Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Matilija Canyon, Ojai
Date: May 22, 2009
Unit Responsible: Special Services Bureau / Narcotics Unit

Suspects, City of residence, Age
Doroteo Hernandez, Rialto, 30
Carmelo Hernandez, Rialto, 34
Custodio Ramirez, Lancaster, 34

In April of this year, Sheriff’s narcotics detectives discovered two large marijuana cultivation sites in Matilija Canyon above the city of Ojai. One site, located south of Matilija Lake, was being used as a nursery where several hundred seedlings were found. The second site was found approximately 3 miles west of the entrance to the canyon and one mile south of Matilija Canyon Road.

On May 15, detectives were conducting surveillance of Matilija Canyon Road and Highway 33 and witnessed a vehicle stop at the Cozy Dell Trailhead. Two subjects ran from the brush and got into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then sped away. The vehicle was stopped and through the subsequent investigation, it was determined the two subjects and the driver were involved with the marijuana growing sites in Matilija Canyon. All three were arrested for conspiracy to cultivate marijuana. Detectives believe the three subjects were responsible for supplying those in the gardens with equipment and other necessary supplies. All three were booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail. CONTINUED »

Senior Deputy Michael Marco, Senior Deputy Ehren Nehira, Deputy Shannon McElveen, Deputy Tim Ragan.
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Crime Analyst Amanda Carr.
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Location: L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Headquarters-Monterey Park, CA
Date of Event: May 12, 2009
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Community Oriented Police and Problem Solving Unit

Recipients
Thousand Oaks Bike Patrol Team
Senior Deputy Michael Marco
Senior Deputy Ehren Nehira
Deputy Shannon McElveen
Deputy Tim Ragan

Thousand Oaks Police Department Crime Prevention Unit
Crime Analyst Amanda Carr

Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies and a crime analyst were awarded the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s prestigious Star Scroll for their work in matching a critical link to suspects involved in a regional elder abuse financial fraud ring. The Thousand Oaks Police Department Bike Patrol Team and Crime Analyst Amanda Carr made an instrumental identification of two suspects who orchestrated the large theft ring, which amounted to over $130,000 in victim losses over a period of several months.

On July 9, 2008, Thousand Oaks Police Department Crime Analyst Amanda Carr received a crime alert flyer from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. The flyer described a female suspect involved in the elder abuse “pigeon drop” scheme and included a surveillance photo of the unidentified suspect. Crime Analyst Carr then distributed the flyer throughout the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to alert patrol deputies using mobile data computers. On July 24, 2008, the Thousand Oaks Police Department Bike Patrol Team stopped two females in Thousand Oaks. The investigation resulted in one of the subjects, a local drug dealer, being arrested for possession of a significant quantity of methamphetamine and cash. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 400 block of Calle Converse, Camarillo, CA.
Date & Time: May 21, 2009 / 11:10 A.M.
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, (P)arties(arties Age
(S1) William Acosta, Reseda Resident 19 years
(S2) Male Juvenile, Simi Valley Resident 17 Years
(S3) Female Juvenile, Camarillo Resident 16 Years

On May 21, 2009, at about 11:10 A.M., an alert citizen reported a possible burglary in progress on the 400 block of Calle Converse. Responding units arrived as two suspects fled out the back of the home. One suspect (S1) was caught near the intersection of Calle Converse and Calle Higuera, with stolen property from the victim’s home in his pocket.

The second suspect (S2) was chased by deputies, on foot, to the 1600 block of Avineda Del Manzano where he was caught. While this suspect was being pursued, he was throwing jewelry, later identified as the victim’s, into the street and bushes.

The third suspect was found nearby and detectives were able to confirm she was the lookout.

S1 was booked at the Ventura County Main Jail for residential burglary and conspiracy. Bail was set at $50,000.00. The two juveniles were subsequently booked at Juvenile Hall for the same charges.

