the collision and stopped to render aid to the bicyclist. The bus continued its route without stopping to render aid or exchange information.

Based on a witness statement, it was determined that the involved bus belonged to the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). With assistance from the VCTC, officers were able to locate the bus and contact the driver. Based on statements, video evidence, and physical evidence on the bus, the driver (Edgar Landeros) was placed under arrest and booked at the Ventura Couty Jail for felony hit and run.

The Ventura Police Department would like to remind motorists that vehicles must leave a safe distance for bicycles when overtaking them. 

Possession of Imitation Firearm

On Sept. 30, at 8:40am, an alert passenger traveling in a Gold Coast Public Transit bus noticed another passenger (Rafael Vera 30 years) in possession of a handgun. The witness reported the sighting to an additional bus driver, who in turn notified the Ventura Police Department. Officers quickly located the bus parked at the Ventura Transit Center and began strategically removing passengers from the bus, during which time Vera was detained. The investigation revealed that Vera had hidden an imitation handgun and a black ski mask on the bus upon officers’ arrival. Officers found the imitation handgun had been illegally modified to look like a real firearm.

Vera was later arrested and booked into custody at the Ventura County Jail for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant, possession of a modified imitation firearm, possession of narcotic paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.

Burglary and Vehicle Tampering Arrest

On Sept. 16, at 10:44am, a City of Ventura Employee was in their city vehicle when the suspect, Jonathan Martinez opened their vehicle door and claimed to be a city worker. Martinez was wearing a fluorescent City of Ventura work vest and the city employee did not recognize Martinez as a coworker.

Officers arrived and located Martinez in the back parking lot of City Hall. Martinez was found wearing a city work vest and in possession of a large ring of keys. Martinez is on active parole and his parole agent was contacted. Martinez was arrested for vehicle tampering and a parole violation.

A few hours later, a city worker located a broken window to a supply closet at City Hall. Officers were able to verify that the property Martinez was found in possession of at the time of his arrest, was taken from the supply closet. The interior supply closet door was locked and prevented Martinez from accessing any additional rooms inside City Hall. Martinez was arrested for the burglary and booked at the Ventura County Jail.

Negligent Discharge of a Firearm and Vehicle Pursuit

On Sept.16, at 1:29pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received several 911 calls reporting a large fight with approximately 100 people at the intersection of Main St. and Oak Street. As officers were responding, an additional caller saw a Hispanic male with a bandana covering his face had a handgun tucked in his waistband. The caller reported the Hispanic male with the gun was seen entering a silver Toyota sedan that was now driving southbound out of the area.

While officer were searching the area, an officer reported hearing a single gunshot around Palm St. and Santa Clara Street. Officers saw a silver sedan fleeing the area on Thompson Blvd. and believed the vehicle to be involved.

Ventura PD Officers were alerted to a vehicle crash around Channel Islands Blvd. and Harbor Blvd. in the City of Oxnard. We responded to that area and the vehicle involved in the collision was the same vehicle that fled from our officers. Ventura PD assisted Oxnard PD with a search of the driver and occupants that fled from the vehicle. Ventura Police K9 Deco began a track from the vehicle. Jose Manuel Herrera (37 yrs.) Oxnard resident was arrested.

Possession of a Firearm Arrest

On Sept.17, at 8am, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of W. Harrison Ave. for several subjects trespassing and intimidating a resident in the area. Officers could not locate the suspects and the caller was reluctant to identify the suspects involved.

While investigating this crime, officers spoke with several intoxicated males in the front yard to a nearby house. These same individuals were contacted by VPD officers at 0139 hours after a report of a large fight in the street and reports of several gunshots being heard at the intersection of Harrison Ave. and Olive Street.

Officers advised the drunk males to stay in their home due to their level of intoxication. Minutes later, officers saw Edwin Castro stumbling down Olive St. with Josue Garcia and detained Castro for being drunk in public. While the arresting officer was searching Castro, he located an unloaded handgun in his pocket.

