Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Santa Paula Canyon-Punch Bowls
Date & Time: 04/19/2009-3:35 p.m.
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Search And Rescue, Aviation Unit.

Victims: Justin Stenshol (21yrs) from Santa Paula, Ca.

Narrative: On Sunday, April 19, 2009 the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Aviation / Search and Rescue Unit received a report of an injured person in the area of the “Punch Bowls” in Santa Paula Canyon. The Sheriff’s Department rescue helicopter was dispatched with a full rescue flight crew that included two flight medics.

Upon arrival at the scene, they were directed to the lower area of the Punch Bowls. This area is located in the Los Padres National Forest and is very rugged and only accessible by hiking. The victim, Justin Stenshol was located next to a large pool of water and being tended to by friends. Both flight medics were hoisted 185 feet down from the helicopter, with medical equipment, to Stenshol. Stenshol reported that he had jumped 75 feet from a cliff above into the pool of water and injured himself. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 800 Block of Warwick Avenue, Thousand Oaks, CA.
Date & Time: April 20, 2009 / 3:40 a.m. Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes

Suspect, City of residence, Age
(V-1) Tomas Araiza-Guzman, Santa Ana, 36

On 4-20-09, at about 3:40 a.m., Thousand Oaks patrol deputies responded to the 1300 block of Newbury Road in the City of Thousand Oaks to a call of a stabbing. Upon arrival, deputies learned that Tomas Araiza-Guzman had a stab wound to his left side abdomen area. During the initial investigation, deputies learned that Araiza-Guzman got into an argument with an unidentified male subject in the 800 block of Warwick Avenue in the City of Thousand Oaks, where the stabbing occurred. After being stabbed, Araiza-Guzman drove himself to the 1300 block of Newbury Road, seeking medical attention.

Araiza-Guzman was subsequently transported to Los Robles Hospital for treatment. His injuries do not appear to be life threatening. The suspect has yet to be positively identified and the investigation is on going. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact Detective Devers at 805-494-8201.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Yeto’s Market, 11065 Violeta Street, Saticoy, California
Date & Time: April 13, 2009, 5:00pm

Resident Of, Age:
John Hernandez, Saticoy, 26 years
Ruby Hernandez, Saticoy, 22 years

On April 13, 2009, John Hernandez and his girlfriend, Ruby Hernandez, drove into the parking lot of Yeto’s Market in Saticoy to make a minor purchase at the store. Ruby entered the store while John waited in the car. When Ruby returned to the car, she began to drive out of the parking lot with John in the front passenger’s seat.
As Ruby drove out of the parking lot, an unknown suspect fired approximately six rounds into the car from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Ruby drove out of the parking lot, and John told her he had been shot. Ruby took John to the Ventura County Medical Center where John was treated for an abdominal gunshot wound. Ruby suffered minor cuts to her back from either flying glass or bullet fragments. Both victims are expected to survive their injuries.

This case is under investigation. There are no suspect descriptions. Anyone who witnessed the attack is urged to call Sheriff’s Major Crimes at (805) 477-7000 or the Sheriff’s Gang Unit at (888) 58-GANGS.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Ventura Blvd, Camarillo
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of residence Age
Jesus Melchor Camarillo 31
Katarina Diaz Thousand Oaks 21

On April 7, 2009, members of the Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Unit were conducting surveillance in the area of Ventura Blvd. and Los Posas Rd., Camarillo, when they observed possible narcotic activity occurring. Through their investigation, detectives determined Jesus Melchor and Katarina Diaz were involved in sales of methamphetamine. Both subjects were arrested for conspiracy to sell methamphetamine and booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail. A small amount of methamphetamine was seized at the scene.

Ventura County Fire Department

CAMARILLO, Calif. – On April 20, the Ventura County Fire Department will mail nearly 14,000 weed abatement notices to property owners with land covered under the Fire Hazard Reduction Program. The notices inform property owners that they must establish a 100-foot clearance on their land to protect against wildfires.
“That 100-foot clearance is a critical tool for fighting wildfires,” said Fire Prevention Officer Craig Morgan. “It establishes what we call a defensible space, a buffer zone around a home that gives firefighters a much better chance of saving the structure.”

Homeowners face a June 1 deadline for clearing their property or having the county do it at the homeowner’s expense.

