By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
On 10-18-12, Moorpark Patrol Deputies responded to a call of a rape in the area of Valley Road and Magnolia Street, Moorpark. Responding deputies quickly learned that the suspect, Julio Garcia, fled the scene after he attempted to rape an elderly woman. The investigation revealed that Garcia knew the victim and attempted to rape her after he forced her into the residence. A short while later, detectives from the Moorpark Police Station located Garcia in the 1800 block of Cochran Street, Simi Valley. Garcia was arrested for attempted forcible rape and elder abuse. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $1,000,000 bail. Nature of Incident: Sexual Assault |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
The Camarillo Police Department and Saving Lives Camarillo, an anti-drug coalition, will host a community drug forum Tuesday evening to discuss community trends and the impacts caused by the abuse of heroin, prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and new designer drugs (i.e., Bath Salts, Spice). Prescription pill and heroin abuse has increased in many communities throughout the United States, and the reason may surprise most people. Many of the young people who find their way down a path toward opium addiction began the treacherous journey in a medicine cabinet at home. Most prescription pain medications derive their potency from opium. With pills being commonly prescribed for a variety of ailments, they are easily accessible both at home and on the street. The transition from pills to either smoking or injecting heroin is inevitable, given ample supplies and relatively cheap prices. The physical and psychological need to maintain the addiction is the bridge that leads from prescription pills to heroin. The communities in Ventura County are no exception to this growing problem. Tuesday evening, officials from law enforcement, the medical field, and behavioral health community will host a forum that is free to attend and open to anyone interested in learning more about this disturbing trend in our community. The forum will feature Assistant Sheriff Gary Pentis, Sgt. Victor Fazio, Behavior Specialist Dr. Thomas Carver, and Los Robles ER Doctor Matthew Beatty. The emcee will be Commander Steve DeCesari, Chief of Police of the Camarillo Police Department. Other supporters include the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, Los Robles Hospital, and the Sespe Counseling Center. The DUI awareness trailer will be on display, and coffee will be provided free of charge by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Nature of Incident: Community Drug Forum |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
The Thousand Oaks Police Traffic Bureau is investigating an injury traffic collision involving an on-duty Thousand Oaks Police Motor Officer that occurred on Wilbur Road north of St. Charles Drive in the City of Thousand Oaks. Marcia Obrien was driving her vehicle south on Wilbur Road. Deputy Biter was riding his police motorcycle north on Wilbur Road in the #1 traffic lane. Obrien entered the left turn lane at the location in preparation for a left turn into the driveway of the Center Oaks Plaza shopping center. Obrien then turned left across the northbound lane of Wilbur Road as Deputy Biter was approaching. Deputy Biter’s motorcycle collided with the front end of Obrien’s vehicle causing Deputy Biter to lose control of his motorcycle. Deputy Biter was then ejected from his motorcycle. Deputy Biter was transported to Los Robles Hospital via ambulance for his injuries. Obrien was not injured during the collision. The cause of the collision is still being investigated. At this time alcohol / drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision. Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is encouraged to call the Thousand Oaks Traffic Bureau at (805) 494-8271. Nature of Incident: Injury Traffic Collision |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 17th, 2012
A man was struck and killed by a northbound passenger train Tuesday afternoon while he walked his dog along the railroad tracks near La Conchita at the western edge of Ventura County. The unidentified man tried to retrieve his dog from the tracks as the train approached, but he was not able to get himself out of the way before being struck. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, but the dog survived and returned to La Conchita on its own. The engineer of the Amtrak Surfliner train initiated emergency procedures as soon as he saw the man on the tracks. However, the train did not stop in time. The investigation is ongoing, but witness statements and evidence at the scene indicate the collision occurred as the result of a tragic accident. The man’s identity has not been released, and an autopsy is pending by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office. Rail traffic was halted in the area for several hours while officials from various agencies conducted the investigation. Nature of Incident: Man Struck and killed by Train Near La Conchita |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, October 15th, 2012
