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By Ray Dominguez — Wednesday, September 10th, 2014
July – August 2014 Edition
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department A message from Detective Ray Dominguez: I have found that victims reporting these burglaries are routinely leaving the vehicle keys in the ignition. This is a bad practice that simply makes it easier for the crooks to steal your vehicle! Please don’t leave the keys to your trucks, tractors, UTV’s, ATV’s and other equipment in the ignition. Make sure that your vehicles are stored in a secure manner and the keys to the vehicles and equipment are stored apart. Bring vehicles into secure areas overnight and avoid leaving them in farm fields or other unsecure areas. Vehicles that are left in plain sight attract vandals and thieves looking to damage or steal your property. If vehicles or other equipment are being stored over an extended period of time, you may want to consider disconnecting power supplies, removing car batteries or installing kill-switches. If storing trailers or other portable equipment, you may consider removing the tires or placing a parking “wheel boot” type of theft deterrent device on it. There are plenty of vendors on the internet marketing these devices for various applications. With regard to CONTINUED » |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On Sunday, August 24, 2014, a burglary occurred in the 600 block of McAndrews Road, in Ojai. The suspects stole jewelry, computers, credit cards, and other miscellaneous property. Investigators from the Ojai Patrol Station, working with detectives from the Ventura Police Department, identified one male suspect, Frank Morales, and one female suspect, Mellissa Carrillo. The two suspects had made purchases with the victim’s credit cards in Ventura. On August 28, 2014, it was learned Frank Morales was the focus of a parallel investigation by the Oxnard and Port Hueneme Police Departments related to a separate burglary. The Port Hueneme Police Department was successful in apprehending Morales after a brief foot pursuit. Working collaboratively, Ventura Sheriff, Oxnard and Port Hueneme detectives were able to later locate and apprehend Mellissa Carrillo. Detectives are actively working to recover the victim’s stolen property and determine whether the two are responsible for any other burglaries in the area. Both Morales and Carrillo were booked at the Ventura County Main Jail for forgery, burglary, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy. Nature of Incident: Residential Burglary Arrests Made 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 8-27-2014, the Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Bike Team, along with agents from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), conducted Informed Merchants Preventing Alcohol-Related Crime Tendencies (IMPACT) inspections at thirteen off-sale retail locations. Off-sale means merchants are authorized to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises where sold. IMPACT inspections remind licensees of the responsibilities and accountability associated with the sale of alcohol. The officers ensure licensed premises are in compliance with State and local laws. The officers may also look for loitering, litter, graffiti, posted signs, slot machines, illegal weapons, or other violations. Although the focus of IMPACT inspections is to educate, officers will take action if they observe any major violations. A checklist is used to note any violations, and follow-up will be conducted to verify problem areas have been corrected. During the inspections, only minor violations were found that were corrected immediately. No major violations were observed. The Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Bike Team will continue to conduct periodic inspections in the future. Nature of Incident: Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) IMPACT Inspections 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On August 28, 2014, The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service reference a commercial burglary at a ranch in Somis. The ranch has been the target of several burglaries over the past two weeks. The initial investigation revealed that unidentified suspect(s) forced entry into a large storage building and stole various gardening tools including chainsaws, leaf blowers, and “weed-whackers.” The suspect(s) also stole a flatbed truck from the location. The stolen vehicle was later recovered at the scene of a second burglary location in the Oxnard Plains. While investigating the second reported burglary, deputies discovered that a vehicle was stolen from that location as well, and is still outstanding. Citizens are asked to report burglaries immediately to the Sheriff’s Office and to stay out of the crime scene to protect potential evidence. The Sheriff’s Office also recommends that vehicles be stored in a secure manner, with keys kept away from the vehicle. We also recommend that citizens mark their equipment for identification and maintain record of the make, model, and serial numbers. Anyone with information related to this series of burglaries is asked to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office or provide information anonymously via the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. Nature of Incident: Recent Agricultural Area Burglaries 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, August 27th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Law enforcement investigators