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Arson investigation/ theft and forgery arrest
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, October 21st, 2013
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 10/17/2013, at about 8 am, deputies and detectives from the Ojai station responded to an explosion that resulted in a dumpster fire. Witnesses described a male that was possibly involved. Deputies located that subject and interviewed him. During that interview, it was learned he was in possession of stolen checks from an Ojai resident. As deputies contacted the victim, they learned the suspect, Christopher Hammond, was in possession of numerous forged checks and stolen property. He also had a large amount of narcotics in his possession. Follow-up by detectives revealed that Hammond had passed some of the stolen checks, committed identity theft, and forgery in Ventura County and in the State of Colorado. Detectives discovered that the local stolen checks were associated with recent mail thefts. After locating stolen property from Colorado, Colorado detectives were contacted. They confirmed Hammond as the suspect in several baggage thefts at the Denver airport, and additional cases for forgeries, identity theft, and other related charges. Hammond was arrested at the scene. Hammond’s bail was set at $500,000 for the forgeries, commercial burglaries, and possession of stolen property. Detectives are investigating additional crimes believed to be associated with Hammond. Any unreported victims of recent forged checks listing the payee as Chris Hammond are encouraged to contact Ojai Detective Mulrooney. Nature of Incident: Arson investigation/ theft and forgery arrest |
