On 03/11/10, Nordhoff School Resource Officer Deputy Valenzuela was contacted by Nordhoff School staff regarding marijuana being smoked in a vacant classroom.

On 03/18/10, Officer Deputy Valenzuela was on foot patrol on the campus of Nordhoff High School. Deputy Valenzuela became suspicious when she saw an empty janitors cart, near the classroom, she had previously received the complaint about. Deputy Valenzuela entered the classroom and saw a thick cloud of smoke and smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. She also saw Nordhoff High School Janitor, Brandon Hoffmeister, 25 years, with 3 male juvenile students. As Deputy Valenzuela directed Hoffmeister and the students out of the classroom, Hoffmeister ran from Deputy Valenzuela. Hoffmeister was located, on campus, a short time later and placed under arrest.

During Deputy Valenzuela’s investigation she discovered an empty plastic baggie, in the classroom, which contained marijuana residue. Hoffmeister admitted to providing marijuana to students over the past 2 months and having smoked marijuana, with students, on campus, approximately 20-30 times over the two month period.

Hoffmeister was booked at the Pre- Trial Detention Facility. Bail was set at $100,000.00

Location: Nordhoff High School / 1401 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, 93023

Date & Time/ RB#: 3/18/10 0940 hrs RB#:10-6584

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Department / Ojai

(S)Suspect Adddress Age
Brandon Hoffmeister Mira Monte 25 Years Old

Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Maureen Hookstra

Follow-up Contact: Sergeant Maureen Hookstra / Ojai Police Department (805) 646-1414

Date of Release: March 18, 2010

Approved By: Captain Chris Dunn

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 15, 2010, (A) Daniel Raaf was arrested in connection with two recent bank robberies in Thousand Oaks, California. On January 21, 2010, Raaf is suspected of committing a bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 1760 East Avenida De Los Arboles. On March 12, 2010, Raaf is suspected of committing a second bank robbery at the First California Bank, located at 11 E. Hillcrest Drive.

Information obtained during the investigation led investigators to believe Raaf committed these crimes. Items collected during a search warrant at Raaf’s residence, connected him to the robberies. Raaf was booked into the Ventura County Jail on two counts of PC 211 and is currently being held on a $1,000,000.00 bail.

There is evidence to link Raaf with at least one bank robbery in Los Angeles County. Investigators are working with the F.B.I and L.A.P.D. to determine how many bank robberies Raaf has in fact committed in Los Angeles County.

Location: 1516 Patricia Avenue Simi Valley, Ca 93065

Date & Time/ RB#: March 15, 2010 @ 5:00 p.m. / RB #10-1697 & RB# 10-6045

Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes Unit

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
(A) Daniel Paul Raaf Simi Valley 24

Officer Preparing Release: Deputy Shannon McElveen

Follow-up Contact: Detective Jon Smith (805-494-8216)

Date of Release: March 16, 2010

Approved By: Captain Bruce Watlington

California Highway Patrol

On March 15, 2010 at 3:32 pm, a major injury traffic collision involving two vehicles occurred on northbound US-101 at Telephone Rd.

Giovanny Ruiz, age 19 of Ventura, was driving a 2005 Nissan Maxima northbound on US-101 near Victoria Ave. According to several witnesses, Ruiz’s vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed estimated to be over 90 mph. Ruiz was reportedly in and off traffic using all lanes to pass slower vehicles. Brandon Lamb, age 56 of Newport Beach, was driving a 1992 Jeep Cherokee northbound on US-101 in the #3 lane approaching Telephone Rd.

Ruiz was traveling in the #1 lane at a high rate of speed and attempted to make a lane change to pass a slower vehicle. Ruiz lost control of his vehicle as it veered to the right and struck the driver side Lamb’s vehicle. Lamb’s vehicle ran off the road, traveled down an embankment and struck a tree. The force of the impact caused Lamb’s vehicle to wrap almost completely around the tree. Ruiz’s vehicle overturned several times down the
embankment and came to rest on its wheels against the perimeter fence at the bottom of the embankment adjacent to Telephone Rd.

Lamb, and his passenger Jacquelyn Drake age 62 of Fresno, were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by Ventura City Fire Department personnel. Ruiz was able to get out his vehicle on his own after the collision. Lamb and Drake were transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) where they were admitted for treatment of the serious injuries they sustained in the collision. Ruiz was also transported
by ambulance to VCMC where he was treated for minor injuries and later released.