have interrupted a complex criminal enterprise that was responsible for the distribution of large quantities of narcotics from Mexico into Ventura County and other parts of the United States. The investigation has culminated with the arrests of several individuals, including influential Mexican Mafia members. The suspects have been indicted by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The year-long joint investigation was led by investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office who formed a task force comprised of various local and federal agencies. The investigation found that members of the Mexican Mafia were conspiring with Drug Trafficking Organizations (D.T.O.) and the Sinaloa Cartel to import narcotics into the United States, including Ventura County. The investigation found that the Mexican Mafia members controlled a vast network and used proceeds of the drug sales to fund their criminal enterprise. The Mexican Mafia used its reputation for violence to extort and control drug trafficking. The criminal origination also distributed narcotics to local gangs for the purposes of sales. Some of the proceeds were used to purchase guns for various gang members. Thus far, detectives have seized $4,375,000 in cash and illicit drugs with a street value of over $5,000,000. The indictments list charges including extortion, conspiracy, criminal street gang enhancements, sales of controlled substances, and possession for sales of controlled substances. Specifics on evidence seized: Nature of Incident: Investigators Arrest Suspects in National & International Criminal |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, August 26th, 2014
San Francisco, CA – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and state partners, today announced a settlement with Bank of America to resolve federal and state civil claims related to Bank of America’s conduct in the packaging, securitization, marketing, sale, and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities prior to January 1, 2009. Nationally, the settlement totals $16.65 billion including cash and credit for consumer relief. California will recover $300 million in damages, which will reimburse the state’s pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, for losses on investments in mortgage-backed securities of Bank of America and its affiliates. California is also guaranteed at least $500 million in consumer relief credits. “Bank of America profited by misleading investors about the risky nature of the mortgage-backed securities it sold,” Attorney General Harris said. “This settlement makes our pension funds whole for the financial losses caused by these misrepresentations and brings help to hard-pressed homeowners and communities in California.” Nationwide, the bank will pay a total of $9.65 billion in cash, and provide $7 billion in consumer relief credits. The consumer relief includes loan forgiveness to lessen the burden on underwater homeowners and distressed borrowers, help to affected communities through donation of properties, financing of affordable rental housing, and support for housing counseling and legal aid. The consumer relief to California includes at least $380 million of credit in first lien principal forgiveness. As part of the settlement, Bank of America acknowledged it made serious misrepresentations to investors about the mortgage loans it securitized in residential mortgage-backed securities. The settlement does not absolve Bank of America or its employees from facing any possible criminal charges. An investigation conducted by Attorney General Harris showed that the offering documents for the securities failed to accurately disclose the true characteristics of many of the underlying mortgages, and that due diligence to weed out poor quality loans had not been adequately performed. The settlement with Bank of America arises from the investigation into mortgage-backed securities by Attorney General Harris’ Mortgage Fraud Strike Force, which was formed in May 2011 to comprehensively investigate misconduct in the mortgage industry. The Attorney General's additional efforts to investigate the mortgage crisis include securing an estimated $20 billion for California in the National Mortgage Settlement and sponsoring the California Homeowner Bill of Rights, a package of laws instituting permanent mortgage-related reforms. In July 2014, Attorney General Harris announced a settlement with Citigroup Inc. of nearly $200 million over its misrepresentations in residential mortgage-backed securities sold to CalPERS and CalSTRS. In November of last year, a settlement with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. recovered $300 million for CalPERS and CalSTRS. Bank of America customers can call 877.488.7814 for more information. For more information on the U.S. DOJ settlement visit: http://www.justice.gov/ |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, August 18th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On August 14, 2014, at 9:50 a.m., a deputy assigned to the Camarillo station was on routine patrol in the 1300 block of Del Norte Road. The deputy observed an adult male near the businesses in the area that appeared to be injured and unresponsive. The Ventura County Fire Dept. and an ambulance were summoned. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. Major Crimes Detectives are handling the investigation. Anyone with information about this incident can call Detective Albert Ramirez at (805) 384-4738. The deceased male's identity is not being released at this time, pending family notification by the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. Nature of Incident: Suspicious Death 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, August 18th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department An aerial reconnaissance mission discovered illegal marijuana cultivation in the Los Padres National Forest north of the City of Ojai. One suspect was arrested. In July 2014, Sheriff’s Air Unit and narcotics detectives conducted an aerial reconnaissance mission in search of marijuana growing illegally in the Ventura County backcountry. Investigators located a large marijuana garden in the Los Padres National Forest north of the City of Ojai, in the Rose Valley area. On August 12, a follow up flight was made in preparation for an eradication scheduled for August 14. It was discovered that approximately three fourths of the plants had been harvested. Investigators were dropped into the site and were searching for evidence when the Air Unit saw two subjects running through the brush. Detectives chased one subject through the heavy brush until he was eventually lost. The helicopter was able to maintain visual contact while another helicopter was summoned to bring additional personnel. Upon the arrival of the second helicopter, Josue Cardenas was taken into custody by a member of the Sheriff’s Air Unit. He was booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail for cultivation of marijuana and resisting arrest. On August 14, members of the Sheriff’s Mountain Marijuana Eradication Team, the California National Guard, and the California Department of Justice Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (C.A.M.P.) eradicated the illegal marijuana cultivation. 847 marijuana plants, 5 to 6 feet tall, were eradicated and an additional 12 pounds of processed marijuana was seized. The campsite and cooking locations were removed as well as hundreds of feet of irrigation tubing, fertilizers, and trash. The suspects had diverted water from a natural spring approximately one half mile away. It appeared that several people had been working in the cultivation prior to the eradication. Nature of Incident: Marijuana cultivation eradication and arrest |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, August 12th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Acting on a tip, narcotics investigators discovered an illegal marijuana cultivation. In July 2014, narcotics investigators received information of a possible marijuana cultivation on Monterey St, in the unincorporated area of Ojai known as Mira Monte. Detectives drove to this area and were able to see several marijuana plants in the backyard of a residence. On July 18, 2014, a Search Warrant was served at the house. Investigators located 99 marijuana plants, 6’- 8’ tall. The search of the residence revealed 6.6 pounds of processed marijuana, over $7,000.00 in cash, and two guns. The occupants of the residence, Barry Lee Case, and his son, Barry Niel Case, were arrested for possession of marijuana for sale and cultivation of marijuana. Both were booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail Nature of Incident: Illegal Marijuana Cultivation Arrests |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, August 6th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Investigators from the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit received a Crime Stoppers Tip at the end of July 2014, stating that Anthony Barragan was dealing cocaine and prescription drugs from his residence in the 1800 block of Dorrit Street, Newbury Park. The tip detailed heavy drug traffic occurring at the residence during all hours of the day. Investigators conducted surveillance at the location on July 31, and almost immediately saw Anthony Barragan conduct a drug deal with a 17 year old juvenile. The juvenile drove a short distance away from Barragan’s residence and then appeared to use cocaine in plain view of the detectives. Investigators arranged for the juvenile to be stopped by patrol deputies. Patrol deputies ultimately arrested the juvenile for under the influence and possession of cocaine. Based on the observations of the investigating detectives, combined with the crime stoppers tip, a search warrant was sought and obtained for Barragan’s residence. On 8-1-14, investigators watched Barragan’s residence. Detectives saw Barragan get into a vehicle that arrived in front of his residence. Investigators, suspecting Barragan was conducting a drug deal, detained the occupants of the vehicle and Barragan a short distance away. Investigators confirmed Barragan was conducting a cocaine deal with the driver, Angel Bracamontes, and his passenger, Roselyn Marceleno. Barragan was arrested for sales of cocaine, as well as the sales charge to a minor from the day prior. Bracamontes and Marceleno were arrested for possession of cocaine. As detectives were planning to serve the search warrant at the residence, Jesse Place walked out of the house and drove away. He was also detained and found to be under the influence of cocaine. Investigators served the search warrant at the house and discovered additional cocaine possessed for sale in Barragan’s bedroom. Barragan was additionally arrested for possession for sales of cocaine. Barragan remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail. He is facing several years in prison for selling cocaine to a minor. Bracamontes, Marceleno, Place, and the 17 year old all have pending court dates. In the recent past, investigators from the pharmaceutical crimes unit have made a total of ten arrests of teenagers or young adults selling and possessing cocaine in the areas of Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake. The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is a full time task force comprised of members of law enforcement from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Simi Valley Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, and the California Highway Patrol. The task force’s main mission is combatting the transfer of legal prescription medication to the illegal market. A secondary, and equally important mission, is identifying and stopping emerging drug trends among our county’s youth. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office East County Narcotics Street Team assisted in this investigation. Nature of Incident: 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, August 6th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Today, at approximately 10:56AM, a Thousand Oaks Motorcycle Officer attempted to stop a vehicle traveling erratically in the area of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Moorpark Road. A short pursuit ensued and the driver of the Dodge pick-up truck lost control, colliding with a fence and a tree which caused it to lose a front tire. The vehicle continued westbound on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, toward oncoming traffic, when the driver fled the moving vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop in the center median prior to entering the east bound lanes of Thousand Oaks Blvd. Two passengers remained in the truck until it stopped and were immediately taken into custody. Approximately thirty minutes later, after an extensive search by the Sheriff’s K9 Unit, Air Unit, and the CA Highway Patrol, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Thomas Meza, was arrested in a nearby residential neighborhood. Meza was located with the assistance of citizens who called in and advised his whereabouts. Mesa and passenger Christopher Rodriguez were taken to area hospitals for treatment and released into Sheriff’s custody. Both men were arrested and booked into the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Ashley Moraga was also arrested and booked into the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility. All three subjects were booked for numerous charges including Felony Evading / Hit and Run, possession of stolen property, warrants, being under the influence of drugs, and other potential drug related charges. Thomas Meza was also booked for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs. Due to the nature of this incident, Investigators are continuing to gather information which could lead to additional victims of theft as well as additional charges to the suspects. Anyone with any pertinent information regarding this case is asked to contact the Thousand Oaks PD Traffic Bureau / Investigations Bureau. Nature of Incident: Pursuit Ending in Arrest of three Individuals 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, July 28th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department At approximately 12:45 a.m., deputies responded to a call of a stabbing in the 100 block of Holt Street in the unincorporated area of Ventura. A fight between two male subjects led to the victim being fatally stabbed. The victim, Devin Morris, was pronounced dead at the scene. Major Crimes Detectives conducted numerous interviews and searches, ultimately leading to the identification and arrest of Howard Lovette for the homicide. Lovette was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility with a bail of $500,000.00. Anyone with information about the investigation is encouraged to call Major Crimes, Detective John Gleason at (805) 384-4727. Nature of Incident: Murder 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On July 19, 2014, deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office conducted compliance checks at the residences of forty registered sex offenders in the communities of Saticoy, El Rio, Nyeland Acres, Hollywood Beach, Silver Strand Beach and the Rincon. The compliance checks were part of the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) grant. Thirty five of the forty registered sex offenders were in compliance with their registration requirement. Five of the registrants were not contacted because they were not home or had moved. Sheriff’s detectives will follow-up to determine if the registrants are out-of-compliance. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting similar sweeps throughout the county. The purpose is to verify registered sex offenders are living at their reported residences and in compliance with any probation or parole terms. Residents of Ventura County can visit the Megan’s Law website (www.meganslaw.ca.gov) to familiarize themselves with the sex registrants in their community. Nature of Incident: Sex Registrant Compliance Checks Date & Time: July 19, 2014 Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against person(s) responsible for crimes within our community. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, July 21st, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On May 12, 2014, a 22 year old male Camarillo resident was physically attacked and forced out of his girlfriend’s Camarillo residence by two suspects. The suspects proceeded to violently force the victim into an awaiting vehicle driven by a third suspect. The victim was then driven to a secluded parking lot where he was severely beaten by the suspects. The victim sustained a fractured jaw and multiple contusions during the attack. Investigators identified the suspects as Jess Chambers, Sean Hendricks, and Eric Dean. As the investigation progressed, numerous witnesses were interviewed, search warrants were served, and numerous items of evidentiary value were collected over the course of several weeks. Investigators arrested Jess Chambers, Sean Hendricks, and Eric Dean for 207 PC - kidnapping and 243(d) PC – Battery causing serious bodily injury. All three suspects have been booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Nature of Incident: Arrests for Kidnapping and Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury Approved by: Captain R. Watkins |