During the arrest of Castro, Garcia interfered with the arrest and was quickly subdued by the arresting officers. No one was injured during the arrest.

Castro was arrested for possession of a concealed firearm and drunk in public. Garcia was arrested for interfering with an arrest. Both were booked at the Ventura County Jail.

Stabbing-Homicide

On August 12, at about midnight the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a stabbing that just occurred in the 3400 Block of Preble Av. Responding officers located one male adult in an apartment suffering from a stab wound to his upper body. Additional officers located the suspect running from the scene. The Victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Ventura Police Department Major Crimes Detectives responded and took over the investigation. The initial investigation revealed that the victim and suspect were roommates. They were involved in a verbal altercation inside their apartment when the suspect stabbed the victim one time in the upper torso.

The suspect, Christopher Rayhogan (9-6-03), was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail for 187 PC Murder.

Anyone with any additional information about this incident is asked to call Detective Tovar at 339-4462

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.

Shooting Investigation with Arrest

The Ventura Police Department has been investigating three separate shootings that have occurred in the Montalvo area of Ventura.

The first shooting occurred on June 8, at 11:00 pm in the 2300 block of Peacock Av. In this incident the suspect shot several times into an unoccupied vehicle.

The second shooting occurred on July 22, at 3:30 am at Peacock Av and Whippoorwill St. In this incident a delivery driver was confronted by the suspect and as the victim was leaving the area the suspect shot several times at the victim striking his car as he left the location.

The third shooting occurred on July 24, at 8:00 am at Peacock Av and Bristol Rd. In this incident the suspect fired several rounds at an occupied parked vehicle and fled on foot from the area.

The Ventura Police Department Gang unit began investigating these cases and identified the suspect as 36-year-old Anthony Trejo, a documented gang member, who was responsible for the shootings. An arrest warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at an occupied vehicle was obtained for Trejo.

On July 27, at 2:00 pm, Gang Investigators and other detectives located Trejo in the 6300 block of Bristol Rd. During the contact Trejo resisted arrest and was found to be in possession of a concealed handgun.

Trejo was arrested for his outstanding arrest warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at an occupied vehicle. He was arrested for additional charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, and resisting arrest.

Trejo was subsequently booked into Ventura County Jail.

These incidents are still under investigation and anyone with information about these crimes are asked to call Detective Reginato at 805-339-4466.

Brandishing a Firearm in Public

On July 27, at approximately 8:00 pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a subject brandishing a handgun outside of his parked vehicle. The subject was also heard yelling racial slurs, however no victims of a hate crime were located.

Officers arrived within minutes and located Watson in his vehicle who was argumentative with the officers. The officers conducted a high-risk stop and Watson was detained.

An eyewitness to the event identified 41-year-old Ventura resident Jerrod Watson as the subject that brandished the firearm. Officers located the firearm and ammunition in Watson’s vehicle. Officers also located narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia.

Watson was booked into the Ventura County Jail for various gun charges, brandishing of a firearm, and possession of drug paraphernalia. A search of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows Watson has prior arrests and convictions for possession of a deadly weapon, criminal threats, forgery, and petty theft with priors.

Dog Fatally Shot After Attacking Officer

On August 3, at approximately 4:00 am, officers were on routine foot patrol at the South End of Ash St. As the officers were walking towards several vehicles parked in the area. They observed a dog off leash that immediately headed toward their direction.

As the dog approached one of the officers, it circled behind him, and attempted to bite him. The officer attempted to avoid the dog however it continued aggressing him. The officer drew his service weapon and fired several rounds at the dog striking the dog several times. The dog died at the location.

Ventura Police Major Crimes responded to investigate the incident as is customary whenever a firearm is discharged in the course of an officer’s duties.

The ensuing investigation revealed that the dog, an approximately 45-pound Belgian Malinois mix, aggressively approached the officers and attacked one officer twice before that officer fired his service weapon striking the dog to prevent being bitten. The investigation revealed that there was another incident on April 9 involving the same dog. In that incident the dog was off leash and had bitten a female victim in Plaza Park. The owner was issued a citation for dog of leash during that encounter.