The Telephone Rd. off ramp from northbound US-101 was closed until 5:25 pm due to the collision. The eastbound #2 and #3 lanes on Telephone Rd. near East Main St. were closed until 6:10. Ruiz, Lamb and Drake were all wearing seatbelts when the collision occurred. No arrests were made and the collision is still under investigation.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 11, 2010, the Camarillo Police Department activated the Ventura County REVERSE 911® system for an endangered missing adult. The call was to be delivered to 64,061 residential and business telephone numbers. Sixteen minutes later the outbound calls were ceased, after a total of 15,811 calls were placed to Camarillo residents and businesses, and the missing adult was found.

“This is another successful way the REVERSE 911® system has been used in our community,” said Camarillo Police Chief, Steve DeCesari.

The system was established in 2008 to deliver alerts when there is a threat to the health or safety of residents in the cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula and the unincorporated areas of Ventura County. The Ventura County REVERSE 911® database currently contains both listed and unlisted landline phone numbers for AT&T and Verizon customers.

In addition to resident calls, the system also sends messages to businesses in the same geographic area. If a business has multiple lines, it is possible that they may receive multiple calls with the same alert.

“We received many calls from businesses reporting that they received multiple REVERSE 911® calls,” said DeCesari. “However, we do have a solution for businesses with multiple lines so that the REVERSE 911® messages do not impact their daily operations.”

Businesses that would like to exclude certain phone numbers from receiving emergency notifications from the Ventura County REVERSE 911® system can forward their request to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services. The request must be on company letterhead and specify which phone lines they would like to have excluded from the Ventura County REVERSE 911® database. The letter should be mailed to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Attn: REVERSE 911® Program Administrator, 800 S. Victoria Avenue #3450, Ventura, California 93009.

For more information on REVERSE 911® in Ventura County or to register telephone numbers, residents may go to the County of Ventura website (www.countyofventura.org) and click on the “Disaster Information” link. Questions may also be directed to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at (805) 648-9283.

Date & Time: March 11, 2010 1:03 PM

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services

Administrator Preparing Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655

Follow-up Contact: Erin Edinger, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3843

Approved By: Laura Hernandez, Assistant Director of Disaster Services

Date of Release: March 15, 2010

On Monday, March 15, 2010, at approximately 11:32 a.m., Santa Paula Police Officers responded to domestic violence incident in the 15000 Blk. of W. Telegraph Rd. While at the scene, officers learned that the suspect, Jose Villalvazo, 29 years of age and a resident of Santa Paula, physically battered his girlfriend and threatened her with a firearm.
Officers began checking the area and located the suspect hiding along the side of a nearby residence. When officers attempted to contact the suspect, he fled on foot. Officers were quickly able to establish a perimeter and contain the suspect.
Santa Paula Police Canine “Evan” located the suspect hiding inside of a boat. The suspect refused to follow officers’ commands to surrender, resulting in the canine apprehending the suspect.
Deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, a Sheriff’s Helicopter, and Officers from the California Highway Patrol assisted the SPPD during this incident. Villalvazo was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for charges relating to criminal threats, resisting a peace officer, and domestic battery.

UPDATE:
Reference Santa Paula Police Department PR2010-03-15, the firearm the suspect had has been found by an officer. It was located at approximately 1830 hours in a trash can near where the suspect was arrested.

Ryan Smith # 1021
Police Sergeant

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Camarillo Police Department will be hosting a program to educate newly licensed and future licensed drivers.

Start Smart is a cooperative effort between the California Highway Patrol, Camarillo Police Department, teenage drivers, and their parents.

In an attempt to remain proactive and not reactive, the Start Smart program is designed to help young drivers and their parents/guardians understand the responsibilities associated with driving a motor vehicle. Start Smart will show how a poor choice behind the wheel can change the lives of everyone involved. Our goal is to raise awareness and reduce the number of teen-related injuries and deaths due to collisions.

Interested parents are asked to call Sergeant Harold Hanley at 805-388-5132 for more information about the program. To reserve a spot, call MaryGay San Jose with the Camarillo Police Department Community Resource Unit at 805-388-5155. Space is limited to 20 students and their parents. There is no charge to attend the program.

Location: Camarillo Police Station
3701 E. Las Posas Road
Camarillo, CA 93010

Date & Time: Monday, March 15, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Unit Responsible: Camarillo Traffic Bureau

Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Harold Hanley
Follow-up Contact: Sergeant Harold Hanley

Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

Date of Release: March 10, 2010

California Highway Patrol

On 3/11/2010 at approximately 7:00 am, members of the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VENCATT) served a search warrant for narcotic sales on a residence in the 3600 block of Santa Clara Ave. near the city of Oxnard.