The program has taken on added urgency in the county as more development has occurred in what the fire service calls the Wildland Urban Interface, the area where development borders a natural area. Homes and property in these areas are at a much higher risk from a wildfire and the Fire Hazard Reduction Program was initiated to minimize that risk.

The Ventura County Fire Department started the program in 1965 and the statistics show that voluntary compliance with the program is extremely good thanks to the efforts of the engine companies and fire inspectors who supervise the work and, secondly, that the compliance continues to improve even though many more notices are now being sent than were originally mailed when the program began.

The Fire Hazard Reduction Program is operated out of the Fire Prevention Bureau. It is led by Fire Prevention Officer Craig Morgan and staffed by one full-time, and one part-time fire inspector, an office assistant and about six seasonal fire control workers. Local engine companies also assist in the compliance inspections.

Ventura County Fire Department

CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Ventura County Fire Department will honor its Firefighters of the Year at its annual Award Ceremony on Thursday, April 16, 2009. The event will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Oxnard Residence Inn, 2101 W. Vineyard Ave.

Seven firefighters, one from each battalion and two from other units, will be named as Firefighters of the Year, and members of the department’s Swift Water Rescue Team that was deployed to Louisiana and Texas to assist after hurricanes Gustav and Ike, will receive a Bureau of Emergency Services Special Service Award.

The ceremony will also honor civilian and safety personnel named as Employees of the Year by their respective bureaus. Following is the list of honorees:
Firefighter Brian Kinsley – Firefighter of the Year – Battalion One (Camarillo)
Firefighter Daniel Salas – Firefighter of the Year – Battalion Two (Ojai)
Captain Kevin Davis – Firefighter of the Year – Battalion Three (Conejo Valley)
Engineer Rob Schaper – Firefighter of the Year – Battalion Four (Simi Valley)
Captain Tom Glauser – Firefighter of the Year – Battalion Five (Santa Clara Valley)
Captain Richard Toukdarian – Firefighter of the Year – Bureau of Planning and Technology
Captain Chad Cook - Firefighter of the Year – Bureau of Support Services
Chaplain Larry Modugno - Employee of the Year – Bureau of Administration
Fire Inspector Lori Ross - Employee of the Year – Bureau of Fire Prevention
Mark Sackenreuter - Dispatcher of the Year – Fire Communications
Scot Olson – Lifesaving Award (civilian)
Swift Water Rescue Team (15 members) – Special Service Award

The department presents the awards every year to recognize outstanding achievements by its members in service to the department or the public. Fire Chief Bob Roper will preside at the ceremony and other dignitaries are expected to attend in honor of those being recognized.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff Brooks is pleased to announce that Sheriff's Technical Communications Specialist II (STCS II) Mark Stinson has been selected as the 2009 Dispatcher of the Year for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. Mark was selected by his peers and supervisors to receive this award.

Among other things, Mark was selected because he is a knowledgeable dispatcher and he is the chairperson of the Patrol/Dispatch Committee.
In the latter role, Mark helps maintain open lines of communication between the patrol deputies and the dispatchers. He makes a point of soliciting input from others and ensuring that suggestions are thoroughly explored.

In addition to being friendly and courteous, Mark is always willing to help his team with whatever is needed. He does more than his share to bring humor to the workplace, which is especially appreciated following stressful events. As one colleague noted, "Not only is Mark a great co-worker, but a great friend as well." CONTINUED »

Location: Sheriff’s Communications Center, 800 South Victoria Ave. Ventura, CA.
Date & Time: April 12 – 19, 2009
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Communications Center

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is April 12 – 18, 2009, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is honoring the public safety dispatchers who serve as the lifeline for people who need law enforcement assistance. These public safety dispatchers have dedicated their careers to public service and in many cases they have made the difference between life and death.

Each year, the dispatchers and supervisors at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department handle almost 400,000 telephone calls, including more than 69,000 9-1-1 calls in 2008. Last year, these calls resulted in more than 106,000 law enforcement responses. Regardless of the workload, the dispatchers handle each call individually to ensure that the people of Ventura County receive the assistance that they need.