The Camarillo Police Department would like to remind all citizens in the county not to ignore someone knocking at their door. They may be better served to equip themselves with a phone and, without opening the door, acknowledge the persons presence.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 4200 Block of Faria Road, Ventura (Unincorporated Area)
Date & Time: May 20, 2009 @ approximately 10:30 PM
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit

Victim, Witnesses, Suspects, Age, City of residence
Suspect: Male/Dark Complexion, Unknown, Unknown
Victim 1: Brock Husted, 42, Ventura
Victim 2: Davina Husted, 42, Ventura

An unidentified intruder entered a Faria Beach residence late Wednesday night and brutally stabbed to death a husband and wife inside. The couple has been identified as Brock and Davina Husted of Ventura. Information obtained from family members indicates that Davina was approximately four months pregnant at the time. Based on this information, Sheriff’s investigators believe the case is a triple homicide due to the death of the fetus. An autopsy is pending and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office will make the official determination.

The single family beach residence is situated adjacent to the ocean, and the rear French doors on the ocean side of the property were open at the time allowing the suspect immediate access. The Husted’s nine-year old son was in the family room watching TV as the suspect passed by him and confronted Davina who was in the kitchen. Davina moved to the front portion of the house where the suspect followed and brutally stabbed Davina and Brock to death in one of the other rooms inside of the house. Immediately after the attack, the nine-year old son found his parents lying on the floor and summoned his eleven-year-old sister who was asleep in another room. The Husted children left the residence and contacted a neighbor who called 9-1-1. CONTINUED »

NARCOTICS VIOLATION
04/24/09
200 Block Fillmore Street
04/24/09
600 Block River Street
04/25/09
900 Block Santa Clara St.

BATTERY
04/23/09
500 Block Central Avenue
04/24/09
500 Block Central Avenue
04/27/09
600 Block Ventura Street
04/28/09
500 Block A Street
04/28/09
600 Block Fernglen Circle CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Senior Deputy Shane Zaring, a ten-year veteran, has been selected as the 2009 Camarillo Police Department’s Kiwanis Officer of the Year. His peers and supervisors selected Shane for this award for his outstanding dedication to police work and to keeping the residents of Camarillo safe.

Shane has been assigned to the Camarillo Police Department Substation for approximately one year, however in this short time span, Shane’s work ethic and compassion for the victims he contacts has been commendable. Shane is a diverse Deputy Sheriff with the skills to make complex narcotics arrests to handling cases with great sensitivity involving sexual assault investigations. As the Captain at the Camarillo Station, I am very proud to have such a dedicated and energetic employee within our ranks. Shane is a field-training officer, is on the Tactical Response Team, and an Academy Instructor.

Shane is a role model for the newer deputies and exercises excellent judgment in the field. He has a true passion for police work and uses a “teamwork” approach to solve problems.

The combined Kiwanis Clubs of Ventura County will be hosting a dinner banquet at the Ventura Four Points Sheraton on May 29, 2009 to honor officers throughout Ventura County for this prestigious award.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Parking lot of Toppers Pizza, 520 Arneill Rd., Camarillo
Date & Time: May 13, 2009

Suspects, Address, Age:
Lopez, Theresa, Camarillo, CA., 46 yrs.
Juvenile, Camarillo, CA., 17 yrs.
Juvenile, Camarillo, CA., 15 yrs.

On 5/13/09, at about 2027 hours, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon, which occurred in the parking lot of Toppers Pizza located at 520 Arneill Road, Camarillo.

Upon arrival, deputies learned that an argument in parking lot had escalated into a physical confrontation, with one juvenile being stabbed. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of two juveniles and one adult, Theresa Lopez, for assault with a deadly weapon. The juveniles were lodged in the juvenile justice center. Theresa Lopez was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on $20,000 bail.

The cause of the assault is still under investigation.