During the search of the residence, investigators found ¼ pound of methamphetamine and nearly one ounce of cocaine along with over $600.00 in cash. Investigators also found scales and other items indicative of illegal narcotic sales.

Three suspects who lived at the residence were arrested as result of the search warrant. Those suspects were; Juan Antonio Ruiz, age 36, Hime Ramirez, age 19 and Maria Ruiz, age 30. Hime Ramirez is the son of Juan Ruiz. Maria Ruiz is Juan Ruiz’s girlfriend. All three suspects were charged with possession and sales of controlled substances. They were booked into the Ventura County Jail.

There were two young boys ages three years and three months old who also lived at the residence. It was unclear who was the parent or legal guardian of the two boys. The three suspects and a female subject who arrived at the residence during the search were evasive regarding the identity of the boys’ parents or legal guardian. Both boys were turned over to Ventura County Child Protective Services due to the arrests made and the extreme squalor living conditions that existed in the residence. All three suspects will also be charged with child endangerment.

The Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VENCATT) is comprised of personnel from the California Highway Patrol, Oxnard Police Dept., Ventura Police Dept., Port Hueneme Police Dept., Dept. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Insurance.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department’s Ojai Detectives concluded an investigation into a commercial burglary and vandalism that occurred at Nordhoff High School between the evening of February 20, 2010 and the morning of February 21, 2010. Deputies initially responded to the school reference a flag that had been stolen from a local Jewish camp and was found flying from the football stadium flagpole at Nordhoff High School. When Deputies arrived to investigate the stolen flag incident, they found that the suspects had forced entry into two snack bars in the area of the football stadium, the announcer’s box above the bleachers in the stadium, a metal storage container and the girl’s locker room. The deputies also found that the school’s pool and marching band equipment truck had been vandalized and a swastika had been painted on the asphalt of the southwest parking lot.

During the investigation four suspects were identified and property stolen during the incident was recovered. The suspects were ultimately arrested for 459P.C. – Commercial Burglary, 594(b)(1) P.C. – Vandalism over $400.00, and 484(a) P.C. – Petty Theft. Three of the four suspects were juveniles. Based on the investigation a hate crime could not be established.

Location: Nordhoff High School, Ojai

Dates: Between February 20, 2010 and February 21, 2010

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Department Ojai Substation Detectives

Suspect City of Residence Age
Ian McMahon Meiners Oaks 18 years old
Male Juvenile Oak View 16 years old
Male Juvenile Ojai 16 years old
Male Juvenile Ojai 16 years old

Officer Preparing Release: Detective M. Burgess
Follow-up Contact: Detectives M. Burgess or S. Michalec (805) 646-1414
Date of Release: March 10, 2010
Approved By: Captain Chris Dunn

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

In the aftermath of the arrest of convicted sex offender John Albert Gardener III for the rape and murder of Chelsea King, and possible involvement in the murder of Amber DuBois, questions may have surfaced regarding how convicted sex offenders are tracked and monitored locally.

Since 2006, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department has been part of a grant funded multi-jurisdictional task force dedicated to monitoring registered sex offenders. The state funded Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team for this region is a tri-county effort between San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County, with the overall grant administration conducted by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.

The mission of the SAFE Program is to identify, monitor, arrest, and assist in the prosecution of habitual sexual offenders who violate the terms and conditions of their probation or parole, who fail to comply with the registration requirements of California Penal Code § 290, or who commit new sexual assault offenses through proactive surveillance and arrest of habitual sexual offenders.

The tri-county region has a total of 2219 registered CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Monday, 3-8-2010, the Ventura County Sheriff’s East County Narcotic Street Team, the Simi Valley Police Department’s Narcotic Unit and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation concluded a month-long investigation into the activities of Carlos Castro and Juan Moreno. They were suspected of selling cocaine and methamphetamine from their apartment in the 800 block of Warwick Ave, in Thousand Oaks. On the evening of March 8th, investigators served a search warrant at their apartment and found a small quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as other evidence of drug sales. Both Moreno and Castro were arrested and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and will be arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court on 3-10-2010.

Location: 850 Warwick Ave, City of Thousand Oaks

Date & Time/ RB#: 3-8-2010 / 6:00 p.m.