Ventura County Animal Control took custody of the dog and performed a necropsy for official cause of death.

As a reminder dog owners are responsible for their dog to be on leash anytime they are on any public street, alley, lane, or place of nature. There are designated off leash areas at Camino Real Park and Arroyo Verde Park during designated hours.

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.

Residential Burglary Arrest

On July 15, at approximately 7:00 pm, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call from a resident who had arrived home to find the suspect, later identified as 35-year-old vagrant Angelita Reynosa, inside the house. When the homeowner entered the house, Reynosa exited and fled on foot. Arriving officers located Reynosa on Telegraph Rd. Reynosa had removed a screen from an open window and ransacked the home before fleeing with the victim’s property.

Reynosa was arrested and booked for First Degree Residential Burglary at the Ventura County Jail.

Stabbing-Homicide
UPDATE SUSPECT IDENTIFIED

Update: The Ventura Police Department has concluded a three-month investigation into the stabbing death of Jose Contreras. The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Ventura resident Dillon Mansell. He is currently in federal custody for a violation of federal probation. He now has a warrant for his arrest and will be returned to Ventura to face charges of murder and commission of a crime as a gang member.

Mansell has prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, gang involvement, assault on a police officer, drug charges and weapons violations.

************************

On April 16, at approximately 1:00 an, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a stabbing that just occurred in the 200 block of East McFarlane Dr. Responding officers located one male adultsuffering froma stab wound to his upper extremities. The victim, Jose Contreras 31 years of Ventura, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Ventura Police Department Major Crimes Detectives are currently investigating this incident. The ensuing investigation revealed that the suspect and victim knew each other and were at a gathering at a residence on East McFarlane. An argument ensued resulting in the victim being stabbed. Thisinvestigation is ongoing and may be gang related. At this time there are no suspects in custody.

Anyone with any information who may have witnessed this event is asked to call Detective Nuñez at 805-339-4328.

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.

DUI Checkpoint

While conducting a DUI and DL checkpoint on June 30, 2023, the Ventura Police Department had one DUI related arrest. The checkpoint was held on Harbor Blvd. south of Schooner Dr. from 2100 hours and concluded at 0100 hours. The following is a list of the enforcement activities that took place at, or as a result of the checkpoint:

• 707 cars passed through the checkpoint
• 472 drivers were contacted and screened through the checkpoint
• 13 FST’s were conducted
• 8 drivers cited for VC12500(a), Unlicensed Driver
• 1 driver cited for VC14601.1(a), Driving on a suspended license
• 1 driver cited for VC22350, Speeding

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired. Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Interrupted Vehicle Theft

On June 29, at approximately 6:30 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call from a female reporting that her husband was in a physical fight with a man that was inside their vehicle near the intersection of Eagle St. and Partridge Drive. When the suspect, 32-year-old Oxnard resident Richard Gonzalez, was confronted by the victim’s husband, Gonzalez physically assaulted the victim’s husband and started to run away. The victim’s husband chased Gonzalez, and the Gonzalez brandished a firearm, took the husband’s cell phone, and fled to a neighboring apartment complex.

Officers in the area quickly set up a perimeter and a K9 Officer started a track of Gonzalez. Officers deployed a drone and in conjunction with the K9 track, and Gonzalez was located by the drone in the backyard of an apartment, actively trying to open the rear sliding door and window.

Officers were able to take Gonzalez into custody and recovered the stolen cell phone. The ensuing investigation revealed the Gonzalez was attempting to steal the victim’s car when confronted by the owner and Gonzalez was stopped by officers as he actively tried to enter an occupied apartment. The firearm used by Gonzalez was located and found to be a toy cap gun.

Gonzalez was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Attempted Vehicle Theft, Robbery, Brandishing an Imitation Firearm, Battery, Prowling, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Commercial Burglary Arrest

On July 2, at approximately 2:30 am, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call from an alert security guard that a male subject, later identified as 24-year-old Oxnard resident Skyler Blanchette, was breaking into a business on California St by smashing a window and kicking the front door. Officers arrived on scene within a minute and located and detained Blanchette.