On 6/27/2012, investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit along with deputies from the Sheriff’s Gang Unit responded to a shooting that occurred at Saticoy Park in the unincorporated area east of the City of Ventura. Responding personnel found a wounded male juvenile lying on the grass. The wounded juvenile was pronounced deceased at the scene. During the initial response and investigation there was evidence of fresh “gang graffiti” and other information leading investigators to believe this was a gang related homicide. After a lengthy investigation and collection of additional evidence, the Ventura County Major Crimes Unit arrested a male juvenile for the murder on 7/17/2012. The juvenile was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center. Investigators and officers from the Ventura Police Department, Ventura County Probation Department, California Parole, and Oxnard Police Department assisted the Sheriff’s Office with the investigation and with the execution of numerous search warrants. Additional evidence was collected relating to the crime along with the weapons used in the murder. The investigation led to the arrest of a second juvenile for the murder on 10/4/2012. The second juvenile suspect was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center as well. Anyone with information regarding this crime should contact Sergeant Todd Inglis with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office @ (805) 384-4730. Nature of Incident: Homicide Arrests – Saticoy Unincorporated Area 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 picture of Rivas’ vehicle. The investigation is continuing and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office is asking the public’s assistance in identifying victims. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, October 15th, 2012
On 10-11-12, during the afternoon hours, Moorpark patrol deputies received a call of a suspicious subject in the area of Poindexter Park. Multiple reporting parties stated that Sergio Rivas was attempting to lure children over to his vehicle and talk to them as they were walking home from school. One of the parties stated they saw children talking to him and then running quickly away from his car. An investigation ensued in which additional information developed indicating that Rivas initially attempted to lure adult females into taking rides in his car after he made sexually suggestive remarks to at least one of them. This occurred with two separate women at different locations. Rivas then appeared to engage in similar activity with children who were walking by his vehicle. A search of Rivas’ vehicle resulted in the seizure of a red police type light and ammunition. Rivas was arrested for child annoying and booked into custody at the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. Nature of Incident: Child Annoying 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). |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
FILLMORE POLICE BLOTTER |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
On or between 09/29/2012, and 10/01/2012, unidentified suspects stole golf bags, golf clubs and golf supplies from three known victims at three separate golf courses in the west end of Ventura County. All three thefts occurred while the victims left their golf bags momentarily unattended to enter the clubhouse. Witnesses described seeing a white male with black hair running away from the clubhouse area carrying the stolen golf bag and supplies. Witnesses described the getaway vehicle as an older, lifted, white, Ford Ranger or Mazda pickup. One of the victims found a posting on Craigslist for some of his stolen property. The victim agreed to meet with the party that was selling his stolen property in the parking lot of Best Buy in Oxnard. The victim contacted the Sheriff’s Department and requested the two be detained, when he realized he had purchased golf supplies from them in the past. Headquarters deputies responded and detained Richard Holland and Michael Shumway in the Best Buy parking lot. During their investigation, they found Holland and Shumway in possession of golf clubs, which were reported stolen from a victim two hours earlier at Camarillo Springs Golf Course. Camarillo detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and found Holland and Shumway had been living together in a trailer associated with a residence in Ventura. Camarillo detectives served a search warrant at the trailer and found golf bags and golf supplies which had been stolen from victims from River Ridge Golf Course in Oxnard, and Sterling Hills Golf Course in Camarillo. Detectives also located additional golf supplies, which belong to other, yet to be identified theft victims. If you were a victim or witnesses to any of these, or similar thefts contact Det. John McGrath (805) 388-5119 or Det. Greg Gibson (805) 388-5116 at Camarillo P.D. Nature of Incident: Arrest for Receiving/Possessing Stolen Property Location: Best Buy Parking Lot, Rose Avenue, Oxnard 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). |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
On October 6, 2012, at about 6:00 A.M., Moorpark patrol deputies responded to a report of a prowler in the backyard of a residence in the 3900 block of Weeping Willow Drive after a neighbor saw the suspect looking into the windows of a residence with a flashlight. The suspect ran away from the backyard after he noticed he was being watched. Responding deputies located Michael Bennett a short distance away in the front yard of another residence. After a brief investigation, deputies arrested Bennett for prowling and possession of a controlled substance. Upon further investigation, deputies quickly learned that two homes in the area had been broken into earlier that morning. The homeowners were inside sleeping, and property was stolen. The suspect possibly unlocked the rear sliding glass doors to these residences by reaching through a pet door. Deputies also learned of several other residences in the neighborhood where the suspect had attempted to commit burglaries. Through