Unit Responsible: East County Narcotics Street Team- Simi P.D. Narcotics- District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations

Suspects City of residence Age
Juan Carlos Perez Moreno Thousand Oaks 29
Carlos Enrique Castro Thousand Oaks 31

Officer Preparing Release: Sgt. Robert Thomas

Follow-up Contact: Sgt. Robert Thomas (805) 383-8710

Date of Release: March 9, 2010

Approved By: Captain B. Norris

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On the morning of 03-04-10, at about 1100 hours, a witness reported two Hispanic males loading items into a silver Honda Odyssey van while the van was stopped in front of a residence on Vista Lago Drive in the unincorporated area of Ventura County near Simi Valley. The witness thought this was suspicious and contacted law enforcement. The vehicle sped away from the neighborhood after being seen. The vehicle was involved in a single vehicle traffic collision near Vista Lago Drive and Madera Road as it tried to drive away from the area. After the collision, witnesses saw both suspects exit the vehicle and run eastbound through the business complex adjacent to the Albertsons Madera Road shopping center.

Law enforcement personnel from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, including the K9 unit, and the Simi Valley Police Department responded to the scene. They set up a perimeter of the surrounding area. Through this collaborative effort, a male subject fitting the description of one of the van’s occupants was contacted by a Simi Valley Police Department officer in the 200 block of Royal Avenue. This male subject was identified as being one of the occupants of the vehicle. He was later identified as Ronnie Ortiz. The other male suspect eluded capture.

During the on-scene investigation, several electronic and computer equipment items were found in the van. These items were later identified by the resident(s) as belonging to them.

Ortiz was booked at the Ventura County Main Jail and is waiting arraignment on the following charges: residential burglary and giving false information to a police officer.

Location: 200 Block of Royal Avenue, Simi Valley, CA.

Date & Time/ RB#: March 4, 2010 @ 1:00 p.m. / 10-5289

Unit Responsible: Moorpark Investigations

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
(S) Ronnie Ortiz Pacoima 18
(S) Unknown male

Officer Preparing Release: Detective Ed Ilano

Follow-up Contact: Detective Scott Hardy (805) 532-2715

Date of Release: March 5, 2010

Approved By: Captain Eric Dowd

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

During the last part of February 2010, Sheriff’s gang investigators received information that David Castro was selling narcotics in the Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction. Castro, a Santa Paula gang member, was wanted for violating his parole and had a no bail warrant for his arrest. He was listed as an armed and dangerous fugitive.

On Friday night, at about 6:00 P.M, Sheriff’s gang investigators located Castro as he got into a car in the 900 Blk of Santa Barbara Street, Santa Paula. Investigators followed him to a fast food drive through on Harvard Blvd where they approached him on foot. As officers approached Castro’s vehicle, he removed a loaded handgun from his waist and attempted to hide it from officers. He was taken into custody without incident. In addition to the handgun, Castro was found in possession of 3 ½ ounces of methamphetamine and over $1,000 dollars in cash. The handgun determined to have been stolen from a residential burglary in the City of Ventura.

Castro was arrested on a number of charges including felon CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Thursday, March 4, 2010 Ashley Eaton, of Whole Foods Market presented the Ventura County Sheriffs Department’s East Valley Volunteer Search and Rescue Team with the extremely generous donation of $3,560.25. The money was raised through the Whole Foods Market 5% day program, which donates a percentage of their daily proceeds to local organizations.

The East Valley Search and Rescue Team is comprised of 25 volunteers who collectively donate thousands of hours each year in searching for lost and missing persons. In addition the group also conducts evidence searches, provides staffing for major events, and provides training for other agencies. The team also responds throughout the state during mutual aid requests from other counties in need of personnel for wilderness searches and missing persons cases such as the recent Chelsea King search in San Diego County.

The proceeds from this event will be used to purchase much needed equipment such as radios, rescue ropes, and foul weather gear for the team members.

Location: 740 N. Moorpark Rd. Thousand Oaks CA 91360

Date & Time: March 4, 2010 1500 hrs.