Location: 1571 Flynn Road, Camarillo

On 5/6/09, at 4:59 a.m., deputies responded to a call of a bear sighting in the City of Camarillo, near the railroad tracks at Lewis Road and Upland Road. A passing motorist called to report that he had seen a large brown bear running westbound from the location. Deputies spotted the bear in the 1500 block of Flynn Road and saw it enter the Avalon Camarillo apartment complex through an open exit gate. Inside, the deputies located the bear and stood by for officers from the California Department of Fish & Game. When Fish & Game officers
arrived they loaded a tranquilizer gun and shot the bear with a tranquilizer dart, causing it to run a few yards before it stopped and lay down. The bear was then put into a Fish & Game pickup truck where it was transported out of the apartment complex. The bear will most likely be released in the County area north of the City of Fillmore.

The bear was identified as a male, weighing between approximately 250 and 300 pounds.

During the incident, six deputies and a supervisor responded along with a Sheriff's helicopter, and four members of the California Fish & Game. There were no reported injuries to anyone during the incident.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Department also used the Reverse 9-1-1 system to notify more than 3,000 residents and businesses that deputies were in the area looking for a bear and cautioning them to stay inside.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Nyeland Acres

Sheriff’s Investigators covering the unincorporated residential area of Nyeland Acres, have recently implemented a neighborhood email alert system. Residents who sign up for the program will receive periodic emails from the investigators alerting them to crime trends occurring in Nyeland Acres. These alerts may also provide tips to help residents avoid becoming crime victims, and they will provide other information to enhance the safety and security of the neighborhood.

Volunteers recently went door-to-door and delivered notices about the alert system and how to sign up for it. Residents can access the system by logging onto the website, venturasheriff.elrionyeland@ventura.org, and requesting to be added to the recipient list. An email address will be required for distribution.

The Sheriff’s West County Investigations Bureau is looking to expand the Alert System to additional unincorporated areas, such as El Rio, Strickland, Saticoy and Montalvo. The system is now in use in the Hollywood Beach and Silver Strand areas of Oxnard and has shown positive results.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Camarillo Police Explorers Post #2932, has teamed with the White House to become a certifying organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service. Established in 2003, the award was created by President George W. Bush to give presidential recognition to individuals, families and groups who meet requirements for volunteer service.

The Camarillo Explorer Post is extremely proud to recognize 5 members who have achieved the Presidential Volunteer Gold Service Award, the highest level obtainable. Explorers Andrew Behan, Armand Castanon, Hannah Wallin, Ian Agar, and Taylor Soares have volunteered over 250 hours each during 2008. These 5 members will receive a special Presidential Gold lapel pin, a Letter of Recognition from the President and a certificate to further acknowledge this accomplishment. Members with lesser hours were respectfully recognized with silver or bronze pins, and were also awarded certificates and letters of recognition. The Explorers were acknowledged, and the awards were presented at the April 7th meeting held at the Camarillo Police Station.

The Camarillo Police Exploring program is made possible by the Boy Scouts of America and provides the opportunity for young adults to build good character, promote good citizenship, and develop personal and mental fitness. The intent of the Law Enforcement Explorer program is to educate and involve youth in police operations, to capture their interest in law enforcement functions, and establish awareness of the complexities of police service.

If you are interested in becoming a part of a group of dynamic young adults, and you are 14 – 20 years old, can maintain a 2.0 grade average, and a have a strong sense of ethical values, please call Camarillo Police Department’s Community Resource Officer, Todd Eskridge, at 388-5129.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 11065 Violeta, Saticoy
Date & Time: 4-13-2009 / 1700
Unit Responsible: Gang Unit

(S)uspects, Charge, City of residence, Age
Male Juvenile, 32 P.C., Saticoy, 16
Cota, Luis, Oxnard, 22

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit is looking for 22-year-old Luis Cota in connection with an attempted homicide that occurred two weeks ago in the community of Saticoy. Gang investigators believe Cota is a methamphetamine user, and he is considered armed and dangerous.