Public safety dispatchers must undergo a rigorous testing and background process before being hired. After they have been hired, new dispatchers must attend the three-week Basic Dispatcher Course that is certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Typically, the training process also includes four additional weeks of classroom training and 6 – 12 months of on-the-job training before the new dispatcher is allowed to work independently.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will also be honoring Mark Stinson during the Dispatcher Awards Banquet on May 2, 2009. Mark was selected by his peers and supervisors as the 2009 Dispatcher of the Year.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Mount Pinos. Los Padres National Forest. Ventura / Kern County Line
Date & Time: 4/5/09, 11:00 am
Unit Responsible: Special Services / Aviation - Search and Rescue Unit

Victims, City of residence, Age:
Priti, Patel, Bakersfield, Ca. 42
(Minor Child), Bakersfield, Ca., 11

On 4/5/09, at approximately 12:48 pm, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department received a call of lost hikers near the summit of Mount Pinos, which reaches the highest elevation in Ventura County at approximately 8,831 feet. A group of about 20 family members and friends set out from the Mount Pinos Nordic Base for a brief day hike to the summit at Condor Point. During the trip, Priti Patel and her daughter decided to turn back and return to the base while the remainder of the group continued on to the summit. After completing their trip, the group returned to the base but were unable to locate Priti or her daughter. The pair had last been seen at approximately 11:00 am. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 1300 Block West Kamala Street, Oxnard
Date & Time: 4-3-2009 / 11:30 a.m.
Unit Responsible: Sheriff's Gang Unit

(S)uspects, City of residence, Age, Charge
Diaz, Oscar, Oxnard, 23, Felon in possession of firearm

The Sheriff's Gang Unit arrested an armed parolee Friday as he attempted to flee from investigators in the 1300 Block of West Kamala Street.
Investigators received information that Oscar Diaz, an El Rio gang member, was possibly involved in an attempted armed robbery that occurred last month. Investigators had already made three arrests in that case but had not recovered the handgun used in the crime. Diaz was on parole and subject to search by law enforcement officers.
At about 1130 hrs, gang investigators went to Diaz' residence in the 1300 Block of West Kamala Street to conduct a search pursuant to Diaz' parole terms. Investigators went to the front door, which was secured by a locked security screen. Diaz spoke to investigators through the security screen and refused to open the door. A few moments later, Diaz attempted to flee out a rear door. Diaz was holding a loaded handgun as he ran and was immediately confronted by Sheriff Gang Unit investigators. Diaz surrendered and was arrested. The loaded handgun was recovered.
Diaz is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. Diaz was booked into the Ventura County jail for being a felon in possession of a handgun and violation of his parole terms. He is being held without bail.

Location: Camarillo
Date & Time: April 1, 2009 10:30 A.M.

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, (P)arties Age
(S1) Male Juvenile, Camarillo Resident 17 Years

On September 14, 2008, a Camarillo resident (2500 block of Pepperwood Dr.) reported someone entered their home while they were asleep during the night and stole several items. The resident explained they left their rear sliding glass door unlocked and when they woke up a laptop computer was missing. Further investigation revealed several other items were also missing.

After a lengthy investigation, Camarillo Detectives were able to gather enough evidence to arrest the suspect on April 1, 2009. The suspect is a 17-year-old juvenile who was taken into custody in the area of Benito Drive and Vincente Ave. in the City of Camarillo.

The suspect was later booked at Juvenile Hall for residential burglary.

Deputy Erik Roe has been selected as the 2009 Moorpark Station Officer of the Year. The award is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Moorpark. Erik was selected for this award because of his exceptional work product and the fact he continually takes great pride in serving the residents of Moorpark. He has been with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department for 8 years, has worked in the Detention Services and Patrol Services Divisions, and is currently assigned to patrol in the City of Moorpark. In addition:

• Erik is a Field Training Officer, responsible for mentoring and training others
• Member of the Mentoring Team for Recruits in the Basic Academy
• Member of the firearms instructional staff, and an FBI Certified Firearms Instructor.
• Certified Less Lethal Use of Force Instructor
• Taser International Certified Master Instructor for the Department, responsible not only for training personnel in the use of the Taser but also a member of the Department’s Taser Committee.

Erik holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University. Erik doesn’t like sitting still. He always seems to have something going on, which is a testament to his solid work ethic and passion for the members of the community he serves and the Law Enforcement profession in general.

A luncheon in Deputy Roe’s honor will be held by the Rotary Club of Moorpark at the Moorpark Country Club on May 1, 2009.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Calle La Sombra, Camarillo
Unit Responsible: Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail & Ventura County Sheriff Narcotics

Suspect, Age:
Rico, Rudy, 24

On 3/26/2009, the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail concluded a month long investigation into suspect Rudy Rico who was reportedly selling marijuana and Ecstasy to high school aged juveniles. With the assistance of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit, a search warrant was served at Rico’s residence and an offsite storage locker located in the City of Camarillo. Marijuana with a potential street value of $5,000 was seized, along with smaller quantities of Ecstasy, steroids, Xanex and cocaine. A loaded 9mm handgun belonging to Rico was also recovered at the residence and seized as evidence.