Blanchette was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for Commercial Burglary. A search of the Superior Court of California website shows Blanchette has been convicted of Exhibiting a Deadly Weapon, Shoplifting, Battery, Petty Theft, and First Degree Residential 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.

Ventura Police Patrol, School Resource Officers

On June 14, at approximately 12:45 pm, Officers responded to the 500 Block of Mills Rd. regarding a stolen vehicle sighted in the area. A Patrol Officer located the vehicle parked in the Pacific View Mall parking structure with two occupants, later identified as 34-year-old Oxnard resident Andrew Rodriguez and 24-year-old Oxnard resident Adriana Romero. The driver, Rodriguez, immediately fled on foot. A School Resource Officer who was working at an event at Anacapa Middle School, located Rodriguez running onto the campus, and took Rodriguez into custody without incident. The school was briefly placed on a lockdown during the apprehension.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Rodriguez had caused deliberate damage to the vehicle at a cost of approximately $15,000. Rodriguez was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Felony Vandalism, and Resisting/delaying/obstructing an Officer.

Romero was arrested and booked at Ventura County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon (knife), Hit & Run, and Resist, Delay Arrest

On June 18, at approximately 2:00 am, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call that a stabbing had just occurred in the 6500 block of Telephone Rd. The suspect, later identified as Pedro Hernandez, fled in his vehicle, striking two parked cars while driving away at high speed. Officers arrived in the area and found the victim, who was transported to VCMC and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Additional officers attempted to locate the suspect.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the victim and Hernandez were in a verbal altercation outside of a bar when Hernandez pulled a knife and began stabbing the victim, hitting him once in the shoulder. The victim escaped the attack, and Hernandez ran to his vehicle and fled the scene.

Officers were able to locate a possible residence and found Hernandez’s car. Hernandez was inside his home and refused to come outside. Ventura Police Department Detectives responded to assist with the investigation. In the afternoon of June 18, detectives took Hernandez into custody without incident outside his residence.

Hernandez was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for Assault with a Deadly Weapon, misdemeanor Hit & Run, and Resist, Delay a Peace Officer.

Child Abandonment

On June 23, at approximately 1:00 am, employees of a business in the 4200 block of Transport Street heard a female screaming in the rear alley way. They approached the female and saw her remove her pants and immediately give birth to an infant. She placed the infant on the ground, severed the umbilical cord, and quickly ran away from the area. The witness employees called 9-1-1, picked up the infant, and cared for it until paramedics arrived. The infant appeared healthy and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. As of this writing, the infant is in stable condition. Officers conducted an extensive search for the female but were unable to locate her. She is described as a white female with short dark hair who appeared to be unhoused. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is encouraged to call 9-1-1 or 805-650-8010 to report it, as she may be in need of medical care.

The Ventura Police Department would like to remind the community that the State of California has a “Safe Surrender” program in which a parent or person with lawful custody can safely surrender a baby confidentially, and without fear of prosecution, within 72 hours of birth, at various locations, including hospitals and fire stations. For further information and additional Safe Surrender locations, refer to the State’s website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/safely-surrendered-baby/surrender-sites.

Pursuit of a Stolen Electric Bicycle

On June 23, at approximately 8:00 am, Officers attempted to stop the suspect, Belmontes for riding an electric bicycle (E-bike) against on-coming traffic near the intersection of Olive St. and Main Street. The suspect refused to stop and actively tried to evade the officers. The suspect dumped the E-bike and fled on foot to the rear of a business at the intersection of Main St. and Ventura Avenue.

A motor officer in the area deployed a drone and located the suspect in a rear fenced yard to a nearby art studio, armed with pruning shears. Officers set a perimeter and evacuated the occupants of the studio. Once confined, the suspect threatened to kill officers if they approached and brandished the shears. Officers began negotiations with the suspect to seek a peaceful surrender.

