Video by Bob Crum

Ruben Cendejas Estrada, Fillmore, 42

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Fillmore Police Department, arrested Ruben Estrada for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, hit and run, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

On July 4, 2014, deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance in the 600 Block of Manzanita Drive in Fillmore. Two separate callers reported a male driving a red truck up and down the street challenging people to fight. Prior to deputies arriving on scene, the male driver, later identified as Ruben Estrada, got out of his truck and became involved in a physical fight at the location. Deputies arrived on scene and attempted to detain Estrada as he got into his truck. While a deputy attempted to remove Estrada from his truck, Estrada shifted the truck into drive and accelerated forward. The truck pushed the deputy up against a patrol car and onto the hood of the patrol car. Responding deputies began to pursue Estrada as he drove away from the area. Estrada then directed his truck towards a responding patrol unit nearly missing it. Estrada collided with a vehicle as he fled the area. Estrada stopped his vehicle in a nearby alley and fled on foot through backyards and was later located at his residence where he was arrested without incident.

The deputy pushed onto the hood of the patrol car was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

Nature of Incident: Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Hit and Run / Driving under the influence of alcohol.
Report Number: 14-15190
Location: 600 Block of Manzanita Drive Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: July 4, 2014 @ 8:02 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Ruben Cendejas Estrada Fillmore 42
Prepared by: Sgt. J. Hendren
Media Release Date: 07/05/2014
Follow-Up Contact: Detective J. Fox 805-524-2233
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham.

The July 8, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting was filled to capacity as over 100 people attended, with many coming to speak during Public Comments. There were three subjects of interest brought forth by those who spoke; the Chevron Superfund Site, the Equestrian Center and the Fillmore Western Railroad. Other agenda items included a presentation on access to a renewable energy infrastructure, establishing a Fillmore Development Council, modification of a housing development in the North Fillmore and forming a committee with the Fillmore Unified School District.

The meeting began with a Proclamation to retiring Detective Senior Deputy Taurino Almazan, who twice received Officer of the Year (1994 and 2003) and completed his last day of assignment on June 28, 2014. Almazan began his career in law enforcement in 1979, coming to work in Fillmore in 1989. He was promoted to Senior Deputy in 1996 and was assigned to the Main Jail in Ventura for two years. In October 1998 Taurino returned to Fillmore where he was continuously assigned. Taurino told those in attendance, "I don't regret anything with my career."

The Public Comments lasted almost two hours as speaker after speaker addressed the Council. Julie Longoria, a fifth generation Fillmore resident, voiced her health concerns with the Chevron Superfund Site which is also called the Fillmore Works Project. Others voiced the same concern and asked the Council to not approve moving forward with the project until a more in-depth study has been conducted on the potential health risks to residents.

There were a number of Public Speakers who spoke on Fillmore Equestrian Center's new $2 per day fee ($60 per month) for storing horse trailers along with the requirement that dogs be kept on a leash and the lack of communication from the City. Chuck Brian asked "Where are you (the Council) going with the Center?" adding he had contacted City Hall with questions that were not answered. He informed the Council that the plumbing in front of his horse stall has had a leak for a year and wanted to know what City employee is responsible for its repair. Brian, along with Steve McKinnon from Santa Paula, complained about the Center's lack of direction and said that people are leaving due to the cost.

The cost to CONTINUED »