Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Mauricio Chavez, 20 of Fillmore, was arrested on a July 1st Search Warrant at a residence in Fillmore. The charges were possession of a gun by a prohibited person and possession of a Billy Club.

While incarcerated, deputies arrested Chavez for attempted murder and street terrorism in connection with the June 23rd shooting of two victims in Ventura. The shooting took place in the 300 block of West Ramona Street in Ventura.

Just before 4 p.m. officers responded to a shooting call and found a 9-year old girl suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound to her leg. Shortly after, deputies discovered a second shooting victim, a man in his mid-30’s, in the 300 block of West Park Row. Deputies believed he was shot in the same location as the girl and fled on foot.

Both victims were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Deputies are working to identify more suspects.

Attending the police reunion were (l-r) Elmo Sheeran, Paul Glanville, Duke Bradbury, Kim Garret, Tony Morales (arms crossed), Mark Trimble and Max Pina. Organizers of the event were Ernie Gutierrez, Duke Bradbury, Max Pina, Tony Morales. Fillmore Explorers came out to help serve the dinner. What a great event!
Enlarge Photo

A police reunion took place at Brett Park, Piru, on Saturday, July 25th. The reunion has been in the works for about 18 months. Fillmore Police Department was well represented by the following officers: Duke Bradbury, Mark Dominguez, Dave Foster, Paul Glanville, Tom Jones, Larry Matthews, Manuel Martinez, Frank Michael, Tony Morales, Max Pina, Sr., Dwayne Steel, Mark Vest, and Jess Zavala. Dispatchers Nathali Bagaso, Gloria Cardona, Lani Farr, Melinda Little and Maria Rangel also attended. Many FPD members are still working in law enforcement or a related field. Some are retired and 33 have passed away, about six in the last eighteen months. Besides FPD attending, there was Santa Paula PD, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies, and CHP from the Ventura office (Fred Baskin who helped get radar enforcement on SR-126 from Santa Paula to Interstate 5). There were about 50 people in attendance, family, associate members, and most important our volunteers who helped with serving BBQ and music. Law enforcement from Oxnard PD, Ventura PD, and Simi Valley PD have showed interested in future reunions. An interesting note is that Larry Carpenter started as a reserve office with Fillmore, then regular officer, reaching a rank of Sergeant. He then transferred to the Ventura County Sheriff’s
Office, where he became the top law enforcement officer in the county.

Cal Fire

While most of California saw a rise in temperatures, firefighters across the State continued to make good progress on the 9 active large wildfires. Today 5,200 firefighters from CAL FIRE, US Forest Service, local fire departments and other federal agencies are on the frontlines of the active fires actively fighting them. Firefighters will once again be bracing today for hot temperatures, low humidity and gusty north winds. In fact a Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for elevated high fire danger for parts of upper northwest California due to low humidity and strong winds. This warning is expected to last through Wednesday morning.

With the high level of fire activity and the increase in hot and dry temperatures, CAL FIRE is urging everyone to be extra cautious outdoors. On hot and windy days it doesn’t take much for a wildfire to spark so all residents and visitors are urged to be careful. One Less Spark, means One Less Wildfire. For more visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

Fires of Interest:
**CAL FIRE Incidents**
Lowell Fire, Nevada County (more info…)
You Bet area, west of Alta
*2,233 acres – 30% contained
* Evacuations in effect
* 1,800 structures threatened
* Full containment expected on August 1

Wragg Fire, Napa & Solano Counties (more info…)
Off Hwy 128 near Lake Berryessa
*6,591 acres – 80% contained
* All evacuations lifted
* Full containment expected on July 28
Queen Fire, Humboldt County (more info…)
Off Hwy 169, 5 miles southeast of Pecwan
*200 acres – 42% contained

**Federal Incidents**
Willow Fire, Madera County (more info…)
US Forest Service - Sierra National Forest
Southeast of Bass Lake
*1,739 acres – 5% contained
* CAL FIRE continues to assist

Cutca Fire, San Diego County (more info…)
US Forest Service - Cleveland National Forest
Palomar Mountain
*167 acres – 75% contained
*CAL FIRE continues to assist

Kyburz Fire, El Dorado County (more info…)
US Forest Service – El Dorado National Forest
Off Hwy 50 in Kyburz
*75 acres – 98% contained

Pines Fire, Los Angeles County (more info…)
US Forest Service – Angeles National Forest
Near Big Pines, northwest of Wrightwood
*200 acres – 85% contained

Lake Fire, San Bernardino County (more info…)
US Forest Service – San Bernardino National Forest
south of Big Bear Lake
*31,359 acres – 98% contained

Washington Fire, Alpine County (more info…)
US Forest Service – Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
South of Markleeville
*17,790 acres – 99% contained

Keeping the trail clean for others to enjoy. DogPots are available along bike path for dog-owner convenience.