Rico was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail and bail was set at $20,000.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: City of Camarillo
Date: 03/26/2009
Unit Responsible: Camarillo Investigations

Suspect Address: Age:
Dave Woods, Camarillo, 29
Victim:
Female Juvenile, Camarillo, 16

On the evening of 03/26/2009, Dave Woods sent several sexually explicit telephone text messages to a 16-year-old minor female. Woods is a teacher at the Cornerstone Christian School in Camarillo and the victim is a student at the same school.

Pursuant to an investigation, Dave Woods was arrested for a violation of Penal Code 288.3(a), which is defined as sending communications to a minor with the intent to commit sexual offenses.

This investigation is still ongoing. At this time, detectives are seeking any additional victims or potential witnesses and are encouraged to contact the Camarillo Police Department at (805) 388-5100.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 800 block of Thomas St., Oak View, CA

Involved Parties, Address, Age
Female Child, Ojai, 2 ½
Female Child, Ojai, 22 months
Scot Olson, Ventura, 47

Landscaper Scot Olson was working in a yard in the 800 Block of Thomas Street in Oak View. A family reunion was in progress next door with several children playing outside. Olson noticed two toddlers near the swimming pool and called to them to stay away from the pool. Believing adults were monitoring the children he returned to his work. A few moments later he looked over at the pool again and saw one of the toddlers floating on the surface of the water. Olson broke through a picket fence that surrounded the yards, pulled the floating child from the pool and began rescue breathing. Seeing the other child was at the bottom of the pool he yelled for help and continued rescue breathing on the first. A woman came running to the pool and dove in to retrieve the child from the bottom. Olson was able to revive the first toddler, then helped pull the second child from the pool. He immediately began rescue breathing on her too and was able to revive her. Both girls had regained consciousness prior to the arrival of emergency medical services. The children were transported to local area hospitals where they were treated and later released to their parents.

Mr. Olson’s decision to take action, quick intervention and knowledge in resuscitation techniques clearly saved the lives of these two girls!

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Castillo De Rosas @ Worth Way, Camarillo
Date & Time: 03-28-09 / 1:50 a.m.
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, Address, Age
(V) Female, N/A, 25
(S) White Male (see below for further info), Unknown, Late 20’s to Early 30’s

On 03-28-09, at approximately 1:50 a.m., the victim was walking alone in a residential neighborhood. The suspect pulled up in a pickup and asked for directions to a gas station. As the victim was giving directions, the suspect got out of the truck and forcefully grabbed her by the arm, pulling her towards him. When the victim resisted, the suspect grabbed her by her sweatshirt and again tried to pull her towards him. The victim was able to break free and run away, at which time the suspect returned to his truck and drove south on Worth Way towards Upland Road.

Sheriff’s deputies thoroughly searched the area for the suspect but were not able to locate him. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Throughout the city of Thousand Oaks and neighboring communities
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Investigations Bureau

Arrestees, Address, Age:
Wines, Jason, Thousand Oaks, 29
Barboza, Juan, Santa Fe, N.M., 30
Garcia, Faustino, Thousand Oaks, 21
Albarran, Alfonso, North Hills, Ca., 35

An investigation of recent vehicle burglary activity in Thousand Oaks led to the arrests of four men, who are believed to be responsible for at least 50 burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles since the beginning of 2009.

A late-night traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Juan Barboza and Jason Wines revealed a significant amount of stolen property inside the Lincoln Navigator they were driving. Juan Barboza had driven to Thousand Oaks to meet with Jason Wines and Faustino Garcia to purchase stolen property from the two men.

Investigators arrested the two men and impounded the vehicle. A search of a nearby residence rented by Faustino Garcia revealed additional stolen property. As the investigation progressed, the focus turned to the San Fernando Valley, where much of the stolen property was being sold to people on the street. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Best Buy 390 N. Moorpark Rd. Thousand Oaks, Ca.
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Investigations Bureau

Arrestees, Address, Age
Stoncius, Vytatutas, West Hollywood, 23
Polyakov, Eugeny, West Hollywood, 23
Kostilev, Aleksey, West Hollywood, 20
Prokopyev, Aleksey, West Hollywood, 27

An investigation into what began as an elaborate shoplifting scheme at a Thousand Oaks retail store, led to the seizure of an extensive identification and credit card manufacturing operation based in a West Hollywood apartment.