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By Anonymous — Thursday, July 17th, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris will convene state and federal officials from the U.S., Mexico and El Salvador for a multinational summit focused on the use of technology to fight transnational organized crime. The summit, held in association with the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG), will focus on human trafficking, intellectual property violations and money laundering. “Transnational criminal organizations are increasingly using sophisticated networks and technology to commit crimes against the people of California, the United States, and globally,” Attorney General Harris said. “This summit will build on the partnership we forged in Mexico City this March to combat the increased use of social media in human trafficking and disrupt money laundering schemes in the U.S.-Mexico border region. I want to thank my colleagues and international partners for joining me to address this serious issue.” Attendees at the summit, the 2014 CWAG Alliance Partnership Binational State Attorney General Exchange, include U.S. state attorneys general, U.S. federal officials, Mexico Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam, El Salvador Attorney General Luis Martinez, and Mexico state attorneys general. The summit follows a U.S. delegation visit led by Attorney General Harris to Mexico City in March to strengthened relationships between government officials in both countries and enhanced efforts to combat transnational crime. During the visit, the bipartisan delegation met with Mexico Attorney General Murillo Karam to discuss shared priorities in the fight against transnational crime. The delegation, which included the state attorneys general from Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New Mexico, also with Mexican state attorneys general from Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua, Campeche, Distrito Federal, Zacatecas and Jalisco. The delegation also signed a letter of intent with the National Banking and Securities Commission of Mexico to establish a binational working group on money laundering enforcement. (https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-...) Prior to leading CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Monday, July 14th, 2014
LOS ANGELES, CA – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and state partners, today announced a settlement with Citigroup Inc. to resolve federal and state civil claims related to Citigroup’s conduct in the packaging, securitization, marketing, sale, and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities prior to January 1, 2009. Nationally, the settlement totals $7 billion. California will recover $102,700,000 in damages, which will reimburse the state’s pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, for losses on investments in mortgage-backed securities of Citigroup and its affiliates. California is also guaranteed at least $90 million in consumer relief. “Citigroup misled consumers and profited by providing California’s pension funds with incomplete information about mortgage investments,” Attorney General Harris said. “This settlement holds Citi accountable and compensates the state’s pension funds that protect the retirement savings of hardworking Californians.” As part of the settlement, Citigroup acknowledged it made serious misrepresentations to the public, including investors, about the mortgage loans it securitized in residential mortgage-backed securities. The resolution also requires Citigroup to provide relief to underwater homeowners, distressed borrowers, and affected communities through a variety of means including financing affordable rental housing developments for low-income families in high-cost areas. The settlement does not absolve Citigroup or its employees from facing any possible criminal charges. An investigation conducted CONTINUED » |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, July 14th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department In the early morning hours of July 7, 2014, patrol deputies were dispatched to a stabbing that had just occurred in the 800 block of Warwick Avenue in the City of Thousand Oaks. When deputies arrived they found the victim, Jose Barragan, lying on the ground with several bystanders trying to treat his injuries. Ventura County Fire and American Medical Response arrived shortly after the patrol deputies and began treating Barragan. Barragan was transported to the Los Robles Hospital for his injuries. While at the hospital it was discovered that Barragan had multiple stab wounds to his upper torso and neck. Barragan was treated for his injuries and placed into the Intensive Care Unit. The