Unit Responsible: Sergeant Underlin – Sheriff’s Aviation / SAR Unit

Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Frank Underlin

Follow-up Contact: Sergeant Frank Underlin #947-8196

Date of Release: March 4, 2010

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Fillmore Police Blotter
02/17/10 to 02/23/10
Theft Vehicle
02/17/10
1100 Block El Paseo St.
Vandalism
500 Block Saratoga St.
Theft Residential
250 E. Telegraph Rd.
Battery
500 Block A St.
Theft Identity
800 Block 4th St.
Search Warrant
600 Block Maple Ct.
Drunk in Public
200 Block Fillmore St. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested three suspects in connection to a carjacking that occurred last Sunday morning. The three are believed to be Oxnard gang members.

On 2-21-2010, at about 4:45 AM, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a carjacking in the unincorporated area of Nyeland Acres. During the initial investigation, deputies learned that at about 4:00 AM, a male suspect approached a parked vehicle in the 2900 block of Friedrich. The car was occupied by a male and female victim who were sleeping. The male suspect opened the driver’s door and began beating the male driver. The suspect ordered the female to get out of the car or he would kill her. When the female got out of the car, the suspect brandished a knife and ordered the male victim to drive him away.

The suspect had the male victim drive him around the unincorporated area of Oxnard for about 45 minutes. During the kidnapping, the suspect made several phone calls. While driving in the area of Alvarado and Ventura Blvd, El Rio, the male victim jumped out of the moving vehicle and escaped. Neither victim was hurt. The car was later found abandoned at Vineyard Ave and Ventura Blvd, Oxnard.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit took over the case and was able to identify the male suspect as Jose Casillas. Gang Investigators believe that as Casillas drove the male victim around Oxnard, he called Marco Gutierrez. Investigators believe that Casillas told Gutierrez he had kidnapped the male victim and asked him for advice. Investigators believe that Gutierrez told Casillas to hold on to the male victim and drive him to Gutierrez’ house in the 2400 block of Colonia Ave, in Oxnard. The male victim was able to escape before Casillas made it to Gutierrez’ residence.

On Wednesday, gang investigators located Casillas and his brother, David Lopez, as they reported to their probation officer at the Oxnard probation office. They were found to be in possession of some of the victims stolen property and arrested. On Thursday, gang investigators contacted Marco Gutierrez as he left his residence and arrested him.

Throughout the investigation, gang investigators served several search warrants and recovered all of the victim’s stolen property. This included a stereo that had been stripped from the vehicle.

Jose Casillas was booked into the Ventura Jail on numerous charges including Carjacking, robbery, and kidnapping for the purpose of robbery. He remains in custody on $265,000 dollar bail. Marco Gutierrez was booked into the Ventura County Jail for conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He remains in custody on $105,000 dollars. David Lopez was booked into the Ventura County Jail for accessory after the fact and possession of stolen property. He remains in custody on $25,000 dollar bail.

RB#:10-4340

Location: 2900 Block Friedrich, Oxnard

Date & Time: 2-21-2010/0345

Unit Responsible: Gang Unit

Suspects Charge City of residence Age
1) Casillas, Jose Kidnap/Carjacking Oxnard 19
2) Gutierrez, Marco Kidnap/Carjacking Oxnard 18
3) Lopez, David Possession stolen Oxnard 21
Property/ Accessory

Officer Preparing Release: Sgt Schierman

Follow-up Contact: Sgt Schierman 654-2856

Date of Release: 2-26-2010

Approved by: Captain B. Norris

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On February 26, 2010, members from the Sheriff’s Department East County Narcotics Street Team, the Simi Valley Police Department’s Narcotics Unit, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation concluded a three-month investigation of narcotics sales and money laundering. As a result of this investigation, Jeremy Hernandez was arrested today for 17 felony counts of money laundering.

On December 16, 2009, Hernandez was arrested by narcotics investigators for possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana for sale following a search warrant at his residence. A subsequent investigation revealed that Hernandez had laundered thousands of dollars in cash that were proceeds from his drug dealings. Hernandez was arrested at the Todd Road Jail where he is being held pending trial related to the original arrest. Hernandez will be arraigned on March 1st at 9:00am in Ventura County Superior Court for these new charges.

Location: Todd Road Jail, Santa Paula, CA

Date & Time: February 26, 2010, 3:00 P.M.

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff Narcotics Unit, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, Simi Valley Police Narcotics Unit

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of residence Age
Jeremy Hernandez Moorpark 18

Officer Preparing Release: Det Jeff Barry, DA Investigator
Follow-up Contact: Sgt Robert Thomas 805-383-8700
Approved by: Captain O’Hanlon

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is submitting a grant application to the State of California in hopes of receiving a state Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant. The Sheriff’s Department is seeking approximately $80,000 for use in replacing its old and outdated motorcycles and quads, and for labor reimbursement at its Lockwood Valley Sub-Station.

