A large contingent of law enforcement resources shut down the 400 block of Harvard Boulevard in Santa Paula for the continued search for an armed and dangerous subject.

Deputies and Officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Paula Police Department, and Oxnard Police Department shut down the 400 block of Harvard Boulevard in the City of Santa Paula, in the continued search for Maximo Hernandez. Hernandez is wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred on September 18, 2024, in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula near the 12th Street Bridge. Multiple deputies searched the Santa Clara riverbed that day but did not locate Hernandez.

Today, law enforcement learned Hernandez had been staying at the Harvard Motel located at 482 Harvard Boulevard. It was also believed Hernandez was still in possession of the firearm used on September 18. Specialized units from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Oxnard Police Department responded and begun efforts to evacuate residents and motel patrons in and around the Harvard Motel. This large contingent of resources included the SWAT team, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Tactical Negotiations Unit, Ventura County Sheriff’s K9 Unit, and the Ventura County Aviation Unit. A room-by-room search was conducted of the Harvard Motel, but Hernandez was not located.

At the time of this incident, Isbell Middle School, located across the street, was in session. Law enforcement officials from the Santa Paula Police Department were in contact with staff and the school was placed in lockdown as a precautionary measure. Isbell School was removed from lockdown protocols at around 1:00 pm and normal operations resumed.

Hernandez is currently wanted in connection with the shooting that occurred on September 18. Hernandez should be considered armed and dangerous. Hernandez is a Hispanic male, about 5’-4” inches tall, about 150 pounds, and has a tattoo on his neck that says “BC”. He also has a tattoo on the right side of his head that says, “Jonathan”, and a tattoo on his left forearm that says, “Hecho en Mexico” with an eagle.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Hernandez is asked to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511, 911, or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), callers can remain anonymous. Tips can also be sent by email to Detective Dustin Heersche at dustin.heersche@ventura.org or Detective John Grunhold at john.grunhold@ventura.org

Prepared by: Detective Chris Dyer
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

The Fillmore Police Department will be conducting a Driver’s License/DUI Checkpoint on September 27th, 2024, at an undisclosed location(s) within the city limits.

DUI Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

The Fillmore Police Department reminds drivers, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription medications, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2023, more than 4,000 people were killed in alcohol and drug-involved crashes on California roads and many more injured. Locally, over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 15 lives of our family and friends.

The Fillmore Police Department offers these reminders to ensure a safe and fun night that doesn’t involve a DUI if you plan on drinking or taking medications that can affect your ability to operate a vehicle:

Always use a designated sober driver, ride-share, cab or other public transportation to get home.
If you see someone who is clearly impaired attempt to drive, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to find a safe way home.

Report drunk drivers by calling “911.”
If you or someone you know is hosting a party, offer non-alcoholic drinks, and monitor those who are drinking and how they are getting home

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Fillmore Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nature of Incident: Driver’s License / DUI Checkpoint

Location: Fillmore, Ca
Date & Time: September 27, 2024 (6:00 PM to 2:00 AM)
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department, Camarillo Police Department – Traffic Bureau, Thousand Oaks Police Department – Traffic Bureau

Prepared by: Sergeant Gunnar Dike
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon, Chief of Police

City Tennis Courts Soon to be in a Pickle

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2024, at 6:30 PM

All items passed 5-0

9.A AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONVERSION OF TENNIS COURT TO COMBINED TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL COURT AT THE FILLMORE TENNIS AND SWIM CENTER, PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 24-04. RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Horizons Construction Company, Inc. (“Horizons”) for the conversion of a tennis court to a combined tennis and pickleball court at the Fillmore Tennis and Swim Center, Project Specification No. 24-04 (“Project”).

SR - AWARD CONTRACT TO CONVERT TENNIS COURT TO COMBINED TENNIS & PICKLEBALL.PDF

9.B INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 15.39 TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PROHIBITIONS ON DANGEROUS FIREWORKS

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council: Approve the first reading to introduce Ordinance No. 24-975 to amend Fillmore Municipal Code (“FMC”) Chapter 15.39 to increase the penalties for violations of the dangerous fireworks prohibition in the FMC and adopt and implement provisions articulated in the State Fireworks Law, codified under Health and Safety Code section 12500 et seq., concerning increased administrative fines and misdemeanor penalties for violation of the City’s dangerous fireworks prohibition located in FMC Chapter 15.39.

