On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at 11:15am, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a suspicious vehicle at the 1100 block of Mockingbird Lane and Sierra Vista Avenue, with a male and female subject inside, the male exhibiting indecent exposure. A Fillmore deputy arrived on the scene and contacted the subjects, with the male, Juan Torres, 28 of Oxnard, providing a false name, then fleeing the area. According to a passerby the subject was observed running northbound on C Street before taking an unknown direction. Fillmore deputies were advised on where the subject was last seen but units were unable to locate him. The female, Victoria Nunez, 19 of Camarillo, was arrested, and the vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded. At 4:10pm, deputies arrested Torres in the Rite Aid parking lot, after a short foot pursuit. Torres was booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility for evading arrest, trespassing, providing a false name, and residential burglary. He remains in jail awaiting his court appearance with bail set at $40,000. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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Fillmore Patrol Deputies arrested a wanted felon who was on probation and fled from deputies, committing several other crimes in the city of Fillmore.

On the morning of April 19th, 2023, a resident called our dispatch center to report two suspicious subjects loitering in a parked vehicle at Mockingbird Lane / Sierra Vista Avenue in the city of Fillmore. When patrol deputies arrived to investigate, a male party provided a false name and immediately fled on foot. The male suspect was identified as Juan Torres, a wanted felon who was on probation for vehicle theft. The female in the vehicle was identified as Victoria Nunez. Nunez was subsequently arrested for possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. Nunez was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for narcotics violations.

Deputies coordinated a search and were unable to locate Torres. Several hours later, another resident called and reported seeing Torres on their property via a surveillance camera in the 400 Block of B Street. Deputies returned to search for Torres who fled again on foot and ran into the yards of several residences. Deputies coordinated a search and watched as Torres ran into the Balden Towne Plaza shopping center. Deputies contacted Torres and were able to take him into custody.
During the investigation, a resident in the 1100 block of Mockingbird Lane called and reported a burglary at their residence. The investigation revealed Torres was the suspect, and he illegally entered the victim’s residence and stole personal items, including a bicycle. Torres was in possession of the stolen property, which was returned to the victim. The victim’s bicycle was also recovered.

Torres was booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility for evading arrest, trespassing, providing a false name, and residential burglary. Torres remains in jail awaiting his court appearance with his bail set at $40,000.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to increasing and strengthening community partnerships and utilizing technologies and evidence-based practices to enhance collaborative efforts at reducing crime and improving public safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has also established a secure database to log information about who has surveillance systems. If you would like to register your surveillance information and allow authorities to contact you, should a crime occur in/or near where your cameras are installed we kindly ask that you email the Fillmore Police Department at FillmorePD.CameraShare@ventura.org.

Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

At Tuesday night's City Council meeting Captain Eduardo “Lalo” Malagon, Fillmore’s New Chief of Police, gave a presentation to encourage the city to purchase four Giant Talon eBikes for the Fillmore Police Department.
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9A. Approved 3-2
9B. Approved 3-0 (2 recused themselves)
9C. Approved 5-0
9D. Approved 5-0
9.A CONTINUATION OF PROPOSITION 218 HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER RATES FOR 2023 THROUGH 2027.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that City Council accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 water rates by adopting Resolution No. 23-3914. Further, staff recommends that City Council accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2028 sewer rates by adopting Resolution No. 23-3915.
9A. Approved 3-2

9.B REQUEST Approve Resolution No. 23-3925 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE LEGISLATIVE BODY OF CITY OF FILLMORE COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 5 (HERITAGE VALLEY PARKS) ON BEHALF OF IMPROVEMENT AREA B, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDED INDEBTEDNESS IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $21,000,000 TO FINANCE PUBLIC FACILITIES, EXECUTING CERTAIN DOCUMENTS AND PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF THE BONDS AND TAKING CERTAIN OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH

RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution No. 23-3925 of the City Council of the City of Fillmore acting in its capacity as the legislative body of the City of Fillmore Community Facilities District No. 5 (Heritage Valley Parks) on behalf of Improvement Area B, authorizing the issuance of bonded indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $21,000,000 to finance public facilities, executing certain documents and providing for the sale of the bonds and taking certain other actions in connection therewith.

9B. Approved 3-0 (2 had to recuse themselves)

9.C CONSIDERATION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATES, INC. (WRA) FOR EVALUATING THE VIABILITY OF WELLS AND PREPARATION OF TECHNICAL BID SPECIFICATION PACKAGE.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Approve a reallocation of $39,600 within line item 453-6850-0046-765 from the Well 5 rehab project for this contract; and 2. Authorize the Mayor to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Water Resources Associates for an amount not-to-exceed $39,600.

