WELCOME FARM WATCH READERS!

The overall crime rate for this period vs. the same time period last year shows an increase, however, given the raw data, the increase is truly minimal. There were some outstanding arrests made as well as some on-going investigations with solid leads, so we are making definite headway. We always appreciate the assistance of our extensive agricultural community especially when we receive tips/leads that have turned out to be quite valuable over the recent years.

Agricultural Crimes Detective Ray Dominguez had the following update from his activities and investigations around Ventura County:

"In this edition of Farm Watch I’m very pleased to report that we can chalk one up for the good guys! Deputies from the Moorpark Patrol Station in cooperation with detectives from the Ventura Police Department apprehended a suspect connected to multiple fuel thefts throughout the county. The suspect arrested was David Matthew Martinez, a resident of Fillmore.

During the course of the investigation, Ventura Police detectives determined that Martinez made multiple illegal diesel fuel purchases from various commercial fueling stations using the victim’s stolen credit card. The credit card was stolen during a commercial burglary at the victim’s business, but it was not clear how Martinez came into possession of the card. Ventura Police detectives were able to secure video surveillance from the fueling stations that captured Martinez completing the illegal transactions and tied a white 2003 Ford F350 Pickup truck owned by Martinez to the crimes. Following a surveillance operation, Moorpark deputies assisted Ventura Police detectives with the arrest of Martinez. Martinez was later questioned and confessed to using the stolen credit card to make multiple illegal diesel fuel purchases totaling over 600 gallons. An inspection of Martinez’ truck revealed that he had two large auxiliary plastic storage containers he secured in the bed of the truck that he filled with the stolen fuel. Great job by all involved!

Another hot topic has been the rise in reported thefts of landscape equipment. Over the past couple of months, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of thefts reported involving professional landscape businesses being targeted in the county. Areas that have been hit recently include the Highway 118 corridor running between Somis and Moorpark. The suspects have been using cutting instruments including bolt cutters to force entry into conex storage containers. The suspects have been stealing mowers, trimmers, and the like.

Detectives from the various area stations are working together to identify possible suspect(s). In one of the cases, a vigilant neighbor provided some very promising information regarding a suspicious vehicle seen in the area around the time of the reported burglary. He provided a vehicle description including the license plate! Detectives are following up on this lead so I’m withholding the vehicle license plate information at this time, but the vehicle was described as an all-white “U-haul” style truck with a roll-up rear cargo door.

While on the topic of cargo container thefts, I’ve included a link to www.equipmentlock.com/, a business that specializes in the sale of security products. Although I can’t speak from personal experience, and the Sheriff’s Office does not formally endorse this company or its products, I received this information from a very experienced retired L.A.P.D. detective that spoke highly of their products. They have a wide array of products that I believe could be useful in protecting your farm and equipment from theft.

Also a friendly reminder to bring in any equipment left out on the farm. With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, crooks will be out in force looking for opportunities to take your property. Please help us by making it as difficult as possible for them to locate and steal any property."

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance in resolving possible security problems at your farm or business, please give me a call or contact your local Sheriff’s Patrol Station for assistance.

If you have any questions about getting an Owner Applied Number (OAN) issued or have an interest in purchasing security products, please contact me at ray.dominguez@ventura.org.”

Of great importance, I have attached a request from our Sheriff's Office Investigative Bureau regarding any information regarding the full-term fetus that was found in a strawberry field on Central Avenue in Camarillo on May 21st. Please read the attached flyer and contact the investigators listed if you have any information at all regarding this investigation.

The following advice is always wise if you suspect illegal activity on your property:

· Call the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 911.

· Be a good witness

· Note suspect descriptions such as age, height, weight, facial hair, clothing, and shoe type.

· If a vehicle is involved, obtain a license plate number and note vehicle color, body damage, bumper stickers, camper shell, after market tires and wheels, etc.

· Provide the dispatcher with information about the time and last known direction of travel.

If you are not sure of how to address the problem or would like additional crime prevention tips please contact your local Sheriff’s Office substation or Detective Ray Dominguez directly at (805) 384-4726 or by email at ray.dominguez@ventura.org.

Contacts:

Camarillo Detective Shawn Pewsey, shawn.pewsey@ventura.org

Fillmore Detective John Fox john.fox@ventura.org

Ventura Detective Christine Rettura Christine.rettura@ventura.org

Agricultural Crimes Detective, Ray Dominguez at Ray.Dominguez@ventura.org

As always, we would like to thank Sheriff’s Crime Analyst Karen Brown and Det. Ray Dominguez, for this issue’s great crime and alert update.

Be alert and always safe!

Monica (797-6338)

Geoff Dean - Sheriff

John Crombach and Gary Pentis - Assistant Sheriffs