Each morning, Monday thru Friday four friends meet in the parking lot of Shiells Park at around 7:30 and walk together, on the bike path, from Old Telegraph Rd south to the City of Fillmore Water Reclamation Plant and back! A distance of about 3.5-miles. With them are their two dogs, Tasha and Rylee. Now, although they are long-time Fillmore residents, their bond is not that they grew up together, or were they high school classmates, or even lived in the same neighborhood! Their bond grew from the love of the early Fillmore mornings, native birds, wildlife, and the enjoyment of sharing conversations on just about anything, with just about anybody they meet along the way!

During their trek one of them carries wild bird seed to scatter for the many quail, pigeons, sparrows, robins, and a cottontail, or squirrel, who live in this wildlife oasis bordering the Sespe Creek. Conscious that they are visitors to this area the two walking their dogs dutifully pick up deposits left by Tasha and Rylee and carry the baggies back home for disposal.

While walking they have made many acquaintances who travel this same path, by bike, walking, or jogging! Many times it is a simple good morning that is said, but more often than not a hug, or handshake is given and a moment, or two of conversation about family, health, or, I'll admit, even some juicy gossip! There are the two Volkswagen Enthusiast brothers who walk nearly every day, but don't walk together because their pace and distance walked are different. There is George the Fillmore Ambassador endlessly waving at passing motorist. There are the carriage-pushing mother's running at an amazing clip with their sometimes sleeping children. And, there are many other anonymous dog walkers, joggers and an occasional coyote, pond turtle, bullfrog, or abandoned dog all populating this two-mile stretch. All are benefactors of a cheery "Good Morning" from this group of four!

The four consist of Navy Veteran, longtime Fillmore Lion's Club member, and retired business owner of Jack Stethem Painting, who in 40 years of business has painted many homes and commercial buildings in and around Fillmore. Jack, Jack's wife Jolene, who worked for 39 years as the Fillmore High School Principal's Secretary, and is now retired. Jack and Jolene have two sons, Brian 56 of Fillmore, and, Mark, who passed in 2011 in Phoenix, AZ. Jolene walks her Grand-dog, Tasha, a four year old female Bizsla breed. Susan Wilson (Mitchell), a Fillmore native and co-owner, with her husband Rex, of Mikrex Centerless Grinding in Fillmore. Susan has one daughter, Aubree, 26 years of Fillmore. Susan walks with her eight year old white Labrador Retriever, Rylee; and, Susan Berdahl (Meyers), also a Fillmore native, housewife and Teacher's Aide for the Fillmore Christian Academy. Susan and her husband Duane have four children, Erin 23, Nicholas 20, Rebecca 17, and David 14.

In addition to being passionate about the wildlife seen daily on the trail, each are very concerned about violations of the leash law they see daily and the failure of picking up after your dog while enjoying the bike path. Although they bring their own bags to pick up after Tasha and Rylee, it is evident others do not, or do they use the provided bags located at the entrance to the trail. Currently only one of the containers that provide the bags is still there near the Fillmore Water Reclamation Plant. The others have been damaged, or removed by vandals. Keeping your dog on a leash is not only the law, State-wide, but is is also for the protection of your dog, other dogs as well as other people using the bicycle path.

On the morning I took this picture it was just another one of the many beautiful mornings we enjoy here in Fillmore! Keep building up those miles Jack, Jolene, Tasha, Susan, Rylee and Susan and sharing your goodwill! I'll look for you again tomorrow!

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A Cockfighting event took place in the fields near the 3000 block of East Telegraph Road, Fillmore on July 18th, at 7 a.m.. Deputies located the operation on the property bordering the Santa Clara River bottom south of East Telegraph Road (SR126).

When deputies arrived, multiple subjects fled the scene, running into the dense brush of the river bottom. Four subjects were detained and ultimately arrested for being involved in the event. They were Fermin Navarro, 32 of Sylmar; Lucio Vasquez-Sanchez, 34 of Ojai; Rodrigo Suarez-Guzman, 28 of Ojai; and Abraham Figueroa, 54 of Piru.

Approximately 39 roosters were located in small cages and confiscated. The event was stopped in the early stages and as a result, no birds were injured. Evidence was found relating to the event, including small sharp knives typically attached to the birds’ legs for use during the fighting. Once attached to the legs, the knives cause severe damage to the opponent, including death. Over $1,000, which was being used for illegal wagering, was also seized as evidence. Ventura Animal Services responded and took possession of the birds.

The Ventura Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for being aware of the operation and notifying deputies. The tip led to a quick response and the birds were ultimately confiscated before any fighting occurred.

Prepared by: Sergeant Dave Sparks