9C. Approved 5-0

9.D PURCHASE OF FOUR GIANT TALON E BIKES
REQUEST That the City Council approve the purchase of four (4) Giant Talon E Bikes.

The Fillmore Police Department (“FPD”) is requesting the Fillmore City Council consider authorizing the purchase of four (4) E-Bikes to be used by members of the FPD to enhance the services provided to our residents here in Fillmore. The bicycles would augment uniformed patrol services throughout the city by allowing deputies to undertake bicycle patrols. The implementation of bicycle patrols will offer benefits to the community, including high visibility, and engagement with our community members. Patrolling on bicycles makes our deputies more accessible and personable to the public and will help facilitate more proactive and positive police contacts with members of our community than can occur with deputies in motor vehicles. The bicycles will also allow our deputies easier and more efficient access to areas throughout the city that are not patrolled as often due to difficult accessibility by motor vehicles.

Staff contacted Newbury Park Bicycle Shop and obtained a quote for the purchase of four (4) EBikes. The total cost of the E-Bikes with the needed accessories is $12,226.29. The custom vinyl wrap for the bicycles is $2,788.50. The total purchase price for the E-Bikes and vinyl wrap is $15,014.79.

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council authorize the purchase of four (4) E Bikes to enhance patrol services to the residents of Fillmore using money already allocated and budgeted for traffic enforcement. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no new fiscal impact to the city as sufficient funds exist in the traffic enforcement line item in the approved budget to fund this purchase.

9D. Approved 5-0

Courtesy Fillmore Fire Department

The Fillmore Fire Department in conjunction with the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council has received a grant to dispose of flammable vegetation in residential neighborhoods that are adjacent to wildland areas. This grant is being applied to all residents who reside in Fillmore. All residents who live within three hundred yards of a wildland area are especially encouraged to take advantage of this free opportunity.

On Saturday, May 6th, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, all residents in the City may haul any tree/brush trimmings direct to the Fillmore City Well #4 location at 728 Goodenough Rd. for free disposal. Any ornamental vegetation and cut grass/weeds will also be accepted if it is free of any dirt, metal, plastic, or other trash.

Residents are especially encouraged to have professional tree trimmers, trim up palm trees, of all dead palm fronds as these can be especially hazardous when caught on fire. All palm fronds will accepted.

Any questions may be directed to the Fillmore Fire Chief at 524-1500 ext. 226.

On April 18th, 2023, a brandishing of a firearm occurred in the area of Silverstrand Beach placing two beach goers in fear for their safety.

On April 18th, 2023, at about 2:26 pm, two adult victims were visiting the area of Silverstrand Beach in the unincorporated area of Oxnard. While attempting to park their vehicle, the victims encountered several subjects drinking near another nearby vehicle. One of the subjects, later identified as 20-year-old Jadon Franco, brandished a “Glock” style handgun that was in his waistband. Fearing for their safety, the victims left the area and called 9-1-1. Deputies responded to the area and located a group of subjects matching the description provided by the victims. Franco was identified as the subject who brandished the firearm at the victims, however, was unarmed at the time he was contacted by deputies.
Deputies and the Sheriff’s K9 later located a black Glock style “Ghost Gun” loaded with 10 live rounds of ammunition in the magazine, which was hidden in the area Franco had first been observed.

Franco was later arrested, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Detectives obtained a signed search warrant for Franco and his residence, which was served with the assistance of Detectives from the Fillmore Police Department, Ojai Police Department, and West County Special Enforcement Unit.

Based on the investigation, Franco was booked into custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura, California for the following charges: 417.3 PC / Brandishing at a Person in a Motor Vehicle, 29800(a) PC / Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, 30305(a) PC / Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, 25850(a) PC / Carry a Loaded Firearm in Public, 29815(a) PC / Possession of Firearm as Express Condition of Probation, 25400(a)(2) PC / Carrying a Concealed Firearm (pistol), 25400(c)(4) PC / , and PC 27545 PC.

A ghost gun is a home-made firearm that lacks serial numbers or any markings that allow it to be tracked. Ghost guns are normally used by persons who are prohibited from being in possession of a firearm, to circumvent background checks, and legal means of purchasing a firearm. Ghost guns are illegal to possess unless they are properly registered through the state.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident: Brandishing of a Weapon / Firearm Arrest
Report Number: 23-48825
Location: Sawtelle Avenue @ Island View Avenue, Silver Strand
Date & Time: 04/18/2023 @ 1426 hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Headquarters Detectives, Fillmore Police Detectives, Ojai Police Detectives, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Sheriff’s K9 Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
(S) Jadon Franco Oxnard 20
(V) Male Oxnard 24
(V) Female Oxnard 24

Prepared by: Senior Deputy Juan Cordova
Approved by: Captain Ron Chips