investigation of the crimes, Bennett was linked to those burglaries and the stolen property was recovered. Bennett was booked at the Sheriff’s Main Jail for the charges of residential burglary, attempted residential burglary, possession of illegal drugs, and being under the influence of illegal drugs. He is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. Nature of Incident: Residential Burglaries |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today urged parents, coaches and officials for youth sports to develop protective policies related to minors’ personal information, particularly for information posted online. Attorney General Harris also announced that after an inquiry from her office, GameChanger, a popular sports statistics website, has updated its privacy policy and practices to better protect minors. The action comes as more and more information about minors is being posted online, often without adult consent. “Most parents probably do not realize that the simple act of signing a child up for soccer or Little League could put enough information online to put the minor in harm’s way,” said Attorney General Harris. “While the Internet makes tracking games and statistics easier, it is important that parents, coaches, school officials and volunteers all are informed and think carefully about any information that is put online, especially when it pertains to children.” GameChanger updated its privacy policy and put new protections for minors in place after an inquiry from Attorney General Harris’s Privacy Enforcement & Protection Unit. The changes include: not allowing anyone under the age of 13 to sign up or post on the site; removing last names of team members under the age of 13; and providing privacy information pertaining to minors to users when teams are added to the website. The inquiry into GameChanger’s policies came after the Attorney General’s office was contacted by a parent who was concerned about the amount of information being posted on the site. Information included on the site for some teams included the teams’ travel schedule, child’s statistics, full name and nicknames. “I was disturbed when I realized so much information about my son’s team was being posted without my permission,” said Amanda Biers-Melcher of Burbank. “I appreciate Attorney General’s Harris’s assistance with the company and dedication to helping protect the privacy of our children.” The Attorney General’s Privacy Unit will work with parents and sports leagues to develop best practices for handling children’s personal information in youth sports programs. Here are tips for anyone who is involved in youth sports: Playing It Safe with Children’s Information: Tips for Parents Youth sports teams provide great opportunities for our children to engage in exercise, while learning valuable lessons about team work, healthy competition and fair play. When signing your children up for such activities, be mindful of the need to protect their personal information. Ask if the team or league will post any of the child’s personal identifying information – such as name, address, school or photo on a website. Tell them if you do not want your child’s information posted online. Ask questions about any request for your child’s Social Security number, health insurance number or birth certificate. Propose alternatives, such as the following: Instead of turning over a copy of a birth certificate, offer to show a copy of the child’s birth certificate and ask that the birth date be entered in the records and noted as verified. Resist providing the Social Security number. In most cases, the child’s Social Security number should not be necessary. Insist that a health insurance number, if required, be protected with strong security measures, such as locking it in an office file cabinet or encrypting it if in a digital format. Ask if the team or league has a written privacy policy, and ask for a copy. If they don’t have one, encourage them to develop an official policy statement that describes the kinds of personal information they collect, how they use it and how it is shared. (Note: If they collect personal information through a website, they may be required to post a privacy policy on the site.) |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
Sheriff’s narcotics detectives eradicated an outdoor marijuana grow Monday morning near Moorpark College. Detectives had received a tip about the illicit activity and began an investigation. They learned the property owners were not responsible for establishing the grow and did not know the identities of the suspects. Investigators entered the property this morning and hiked into the canyon where the plants were located. They removed 3,000 plants, along with hundreds of pounds of garbage, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and plastic irrigation pipes. Many of the plants were ready for harvest and had an estimated street value of $3 million. Investigators also removed an elaborate base camp containing food supplies, propane tanks, automotive batteries, and cooking utensils. The suspects tending the grow had installed hundreds of feet of irrigation pipes to divert water from a nearby spring on the property. The suspects had also shot and killed a deer recently. Anyone with information about the suspects responsible for this crime is asked to contact Detective Sean Taylor at (805)383-8700. 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). Nature of Incident: Investigators Eradicate 3,000 Marijuana Plants Near Moorpark College |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
