James Alvarez Jr.

In September of 2012, a Thousand Oaks resident placed a personal advertisement on Craigslist, seeking male companionship in the unincorporated area of Piru.

The suspect and the victim exchanged text messages and e-mails then met in Piru late one evening. At the conclusion of their meeting, the suspect stole the victim’s cell phone and portable GPS unit and fled.

The victim reported the crime to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Fillmore Police Department detectives investigated the matter which led to the suspect being identified as James Alvarez of Fillmore. The victim later identified James Alvarez from a photo lineup.

At the time of the crime, James Alvarez was already a fugitive from justice, having an active warrant charging him as a felon in possession of a firearm, in addition to several other misdemeanor warrants. Alvarez was considered armed and dangerous. Based on the Craigslist investigation, Detectives knew Alvarez had returned to the Fillmore area.

On October 16, 2012, deputies received a tip regarding the whereabouts of James Alvarez Jr. Deputies responded to a residence where Alvarez was believed to be. Alvarez was located, but resisted arresting deputies and fled on foot. Through a coordinated effort of Fillmore patrol deputies and a Sheriff’s K9 unit, Alvarez was located a short time later, inside a nearby residence, hiding in a closet. Initially Alvarez refused to surrender, so the Sheriff’s K9 was deployed. He subsequently was taken into custody. He suffered minor injuries and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center prior to booking.

Alvarez was arrested for the warrants, grand theft, resisting arrest, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Alvarez was booked into the Ventura County Jail with his bail set at $250,000.00.

Anyone having contact with James Alvarez through Craigslist, who was the victim of a crime, is encouraged to call Fillmore PD Detective John Fox at 805-524-2235.

Nature of Incident: Craigslist Rip-Off Leads to Arrest of Fugitive
Report Number: 12-23298
Location: 600 Block of Manzanita Drive, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 16, 2012 @ 7:00 PM
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) James Alvarez Jr. Fillmore 26
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre
Media Release Date: October 17, 2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre 805-524-2235 / email anthony.aguirre@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Patti Salas

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).