After approximately 1 hour, the suspect agreed to surrender, and officers took him into custody. As officer were searching the suspect, they found a small pair of pointed scissors concealed in his clothing in a manner that made the weapon easily accessible. The ensuing investigation revealed the suspect tried to enter the art studio through a sliding glass door while being pursued by officers. No one was injured during this arrest.

Criminal Threats, Resist/Delay Peace Officer Arrest

On June 24, at about 9pm, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call that Uzyel Carrasco, 24-year-old Ventura resident, was disturbing inside a home in the 2800 block of Sherwin Ave. and had threatened to shoot his family members. Fearing for their safety, the family fled the residence and met officers away from the home. When officers arrived in front of the house, Carrasco jumped out of a back window and hid in a rear shipping container. Officers briefly established contact with Carrasco, who refused to come out and surrender. He then stopped communicating.

Based on the circumstances and the chance for violence, the police department went into a Tactical Alert, and the Ventura Police SWAT Team was activated to assist at the scene. Ventura Police Detectives continued the investigation, and after obtaining a search warrant, the SWAT Team entered the shipping container and took Carrasco into custody. Officers also located and seized two firearms.

Carrasco was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for Criminal Threats, a felony, and misdemeanor Resist, Delay a Peace Officer. No one was injured during the incident

Assault to Commit Rape Arrest

On May 24, 2023, at about 0815 hours the Ventura Police Department received a 911 call of an assault that had just occurred in the 200 block of South Dunning St.

Responding officers located a 75-year-old female who had been a victim of an attempted sexual assault. The suspect had fled the scene on foot and was apprehended by officers a few blocks away.

The ensuing investigation revealed that the victim was gardening in her front yard when the suspect, Lathanial Walker, approached her on foot. He stood for several minutes watching her as she continued to garden, he then moved in closer to her and dropped his pants. Walker grabbed the victim from behind and began to drag her toward a more secluded area. The victim yelled for help and neighbors intervened to save the victim from further trauma. Walker fled towards the mall and was apprehended by additional responding officers.

Walker was subsequently booked into Ventura County Jail for charges of aggravated kidnapping, assault with the intent to commit rape, and elder abuse.

A records check of Walker indicates he was released from custody in Ventura County on March 18^th, 2023, stemming from a burglary arrest in Oxnard in August 2021. Walker has numerous arrests from Virginia Beach, VA, Jacksonville, FL, and other states including assault on a police officer, robbery, assault on a child, and stolen vehicle.

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 a Deadly Weapon

On February 1, at approximately 11:00 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 9-1-1 call reference a fight that had just occurred in a parking lot to an apartment complex. Responding officers arrived within minutes and located the victim who was suffering from severe injuries to his face. Ventura City Fire and AMR paramedics attended to the victim on scene and transported him to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed the victim was confronted by the suspect in the parking lot to the apartment complex. The victim feared for his safety and ran for help knocking on doors at nearby apartments. The suspect chased the victim down and began punching the victim and kicked him several times in the head while he was on the ground. The suspect stomped on the victim’s face leaving an impression of his shoe. A nearby resident broke up the attack and the suspect fled in a vehicle.

Officers following up on the case located surveillance video from the apartment complex and identified the suspect as a resident, 25-year-old Ventura resident Coy Duvernay. Officers located the suspect and evidence of the crime in an apartment, and he was arrested. The suspect was booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon at the Ventura County Jail.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon Arrest

On February 14, at approximately 3:00 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received several 911 calls about a male subject swinging a knife in the Vons shopping center parking lot. Officers responded to the area and detained 38-year-old vagrant Ramon Carbajal, identified as the subject with the knife.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Carbajal was in the parking lot, swinging the knife when he approached several juveniles and began slashing at them. He struck one of the juveniles in the back, not injuring her. The youth fled into a local business and asked to call the police.