On Tuesday, October 2, 2012, the Ventura County Fire Department and the Thousand Oaks Police Department responded to a small brush fire in the Thousand Oaks area. The fire burned approximately one thousand square feet of brush just off the trailhead at the end of Greenmeadow Avenue. Later, the fire was deemed suspicious in nature and was possibly an act of arson. On Thursday, October 4, 2012, the Ventura County Fire Department and the Thousand Oaks Police Department responded to a small brush fire in the same area as Tuesday’s suspicious fire. Two small fires, approximately 75 feet apart, were discovered off the trailhead at the end of Greenmeadow Avenue. The small fires burned themselves out prior to the arrival of the fire department. On Friday, October 5, 2012, a joint investigation between the Ventura County Fire Department and the Thousand Oaks Police Department lead to a surveillance of the trailhead and the surrounding area. Upon discovering another small fire in the same area, a male juvenile approximately 13 years of age was contacted riding his bike away from the area of the fire. The juvenile admitted to starting the three fires. Subsequently, the juvenile was arrested for PC 451(c), arson. The juvenile cited and released to his family. Nature of Incident: Arson Investigation 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). |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
In August of 2012, The Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Gang Unit learned of a gang related assault that occurred in the 400 block of N. Moorpark Road, in the City of Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks Police Department Gang Investigators were able to identify all subjects involved in the assault and develop probable cause to arrest Richy Perez, Daniel Ruelas, and Felix Gamez. On the morning October 2, 2012, members of the Thousand Oaks Police Department Special Enforcement Gang Unit and Investigations Bureau, along with agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, served search warrants on three local residences. During the investigation and services of the search warrants the three suspects were arrested and subsequently booked into the Ventura County Sheriff’s East County Jail on charges of 245(a)(1)PC, assault with a deadly weapon, 422 PC, criminal threats, 186.22(a)PC, street terrorism, and a parole violation. As a result of the search warrants, a fourth suspect, Jazmine Zavalata, was also arrested for 485 PC, misappropriation of lost property. Nature of Incident: Gang related / Assault with a deadly weapon 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). |
By Anonymous — Monday, October 1st, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced a settlement with one of California’s largest health insurers over allegations the company failed to protect the personal information of its members. The lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court today along with the settlement, alleges that Blue Cross of California, which does business under the trade name Anthem Blue Cross, printed Social Security numbers on letters mailed to more than 33,000 of its Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D subscribers between April 2011 and March 2012. The complaint states that Anthem’s conduct violated a state law that restricts the disclosure of Social Security numbers. “Our office is committed to protecting the privacy of Californians,” said Attorney General Harris. “This settlement requires the company to make significant improvements to its data security procedures to ensure this type of error does not happen again.” After the incident, Anthem sent a letter to all affected members whose Social Security numbers were visible through the mailed envelope, notifying them of the breach and offering each a year of free credit monitoring services. The settlement also CONTINUED » |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, October 1st, 2012
On September 25, 2012, at approximately 4:00 P.M., (S) Eric Arevalo, (S) Eric Gonzalez and two male juvenile suspects approached four juvenile victims walking in the area of Adolfo Road and Almendro Way, Camarillo. The suspects brandished knives and demanded the victims’ property. The suspects stole property from the victims and ran away from the scene. As the suspects ran, they yelled out a gang reference representing themselves to be from the Colonia Chiques criminal street gang. A few minutes later, (S) Eric Arevalo and (S) Eric Gonzalez approached a fifth juvenile victim and again brandished knives and demanded the victim’s property. The victim relinquished the requested property and the suspects fled the scene. Camarillo Patrol Deputies, working with officers from the Oxnard Police Department arrested (S) Eric Arevalo several hours after the first two robberies, while they were investigating a third reported robbery in the unincorporated area of Oxnard. Arevalo was booked into the Main Jail for robbery and street terrorism. During the investigation, investigators from the Camarillo Police Department’s detective bureau were able to identify all of the suspects involved in the robberies. On 9-27-12, at approximately 5:00 P.M., investigators from the Camarillo Police Department’s detective bureau, Special Enforcement Detail and Sheriff’s Gang Unit served search warrants in the 800 block of Trevino Terrace and 5200 block of Squires Drive in the city of Oxnard as part of this investigation. Two male juveniles were arrested for robbery and street terrorism as a result of this investigation. Both juveniles were booked into the Juvenile Justice Facility. On 9-28-12, while he was in custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office’s Main Jail on unrelated robbery charges, (S) Eric Gonzalez was arrested for robbery and street terrorism related to this investigation The investigation of these robberies is ongoing. Investigators ask anyone who has information regarding the crimes to contact Detectives Gibson or Arthur with the Camarillo Police Department. Nature of Incident: Armed Robbery Arrests 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). |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, October 1st, 2012
