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Fillmore, California – On September 27, 2024, three (3) drivers were cited for driving without a driver’s license and one (1) driver was cited for having an open container inside a vehicle at a DUI / Driver’s License Checkpoint on September 27, 2024.
The DUI / Driver’s License Checkpoint was held on Central Avenue near Santa Clara Street from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Three drivers were cited for operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license. A total of 164 drivers were contacted. One driver was cited for having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, a violation of VC 23222(a). Zero (0) drivers were arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads.
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Location: Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: September 27th from 7:00PM to 12:00 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department, Thousand Oaks Police Department-Traffic Bureau, Camarillo Police Department-Traffic Bureau

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

On Sunday, September 29th, at 9:47 a.m., the Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol responded to a reported motorcycle traffic collision. The location was near South Mountain Road and Balcom Canyon, in the county between Fillmore and Santa Paula. According to the California Highway Patrol, a male was riding a 2009 Suzuki motorcycle west on South Mountain Road east of Balcom Canyon Road when he crossed the double yellow lines and collided with the front of a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee heading east on South Mountain Road. According to police, the individual died as a result of his injuries in the incident. The 33-year-old Ventura woman driving the jeep was uninjured and remained at the scene. The identity of the Simi Valley resident was not released by Sunday evening, pending notification of next of kin. A part of South Mountain Road east of Balcom Canyon Road was closed for nearly three hours later. The crash is not considered to have been caused by alcohol or drugs. Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact the CHP Ventura Area office and speak with an investigator at (805)662-2640.

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