Carbajal was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and booked at the Ventura County Jail. A search of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that since 2019 Carbajal has been convicted of ten misdemeanors and felonies, including Vehicle Theft, Vandalism, Petty Theft, Vehicle Tampering, Brandishing with a Knife, Resisting Arrest, Disturbing the Peace, and Identity Theft.

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.

Commercial and Vehicle Burglary Arrest

On April 5, at approximately 3:45 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call from a clerk about a subject attempting to sell suspected stolen property at a business. Patrol officers arrived and detained the subject, 38-year-old vagrant Darryl Ellis, and an associate. Street Crimes Unit Detectives also responded to assist. The property Ellis was attempting to sell was determined to have been stolen during a vehicle burglary which occurred the day prior. Detectives also recognized Ellis from a commercial burglary which occurred in March of 2023.

Detectives searched a storage unit Ellis had access to. Detectives located additional stolen property from the vehicle burglary from the day prior as well as clothing believed to be worn during the commercial burglary from March 2023.

Ellis was arrested for Commercial Burglary and Vehicle Burglary and he was booked at the Ventura County Jail.

Armed Robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon

On April 8, at approximately 9:30 pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received multiple calls of a subject threatening with a knife in the 1200 block of South Victoria Avenue. A loss prevention agent from Vons called dispatch to report the same subject, 26-year-old vagrant Garrett Powell, had just committed a theft from the store and was following Powell, who was still holding a knife.

Officers located Powell on Victoria Ave., north of Ralston St. and he discarded the knife prior to officers taking him into custody.

The ensuing investigation revealed the loss prevention agent saw Powell conceal a bottle of alcohol inside the store. When the loss prevention agent stopped Powell at the exit and demanded the property back, Powell produced a knife and swung it at the loss prevention agent. The loss prevention agent was not injured in this incident and continued to follow Powell, giving updates to his location until officers were able to locate and take Powell into custody.

Garrett Powell was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Stabbing Homicide

On April 11, at approximately 7:00 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a stabbing that just occurred near the public restrooms at Surfers Point adjacent to the Promenade. Responding officers located one male adult suffering from multiple stab wounds to the upper torso.

The victim, 39-year-old Raymond Morales, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. The Ventura Police Department Major Crimes Detectives are currently investigating the incident. The ensuing investigation revealed that two suspects approached the victim near a picnic table and were involved in an altercation prior to the stabbing. After the attack the suspects fled on foot to the public parking lot at Surfers Point and left the scene in a vehicle northbound on Figueroa St. This investigation is ongoing and may be gang related.

Driving Under the Influence Collision with Injuries

On April 14, at 9:53pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a vehicle roll-over at the intersection of Walker St. and Moon Drive. An officer in the area arrived on scene within one minute and found a Subaru Outback on its roof, in the bushes of 5700 Moon Drive.

The occupants of the vehicle were found outside the vehicle with visible injuries. The driver, Louden Flartey, was tending to his 22 yera old female passenger who had sustained injuries during the collision. An officer speaking with Flartey could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage and began an investigation for driving under the influence (DUI).

At the conclusion of the investigation, Flartey was arrested. An eyewitness to the collision said Flartey’s vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed and lost control while trying to make a turn.

Flartey’s passenger was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for minor injuries. Flartey was booked at the Ventura County Jail for felony driving under the influence and causing injury.

Anyone with any information who witnessed this event or has possible video footage of the incident is asked to call Detective Avila at 805-339-4478.

Stabbing-Homicide

On April 16, at 1am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of a stabbing that just occurred in the 200 block of East McFarlane Dr. Responding officers located one male adult suffering from a stab wound to his upper extremities. The victim, Jose Contreras 31 years of Ventura, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Ventura Police Department Major Crimes Detectives are currently investigating this incident. The ensuing investigation revealed that the suspect and victim knew each other and were at a gathering at a residence on East McFarlane. An argument ensued resulting in the victim being stabbed. This investigation is ongoing and may be gang related. At this time there are no suspects in custody.

Anyone with any information who may have witnessed this event is asked to call Detective Nuñez at 805-339-4328.