Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Tri-County Dismantlers, 900 Block Mission Rock Road, Santa Paula, CA
Date & Time / RB#: March 22, 2009 @ 9:45 P.M. / 09-7226
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Bomb Unit and Fillmore Patrol Deputies

Suspects, City, Age
Suspect-1 Male Juvenile, Santa Paula, 16
Suspect-2 Unknown Male

On March 22, 2009 at 9:58 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an explosion that damaged a soft drink vending machine located in front of Tri-County Dismantlers in the 900 block of Mission Rock Road near Santa Paula.

When deputies arrived, they found the vending machine severely damaged with debris from the explosion strewn across the street from the business. Evidence suggested some type of bomb constructed with industrial chemicals was used to blow up the machine. There were no injuries as a result of the incident. Two witnesses came forward and reported that two male subjects were observed leaving the scene.

A short time later, deputies identified a suspect vehicle in the 200 Block of Laurie Lane in Santa Paula. Deputies stopped the suspect vehicle and subsequently arrested the driver, a sixteen year-old male, and charged him with felonious possession of a destructive device, felony use of a destructive device to destroy property, and vandalism. The sixteen year-old was released to his parents and will appear in juvenile court at a later time.

The Sheriff’s Bomb Unit responded to the initial scene and is leading the investigation. An effort to identify and locate the second suspect is on going. If you have any information about this crime, call Crime Stoppers at 805-524-0970. The call is not recorded. Rewards are offered.