SR CITY OF FILLMORE FIREWORKS ORDINANCE.PDF

9.C ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE 2021-2029 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”)

SR - 2024 HOUSING ELEMENT.PDF. RECOMMENDATION: City Staff requests the City Council consider and adopt Resolution 24-4030, adopting the 2021 2029 6th Cycle Housing Element with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and direct City staff to submit all remaining Housing Element documentation to the California Department of Housing and Community Development Department (“HCD”).

On September 7th, 2024, Fillmore patrol deputies responded to a call-for-service in the 400 block of Ventura Street, City of Fillmore, reference a commercial burglary report. The victim reported their small business had been broken into overnight and had several thousand dollars cash and work equipment stolen. The initial patrol investigation identified (S) Jesus Hernandez and (S) Kelly Cone as being responsible for the commercial burglary. Hernandez and Cone are Fillmore residents and convicted felons with over twenty years of criminal history. Hernandez is also a documented member of a local criminal street gang.

Based on their investigation, patrol deputies had probable cause to arrest Hernandez and Cone for felony violations of Penal Code § 459 – Second Degree Commercial Burglary and Penal Code § 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy. This information was disseminated to patrol deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station. In the early-morning hours of September 10th, 2024, a diligent patrol deputy contacted Cone while she was walking in the 300 block of Central Avenue, Fillmore. Cone was arrested for the above-listed violations and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.

Later that same day, detectives assigned to the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation observed Hernandez loitering with several local criminal street gang members in the 400 block of 1st Street, Fillmore. Detectives coordinated with patrol resources and developed a plan to contact and arrest Hernandez. Upon observing patrol deputies, Hernandez and the fellow gang members fled into a nearby residence to avoid contact. Patrol deputies and detectives quickly surrounded the residence to prevent Hernandez from fleeing into the neighborhood. Additional resources were requested, prompting the response of the West County Special Enforcement Unit and the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit to the scene. After approximately one hour of negotiations, numerous individuals, including Hernandez, exited the residence without incident and without force being used. Hernandez was arrested for the above-listed violations, as well as a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code § 148 (a)(1) – Resist, Obstruct, Delay of a Peace Officer. Four additional subjects contacted at the residence were also arrested for various misdemeanor violations of the penal code.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and a vehicle at the scene associated to Hernandez. During the subsequent search, evidence was recovered further connecting Hernandez to the commercial burglary. Hernandez and Cone remain in-custody at the Ventura County Main Jail with a bail amount of $50,000.00 bail.

Nature of Incident: Career Criminals Arrested for Commercial Burglary
Report Number: 24-114098
Location: 400 Block of Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: September 10th, 2024, at 9:33 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Sheriff's Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit, Fillmore Bureau of Investigations.

Suspects
(S) Jesus Hernandez Fillmore 38
(S) Kelly Cone Fillmore 44

Prepared by: Detective Dustin Heersche
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Pictured is Eric Guzman at Ventura County Fire Station 28 in Piru.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Eric Wreesman

I would like to share a story about a local young man who has achieved his goal of serving his community in a firefighting capacity.

Eric Guzman, 24, born and raised in Piru, set a goal to become a Fireman as a young kid. When Eric was 16, he became a Fire Cadet with the Ventura County Fire Department at Fire Station 27 in Fillmore, and excelled in the program with his strong work ethic and character.

Eric continued as a Fire Explorer as the program evolved, and never took his foot off the gas as he progressed. He became an ambulance operator with the Glendale Fire Department, eventually obtaining his paramedic license and continued on his path of hard work and dedication.

At the age of 23, Eric achieved his dream of becoming a Fireman for the Ventura County Fire Department. This was his dream not only because it’s where he started as a Fire Cadet, but also the community he grew up in his entire life.
Today Eric works as Paramedic Fireman and continues still to keep his foot on the gas, bettering himself every day, and providing the highest level of service for his community. Eric is proud to live and work in his community, serving in this capacity.

Now that he has obtained his paramedic certification with the County of Ventura, Eric is able to work shifts at Medic Engine 28 in Piru, just blocks away from where he grew up.
Great Job, Eric! Keep up the great work and thank you for serving your community.