reporting parties to the incident advised dispatch that the suspects had left the area in a vehicle driving toward Wilbur Road. Patrol deputies responding to the scene observed and stopped the vehicle nearby. The driver of the vehicle was Brianna Ayala, the front passenger was Jonathan Alinei, and the rear passenger was Hector Martinez. The investigation revealed this was a gang related attack. The victim, Jose Barragan, is a documented member of a criminal street gang in the City of Thousand Oaks, and the suspects are documented members of a rival criminal street gang in the City of Thousand Oaks. On July 8, 2014, Detectives with the Special Enforcement / Gang Unit conducted surveillance in the City of Glendale and took Navarro into custody without incident. All four suspects were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for Penal Code sections 664/187 – Attempted Murder, 186.22(a) – Street Terrorism Act, and 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy with bail amounts ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000. Jonathan Alinei, Hector Martinez, and Brianna Ayala are scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court today July 9, 2014, at 1:30 PM. Since Brandon Navarro was arrested a day later he is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on July 10, 2014 at 1:30 PM. Nature of Incident: Gang Related Attempted Murder, Stabbing 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, July 7th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is very pleased to announce that we have collected 2,830.3 pounds of unused / expired medication through the first six months of 2014. During 2013, we collected a total of 5,288.2 pounds of unused medication, so we are currently on pace for another record setting year. A breakdown of this year’s collection for the first half of the year is as follows: Ojai station – 106 pounds, Fillmore station - 16.1 pounds, Camarillo station – 1,196 pounds, Moorpark station – 158.2 pounds, Headquarters station – 178 pounds, and Thousand Oaks station, 1,176 pounds. A breakdown of the 2013 collection totals is as follows: Ojai station – 143 pounds, Fillmore station – 93.9 pounds, Camarillo station – 2,197 pounds, Moorpark station – 249.3 pounds, Headquarters station – 257 pounds, and Thousand Oaks station, 2,348 pounds. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens of Ventura County, for their outstanding effort to make our communities safer. The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in the United States. Additionally, the majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family, friends and the home medicine cabinet. Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. If you want to drop off unused / expired medications at any Sheriff’s Substation, we have Pharmaceutical drop-off bins in all of our lobbies. The lobbies are open Monday-Friday from 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Nature of Incident: Pharmaceutical Collections for the first half of 2014 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, July 1st, 2014
 Adam Esquivel, Camarillo, 38 On June 25, 2014, Investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau arrested Adam Esquivel for committing a lewd act with a child under 10 years old. Esquivel had inappropriately touched a 3-year-old victim while the victim was at Esquivel’s residence. Esquivel is a member of the United States Navy. Esquivel is currently in custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on $250,000.00 bail. He will be arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court on June 27, 2014. Due to the seriousness of the crime, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to know if Esquivel may have assaulted other victims. Anyone with information that may help in identifying witnesses or other potential victims is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, Detective Frances Saleh at 805-384-4729. Nature of Incident: Suspect Arrested for Committing Lewd Acts with a Child 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, July 1st, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Major Crimes detectives and Jail personnel are investigating a Pre-Trial Detention Facility inmate death that occurred at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. On June 27, 2014, the Oxnard Police Department arrested Juan Zavala for resisting arrest, resisting an executive officer and escape from arrest. Oxnard Police transported Zavala to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated and cleared for booking by hospital staff. At 10:14 PM, Oxnard Police booked Zavala at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for the listed charges. During the booking process, Zavala attempted to kick a deputy and was placed in a cell for his safety and constant monitoring. Zavala displayed bizarre behavior and signs of being under the influence of drugs. At approximately 2:45 AM, just 4 ½ hours from the time Zavala was brought into the jail, medical staff and jail personnel came to the aid of Inmate Zavala who was in distress in his cell. Staff provided emergency medical aid while additional resources were summoned. Ventura City Fire personnel and paramedics arrived and Zavala was transported to Community Memorial Hospital by ambulance. Zavala was treated by hospital staff and later pronounced dead at about 2:00 PM. The cause of death is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit, pending an autopsy by the Medical Examiner. Nature of Incident: Inmate Death |