Sheriff Geoff Dean is pleased to announce the graduation of the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center’s Academy Class #2012-1. The graduation ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2012, at Sun Air Jets, Camarillo, California. The guest speaker for the graduation ceremony will be The Honorable James P. Cloninger, who is appointed as a Superior Court Judge with the County of Ventura. The recruits have completed 23 weeks of instruction provided through the combined efforts of local law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice entities. The intense training and education prepares these officers for the responsibilities of serving their communities. Please see below for the names of the graduating recruits and their respective agencies. ACADEMY ROSTER DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT SANTA BARBARA POLICE DEPARTMENT VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE Nature of Incident: Academy Class 2012-1 Graduation |
By Anonymous — Tuesday, September 25th, 2012
SACRAMENTO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that claim forms will be sent to approximately 432,584 California borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011 and may be eligible for a settlement payment under the $25 billion national mortgage foreclosure settlement. Borrowers receiving the claim forms had mortgages serviced by Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, the servicers that agreed to the settlement with the federal government and attorneys general of 49 states and the District of Columbia. The settlement, which was signed by the Court in April 2012, earmarked approximately $1.5 billion in payments for 2 million borrowers nationwide. The actual payment amount will depend upon the total number of borrowers who decide to participate. Payment checks are expected to be mailed in mid-2013. Last week, the national CONTINUED » |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, September 24th, 2012
On 9-22-12, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office conducted 38 compliance checks of registered sex offenders in Fillmore and the unincorporated areas of Fillmore and Piru. The compliance checks were part of the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) grant. Section 290 of the California Penal Code requires persons convicted of specified sexual assault crimes to register with the agency where they reside. Thirty-one of the 38 registered sex offenders were in compliance with their registration requirement. Seven of the registrants were not home or had moved and detectives will follow-up to determine if the registrants are out-of-compliance. During the compliance checks, no arrests were made. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting similar sweeps randomly throughout the county to verify registered sex offenders are living at their reported residence along with conducting probation and/or parole searches of registered sex offenders who are on probation and/or parole. Nature of Incident: 290 Compliance Checks |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, September 24th, 2012
On September 20, at 4:37 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a stabbing victim on Highland Drive near Roosevelt Blvd., in the Silver Strand beach community. Prior to the deputies’ arrival, the victim was taken to Ventura County Medical Center by ambulance for treatment of injuries sustained in the attack. Investigators collected information which led them to arrest Jake Lopez for the assault a few hours later. Lopez was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura for section 245(a)(1) of the Penal Code – assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury. His bail is currently set at $20,000.00 The victim, David Darling, was treated for non-life threatening injuries and later released. Nature of Incident: Assault with Deadly Weapon |
By Anonymous — Monday, September 24th, 2012
LOS ANGELES, CA - California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and Mexico Attorney General Marisela Morales Ibáñez today signed an accord to expand prosecutions and secure convictions of criminals who engage in the trafficking of human beings. The accord will increase coordination of law enforcement resources targeting transnational gangs that engage in the sale and trafficking of human beings across the California-Mexico border. The accord calls for closer integration on human trafficking investigations between the two offices and the sharing of best practices for law enforcement to recognize instances of human trafficking and provide support and services to victims. Prosecutors from the two offices today held the second of a series of meetings to implement the initiative. “California and Mexico are together taking steps to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks that traffic human beings into our state as if they were just another commodity,” said Attorney General Harris. “Trageting transnational gangs is a vital component of our efforts to protect public safety in California.” Human trafficking is CONTINUED » |