The Lockwood Valley Sub-Station is responsible for approximately 610 square miles of area in the northern backcountry of Ventura County. This includes many areas of the Los Padres National Forest and the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area.

The funds will help establish off-road patrols on the OHV trails of both areas for the purposes of enforcement and public education. It will also assist in establishing new public signs in OHV areas, and creating free OHV maps and brochures for the public. The new equipment will also provide reliable off-road equipment to use during search and rescue operations.

California State Parks provides CONTINUED »

CA. Vehicle Code

21809. (a) A person driving a vehicle on a freeway approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, ( )1 a stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or a stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, shall approach with due caution and, before passing in a lane immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle ( )1 , tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, absent ( )2 other direction by a peace officer, proceed to do one of the following:

(1) Make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or ( )3 Department of Transportation vehicle, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law.

(2) If the maneuver described in paragraph (1) would be unsafe or impracticable, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).

(c) ( )4 The requirements of subdivision (a) do not apply if the stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, the stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or the stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights is not adjacent to the freeway or is separated from the freeway by a protective physical barrier.

Added Sec. 2, Ch. 375, Stats. 2006. Effective January 1, 2007.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 175, Stats. 2009. Effective January 1, 2010.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Moorpark Police Department will be conducting “Operation Hang-Up” during the month of March. The operation will be focused on maximum enforcement of laws related to the use of cell phones while driving.

The Vehicle Code prohibits a driver from using a cell phone while operating a vehicle on a roadway unless the cell phone is equipped with a hands-free feature; and from text messaging while driving. The law also prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while driving, whether or not the phone is equipped with a hands-free feature.

Talking on a cell phone held to the ear, or text messaging, are distractions that take away from a person’s attention to their driving. The use of cell phones by drivers of motor vehicles contributes to scores of traffic collisions every year. Many of those collisions have resulted in injuries that could have been avoided if the drivers were paying attention to their driving instead of their cell phone or text conversations.
The fine for a first conviction of using a cell phone while driving, along with court related fees, is around $140. Subsequent convictions result in much larger fines. Additionally, if a driver is talking on a cell phone and causes a collision resulting in the death of another person, the driver can be prosecuted for vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to prison.

Many drivers use their cell phones while children are passengers in their car. This places the children at an increased risk of harm, and it teaches the children that it is okay to disobey our laws. Adult drivers should set the example to obey laws by obeying the cell phone laws related to driving.

During the month of March, deputies assigned to the Moorpark Patrol Station will be on an increased lookout for drivers disobeying the laws related to the use of cell phones while driving. Any drivers detained for using their cell phones can expect to receive a traffic citation. The goal of “Operation Hang-up” is to increase the safety of our roadways for all persons traveling in and through Moorpark.

Location: City of Moorpark, CA.

Date: February 24, 2010

Unit Responsible: Moorpark Patrol / Traffic

Officer Preparing Release: Captain Ron Nelson

Follow Up Contact: Captain Ron Nelson (805) 532-2705

Approved By:

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 2-23-10, at about 7:55 p.m., Moorpark patrol deputies were summoned to the 100 block of Park Lane in the city of Moorpark, to a report of a male subject who had just attempted to steal a purse from an 83 year-old woman.

During the investigation, deputies learned that a male subject in his twenties, approached the elderly woman, grabbed her purse and attempted to steal it. The elderly woman grabbed a hold of the purse strap and hung on to it as the suspect made several attempts to pull the purse away from her. The male suspect finally let go of the woman’s purse and fled the area on foot.

The incident was very traumatic and frightening for the elderly woman, however she was not injured during the attempted robbery.

Investigative leads identified Micah Gehring as the suspect in this case. Gehring was later located at his home and taken into custody for Attempted Robbery and Attempted Theft from an Elder Adult. Gehring was booked into the East County Jail Facility in lieu of $60,000 bail.

RB#: 10-4568

Location of Crime: 100 block of Park Lane, Moorpark, CA.

Date & Time: February 23, 2010 / 7:50 p.m.

Unit Responsible: Moorpark Patrol & East County Major Crimes

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age

(S) Gehring, Micah David Moorpark 21

Officer Preparing Release: Detective Allen Devers

Follow Up Contact: Detective Allen Devers @ (805) 494-8201

Approved By: Captain Ron Nelson