On 4-13-2009, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a call of shots heard in the area of Yeto’s Market, 11065 Violeta, Saticoy. Deputies located evidence of a shooting in the alley behind the market but were unable to locate any victims. A short time later, a male and female victim arrived at Ventura County Medical Center.

An investigation into the shooting revealed that as a 22-year-old female driver and her 26-year-old male passenger drove in the alley behind the market, two male subjects confronted them. During the confrontation, one of the males produced a handgun and fired six rounds into the car. One of the rounds struck the male passenger in the abdomen. The two suspects fled on foot and the victims drove to the emergency room.

The male victim was taken to emergency surgery where he was treated for his injuries. The female victim was treated for injuries sustained from glass fragments. Both victims have been released from the hospital.

Gang investigators served three search warrants in connection with the shooting and arrested a male juvenile accomplice on Friday. On Monday, the District Attorney’s office filed accessory charges against the male juvenile. He is currently in custody at juvenile hall awaiting trial. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 500 block North Oak Street, Santa Paula

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, City of residence, Age
Ernest Solis, Santa Paula, 19
Josue Jimenez, Fillmore, 29

The Sheriff’s Street Narcotics Enforcement Team concluded a one-month narcotics investigation with the arrest of two subjects for methamphetamine sales. On April 28, 2009, detectives observed Ernest Solis and Josue Jimenez involved in what appeared to be a narcotics transaction. When contacted by detectives, Solis and Jimenez were found to be in possession of over two and one half ounces of crystal methamphetamine. Both subjects were arrested for sales of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale, and booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail. The estimated street value of the illegal narcotics is $6,300.00. A Search Warrant was served at Solis’ residence in the 500 block of North Oak St, Santa Paula. No additional narcotics were found at this location.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

VANDALISM
04/15/09
400 Block Fillmore Street
04/18/09
200 Block Casner Way
04/18/09
1000 Block Ventura Street
04/19/09
400 Block Mockingbird Lane
04/21/09
500 Central Avenue

THEFT/OTHER
04/16/09
1000 Block Ventura Street
04/17/09
500 Block A Street
04/19/09
Cherrywood St/Mt. View Street

THEFT/IDENTITY
04/21/09 CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Emma Wood State Beach, Rincon area, Ventura, CA
Date & Time: April 28, 2009, at approximately 5:00 P.M.
Unit Responsible: West County Patrol, Headquarters Station

Victim, Address, Age:
Female, Simi Valley, 17

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at approximately 5:00 P.M. deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, along with other emergency response personnel, responded to a 9-1-1 call of a pedestrian struck by a train in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Emma Wood State Beach. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found that a northbound Amtrak passenger train had struck a 17 year-old female.

It appears that the victim and two male companions were visiting the beach and began walking northbound on the railroad tracks and did not see, nor hear the train approaching from behind. The preliminary investigation showed the train was rounding a wide turn and sounded the horn to alert the individuals as soon as the engineer saw them on the tracks. The female victim was not able to move to safety and was struck by the train. The victim sustained fatal injuries as a result of the accident.

This incident is being investigated as an accident. Sheriff’s Department investigators and personnel from the railroad company are reviewing the facts to determine what may have led to the accident.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Criminals have no limitations on who they target when it comes to phone scams; even 9-1-1. On April 14, 2009 the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department received two calls on 9-1-1 with a recording stating the call was from the security division of the Ventura County Credit Union and that a debit card had been compromised. The recording also requested that the 9-1-1 dispatcher enter his debit card number for verification purposes. An investigation confirmed that phone scammers placed these calls.

Anyone with a phone can become a victim if they fall for the request(s) that the perpetrator or recording present. When in doubt, be inquisitive with the caller and with yourself.

Telemarketers are required to give you their name, the company they are calling on behalf of and the product they are selling. If they don’t provide you with this information, there’s your first red flag and decline their service(s) or product. If a telemarketer asks you to pay for a portion of the “free prize” you have just won it’s no longer free. Do not give them your credit card or debit card information because if you do, you have just
made a donation, right into the suspect’s pocket.

