Written by Diana Martinez

Fillmore High School’s Drama Program makes their return to the stage with their production of “Death is Weird” this month on March 28th! Come see this hilarious (but also heartwarming) production at Fillmore High School’s Drama Room.
Discover what happens when Death, the Grim Reaper, is fired from his job and has to learn how to be a human in the body of a teenage boy… newsflash, being a teenage boy is harder than it seems.

This show is being led by four hardworking student directors Cody Sanchez, Presley McLain, Diana Martinez, and Ruby Bronsten! The cast is full of more than ten actors, most of them being high school students including three of the directors (Presley McLain, Diana Martinez, and Ruby Bronsten) as well Rockey Mcdowell, Valentin Garcia, Brandon Monroy, Marilin Curevas, Armando Avila, Nico Furness, Destiny Juarez, Randal Kamradt, and Victoria Horn. The show’s incredible crew members include Syndie Ruiz, Jantizin Mezai, Aaliyah Nunez, and Sandybelle Rangel.

The opening night for this entertaining comedy is Friday, March 28, and will run for two weekends! There are five performance dates (March 28th, March 29th, March 30th, April 4th and April 5th). Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 7 pm and you can buy your tickets with cash ($7 for students/senior citizens and $10 for adults) starting at 6:30 pm at Fillmore High School’s Drama Room (Room 18). The March 30th performance is a matinee show that will begin at 2pm and the doors will be open at 1:30pm.

Come support Fillmore’s young talent and uplift the arts in our community! All are always welcome. We can’t wait to see you all soon.

On 02/28/2025, patrol deputies from the Fillmore Station responded to a report of a residential burglary in the 2000 block
of W. Telegraph Road, located in the unincorporated area west of Fillmore. Arriving deputies spoke with reporting parties
and determined a residential burglary had occurred, along with six stolen vehicles.

On 03/01/2025, California High Patrol (CHP) arrested (S) Orlando Samuel Encinas Martinez, a 30-year-old resident of
Fillmore, for unlawful taking of a vehicle. He was driving a vehicle stolen from the burglary location. Detectives with the
Fillmore Bureau of Investigation collaborated with CHP and patrol personnel and were able to obtain additional information
linking Encinas Martinez to the residential burglary.

On 03/04/2025, Fillmore detectives arrested Encinas Martinez for a violation of Penal Code § 459 – [Second Degree
Residential Burglary] and supplementally booked him at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he was currently in custody
for the stolen vehicle.

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On 03/07/2025, just after 5:00 PM, deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Station responded to the 800 block of Edison Lane in
Fillmore reference 15 to 20 individuals fighting.

Upon arrival, deputies learned the suspects were affiliated with a Fillmore criminal street gang and had fled the area prior
to law enforcement arrival. During the preliminary investigation, deputies determined there was probable cause to arrest
multiple suspects for gang-related crimes including assault with a deadly weapon. Fillmore Station Detectives collaborated
with patrol personnel on the investigation and quickly identified several suspects.

At about 6:14 PM, Fillmore detectives and Sheriff’s K9 Unit located four gang members involved in the incident in the
unincorporated area of Fillmore known as Bardsdale. As deputies approached, the suspects fled on foot. Two suspects, (S)
Joel Alonzo, who is on parole, and a juvenile male were quickly apprehended while the other two suspects fled into nearby
orchards.

An extensive search was conducted for the two outstanding suspects involving personnel from the Sheriff’s Air Unit, West
County Special Enforcement Unit, Fillmore Patrol, Headquarters Patrol, and Moorpark Patrol.

At about 6:52 PM, deputies located one of the outstanding suspects hiding under a chicken coop. The suspect, a juvenile
male, was taken into custody without incident.

Despite coordinated efforts of ground and aerial assets, the fourth suspect was able to evade apprehension due to rugged
terrain combined with thick vegetation and darkness.

Following the arrests, detectives located additional evidence linking the suspects to the assault on Edison Lane.

A parole hold was placed on Alonzo, and he was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. One juvenile male was arrested
for violations of Penal Code § 417(a)(2) – [Brandishing Firearm], Penal Code § 417(a)(1) – [Brandishing Deadly Weapon],
Penal Code § 186.22 – [Street Terrorism], and Penal Code § 148(a)(1) – [Obstruct, Resist, or Delay a Peace Officer]. The
other juvenile was arrested for violations of Penal Code § 242 – [Battery], Penal Code § 186.22 – [Street Terrorism], and
Penal Code § 148(a)(1) – [Obstruct, Resist, or Delay a Peace Officer]. Both juveniles were given citations and released to
their parents/guardians.

This investigation is ongoing, and detectives are asking for the public’s assistance for any information regarding the gang-
related assault. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Axel Morales (805) 477-7011 or
Detective Dustin Heersche at (805) 477-7012. Tips can also be submitted through Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-
TIPS (8477), where callers can remain anonymous.