Detective Russell King began looking into a shoplifting incident at Best Buy that occurred in August, 2008. Best Buy loss prevention had reported several incidents involving two men who purchased high-end televisions and then used their receipts to steal additional merchandise. A break in the case came when a Best Buy employee followed the men outside and wrote down a license plate.

The investigation led to Aleksey Prokopyev of West Hollywood. Last week, investigators from the Thousand Oaks Police Department, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) served a search warrant at Prokopyev’s apartment, where they found more than one thousand counterfeit credit and gift cards, along with specialized equipment to manufacture credit cards and identification cards.

Investigators arrested all four men for a variety of charges, including criminal conspiracy and commercial burglary. All are being held without bail at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura.

All of the men were in the United States illegally, and are being held on immigration violations in addition to the other criminal charges. Two of the men are Russian nationals, another is from Lithuania, while the fourth is
from Uzbekistan.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Locations:
1) 200 Block Valley Road, Oak View
2) 800 Block West El Roblar Drive, Ojai
3) 100 Block West Prospect Street, Ventura
4) 10200 Block Darling Road, Ventura
5) 2900 Block Apache Avenue, Ventura
6) 300 Block Anacapa Street, Ventura
7) 300 Block Franklin Lane, Ventura
8) 300 Block Mesa Drive, Ojai
9) 100 Block Arcade Drive, Ventura
10) 5100 Block Rhoads Avenue, Santa Barbara
11) 500 Block Maple Street, Carpinteria
12) 4100 Block North Ventura Avenue, Ventura
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit

Suspects, Charge, City of residence, Age:

1) Kada, Martin, U.I. methamphetamine, Possession of a loaded firearm while under the influence of methamphetamine, Ventura, 36

2) Ivans, James, Possession methamphetamine, Possession of a deadly weapon, Commit a felony while out on bail, Ventura, 37

The Ventura County Sheriff Gang Unit, assisted by several local and federal agencies, served 12 search warrants in two counties, as part of an ongoing investigation into the Hell’s Angels criminal street gang. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of 9 handguns, methamphetamine, stolen motorcycles, prescription pills, and dangerous weapons. Two members of the Hell’s Angels were arrested during the operation.

The investigation began on 1-17-2009 when the president of the Santa Barbara Hell’s Angels brandished a firearm at two recreational motorcycle riders in the Ojai valley. Santa Barbara Hell’s Angel president Archie Schaffer was traveling in a pickup truck behind a group of motorcycles, northbound on Highway 33 at Casitas Springs. Schaffer began tailgating the motorcycles at an extremely close range forcing them to move from one lane to another. During the incident, Schaffer forced one of the motorcycles into oncoming traffic and brandished a firearm at two other motorcyclists. A witness tailing the incident captured portions of the incident with a video recorder.

Gang investigators served two search warrants shortly after the incident in an attempt to retrieve the handgun used in the incident. No handguns were recovered at that time. Schaffer was arrested on 1-30-2009 and is currently out on $160,000 bail awaiting trial.

On 3-25-2009, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit served 12 search warrants on members of the Ventura and Santa Barbara Chapter Hell’s Angels. Sheriff’s gang investigators were assisted by investigators from the Major Crimes Unit, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, Santa Barbara Police Department, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and FBI.

During the service of the search warrants, James Ivans was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, un-prescribed Vicodin, and a dangerous weapon. He was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail. Ivans, who is currently out on $100,000 dollar bail on a 2008 extortion case and a possession for sales of methamphetamine case, was additionally charged with committing a felony while out on bail.

Martin Kada was found to be under the influence of methamphetamine while in possession of a loaded firearm and in possession of a dangerous weapon. He was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail. Kada, who is also out on bail on a 2009 transportation of methamphetamine case, was also charged with committing a felony while out on bail.

Investigators also recovered two stolen motorcycles during the searches. Investigators anticipate making more arrests as they sort through the evidence taken in today’s searches.

Gang Investigators from around the county work closely with each other and routinely assist one another in large-scale enforcement operations.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is committed to gang enforcement and aggressively investigates all gang crimes committed in its jurisdiction.