Don’t ever confirm your personal information such as social security number, driver’s license, credit card, debit card or bank account number over the phone. Even though this individual may already have your information, if you confirm it, you have basically given them the “go ahead” or the “okay” that you agree with a charge or you agree with them having your information to begin with.

Recognize fraudulent activity. Be diligent and pro-active by always checking your monthly statements and if you feel you have been a victim of a phone scam, report it. You can find more valuable information on identity theft and phone scams at the Federal Trade Commission website at www.ftc.gov or you may call them at 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A Thousand Oaks resident recently sent $5,000.00 to someone in Canada after being led to believe she had won the Publisher’s Clearing House $1,000,000.00 sweepstakes.

The victim received an official looking check along with instructions to cash it and send $5,000.00 via Money Gram service to Canada. The funds were supposed to cover insurance for the big prize she was promised. She was expecting PCH officials to be at her house on Apr. 21, 2009, but they never came.

The check she had cashed at her bank turned out to be fraudulent. However, the money she sent to Canada was not. She is now the victim of a $5,000.00 grand theft, and Publisher’s Clearing House had nothing to do with this scam.

Advance-fee lottery scams are still a major problem. The letters and checks are arriving at your mailboxes right about now, just when you can least afford to give your money away to thieves. The targets are often people who can least afford to absorb the financial loss: the elderly. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 2400 block of Maricopa Highway, Ojai, CA
Date & Time: April 26, 2009 at approximately 1:58 AM
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau

On the above date and time, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a subject down. Upon arrival, they saw numerous people leaving a party. Fire and ambulance personnel also responded and attempted to treat the victim, a juvenile male. They were unable to revive the victim and pronounced him dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation indicated the victim was possibly involved in an altercation with another partygoer and was stabbed. An autopsy is scheduled for this afternoon.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau.

Victim: Juvenile Male
Suspect: Hispanic male(s), approximately 16-20 years old

The City of Fillmore Fire Department has completed the 2009 weed abatement inspections and will be mailing approximately sixty notices to Fillmore property owners. Notices will request property owners eradicate both natural vegetation as well as ornamental landscape vegetation that has been determined to be dangerous to structures and surrounding properties due in part to size and quantity.

The Fire Hazard Reduction Program was developed to insure a safety zone is present and maintained throughout the Summer season when extreme weather conditions pose a higher than average risk.

Each year the City of Fillmore Fire Department conducts windshield assessments of local neighborhoods to identify those areas prone to exorbitant vegetation growth. Most often these properties produce significant risk to adjacent properties and structures leading to a high likelihood for damage in the event a fire were to occur. Property owners are notified by mail and requested to remove all weeds from their property by June 1, 2009.

The City of Fillmore Fire Department has participated in the state-wide abatement program since the early 1970’s in an effort to provide a safer living environment for residents while simultaneously increasing the overall level of pride and ownership displayed by Fillmore residents.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: McDonald’s 850 N. Wendy Dr. Newbury Park, Ca. 91320
Date & Time/ RB#: Apr. 21, 2009 @ 4:45 a.m. / 09-9784
Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes Unit

Gunfire narrowly missed a robbery victim and the Good Samaritan who came to his aid early this morning outside a McDonald’s restaurant.

Two masked men confronted a McDonald’s employee with a gun when he arrived at work at 4:45 a.m. The victim struggled with the robbers and tried to get away. A local resident, who was in the nearby parking lot, helped the victim into his car, and the robbers fled on foot.

The Good Samaritan decided to follow the suspect in his car to see where they were going. When the robbers realized they were being followed, one of the men turned and fired several shots from a handgun at the Good Samaritan’s car. One of the bullets smashed through the passenger window and lodged in the driver’s doorframe, missing the robbery victim and the man who came to his aid by inches. CONTINUED »