Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Honda Accord is the most frequently stolen vehicle in the United States according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau in their 2015 annual “Hot Wheels Report.” The Honda Civic is #2 on their list.

On January 15, 2016, at 4:55 AM, deputies patrolling on Highway 126, east of Wells Road, saw two vehicles on the right side of the shoulder. The deputies stopped to render assistance and investigate but shortly thereafter, they realized one of the vehicles was an unreported stolen Honda from the city of Oxnard.

As deputies attempted to contact the two subjects, Omar Martinez, 20 of Fillmore, attempted to drive way from the scene in his vehicle, which had a flat tire. Deputies briefly chased Martinez but due to the condition of his vehicle, he was unable to maintain control and collided into the center guardrail a short distance away. He was detained by the deputies.

Multiple car keys for Honda vehicles were found attached to the ignition of the second vehicle, a Honda Accord being driven by Daniel Mendoza, 18 of Fillmore. The Honda Mendoza was driving was registered to an address in the city of Oxnard. Neither Mendoza nor Martinez was able to provide the name of the registered owner.

Based on the suspicion that the Honda driven by Mendoza may be stolen, deputies contacted officers with the Oxnard Police Department, who in turn contacted the registered owner. The registered owner confirmed that the vehicle was stolen.

Martinez and Mendoza were arrested and booked for grand theft of a vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of burglary tools. Both were booked at the Main Jail in Ventura.

Prepared by: Detective Javier Chavez