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 “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and
@FILLMOREPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and
advisories.

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote

News Release Date: 03/10/2025

Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Booking Photo Release: NO

***

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint
against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime
Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

A Santa Maria resident who is a convicted felon was arrested for multiple identity theft crimes, forgery, possession of
stolen checks, and false impersonation charges.

On March 03, 2025, at approximately 3:00 P.M., patrol deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Department were dispatched to
suspicious circumstances at the Bank of the Sierra in the city of Fillmore.

A customer identified as Arvan Washington III, was attempting to open a bank account and lines of credit using suspicious
and fraudulent personal identifying documents which prompted bankers to notify the police. Upon deputies’ arrival, it was
discovered that Washington attempted to foil bank representatives using a fraudulent driver license, social security
numbers, and impersonating himself as someone else. As the investigation quickly unfolded, it was discovered Washington had
a lengthy criminal history where he had previously been involved in identity theft related crimes throughout the Lompoc,
Ventura, and Santa Paula areas.

During the investigation, Fillmore patrol deputies obtained additional evidence including several fraudulent documents,
stolen checks, out of state fake driver licenses’, and personal identifying information of additional people. Washington was
placed under arrest for identity theft and several charges related to forgery crimes and was subsequently booked at the
Ventura County Pre-Trail Detention Facility.

It is believed Washington may be implicated in additional unsolved crimes related to identity theft. 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. If
anyone has additional information involving Washington or any other crimes, they are urged to contact the Fillmore Station
Detectives at the below listed numbers, their local law enforcement office, or the Fillmore Police Department at (805) 524-
2234.

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 “X” @ 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 also like to remind citizens to be aware of loose mail placed in unlocked
mailboxes and theft of mail left in unlocked mailboxes for extended time periods. Please remember that Postal Inspectors
across the country work hard to protect your mail. But with deliveries to more than 100 million addresses, the Postal
Inspection Service can’t do the job alone. You can protect your mail from thieves by remembering to pick up your mail
promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other
negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail. This diligence will assist in the prevention of
becoming a victim of identity theft.

If you see or suspect a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately 9-1-1, then call
Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 and (press 3) or visit the below listed website.

https://ehome.uspis.gov/mailtheft/idtheft.aspx

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Jarrod Foote

News Release Date: March 06, 2025

Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Booking Photo Release: NO

***

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

On 03/07/2025, (S) Jose Flores, an 18-year-old Simi Valley resident, was arrested for his involvement with multiple gang
graffiti vandalisms which occurred at the Fillmore Historical Museum during the months of October and November 2024.

Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left unchecked, graffiti
can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. Graffiti may also be the catalyst for additional, more serious crimes affecting our communities. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and
taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to responding to public concerns
in a manner that builds confidence in our agency and strengthens relationships to empower businesses and residents to be the
eyes and ears of the community.

During the months of October and November 2024, diligent members of the community reported multiple graffiti vandalisms at
the Fillmore Historical Museum located in the 300 block of Main Street in Fillmore. Fillmore patrol personnel responded to
the area and confirmed vandalisms had occurred, and they were likely gang related. Detectives with the Fillmore Bureau of
Investigation collaborated with patrol personnel on the investigation and quickly identified suspects.

In December 2024, detectives with the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation obtained an arrest warrant for Jose Flores, who is a
criminal street gang member from Fillmore, but was believed to have moved out of the area.

During the month of March 2025, a residential search warrant was obtained for Flores’ residence located in the 1000 block of
Arcane Street in Simi Valley.

On 03/07/2025, members of the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation, Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit, and the Pre-Trial
Detention Facility Classification Unit executed the search warrant at Flores’ residence and seized additional evidence
linking him to the graffiti vandalisms and participation in a criminal street gang. Flores was home at the time of the
warrant service and was arrested for his felony warrant (Penal Code § 594(b)(2)(A) – Graffiti Vandalism). He was later
booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility pending court proceedings.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly
report any graffiti they come across by calling our dispatch center at (805) 654-9511. Following a police investigation, all
graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to any crimes is urged to contact The Fillmore
Police Station at (805) 524-2233 or the listed detectives below. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

Graffiti Removal

The City of Fillmore removes all graffiti in public areas by either painting over it or by using a power washer, depending
upon the location of the graffiti. Residents are encouraged to call the city graffiti hotline at (805) 524-1500, prompt
number 4, then 3. Additionally, private property owners are encouraged to help combat vandalism by removing any graffiti
visible on their properties.

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 “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and
@FILLMOREPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and
advisories.

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
News Release Date: 03/07/2025
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
Booking Photo Release: NO

***

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).