Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Suspects, City of residence, Age
Wilfredo Chavarria aka Rudy and Raul, Van Nuys, 24
Joshua Chavarria, Van Nuys, 22
Osmar Robles, Van Nuys, 27

On 9-16-2008, the East County Narcotics Street Team along with the City of Simi Valley Police Department’s Narcotic Unit concluded a three- month long investigation into a group of individuals responsible for selling heroin to various buyers in the City of Thousand Oaks and the City of Simi Valley. Wilfredo Chavarria and Osmar Robles were arrested for selling heroin, conspiracy and possessing heroin for sales. Joshua Chavarria was arrested for possessing heroin. Approximately 50 grams of heroin and approximately $2,500.00 was seized during the investigation. Wilfredo Chavarria and Osmar Robles were booked into the Ventura County Jail pending their arraignment on 9-18-2008. Joshua Chavarria was released pending further investigation. Additional arrests and seizures are expected to occur as the investigation continues.

Fallen Firefighters of Ventura County

Firefighters from agencies across California will assemble at the Ventura County Government Center on Saturday, September 27, to dedicate a Memorial to Ventura County firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.

The dedication of the Fallen Firefighter Memorial is the culmination of a four-year effort to build a permanent monument to honor firefighters who have given their lives protecting the people and property of Ventura County. It is a joint venture of the Ventura County Fire Chiefs Association, firefighter labor organizations, Rotary International and the eight fire agencies serving the county – Ventura County, Oxnard, Ventura City, Federal Fire, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service.

“This year’s ceremony is a special one,” said Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper, “because not only will we be remembering our fallen firefighters, we will be dedicating a Memorial to them so their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The Memorial is located on the Victoria Ave. side of the Government Center. The circular monument has a pedestal inscribed with the names of 39 fallen firefighters and the Firefighter’s Prayer. On top of the pedestal is a seven-foot statue of a firefighter holding a small child. Three flagpoles serve as a backdrop to the Memorial.
“It’s a beautiful Memorial,” said Lana Hawthorne, the widow of Kent Hawthorne, a fallen Ventura County firefighter. “This tribute means so much to me and the other families and it’s especially gratifying to know how much the community supported the effort to build it.”

The public is invited to attend the ceremony that will be held on the lawn surrounding the Memorial. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, and is expected last about one hour. Fire engines will line one lane of northbound Victoria Ave. and the ceremony will include the unveiling of the Memorial, bagpipes, choral presentations and the traditional Firefighter’s Bell Ceremony.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff’s detectives arrested a 46-year-old Ventura County man for sexual assault after an investigation revealed he had kept a 13-year-old girl as a sex slave for the past several months.

Shawn Barth has been living in a motorhome in an orchard west of Moorpark since May 2008. During that time, he has repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim and kept her in an isolated environment under an extreme level of physical and psychological control. Barth purposely parked the motorhome more than a mile from the nearest road, so the victim would not escape.

Although the victim was allowed to attend school, she feared Barth, who threatened her throughout the ordeal. She did not tell anyone about the suffering she had endured. The Moorpark Unified School District notified the girl’s previous school to obtain records. They discovered there was a possible restraining order against Barth for a previous allegation of child molest involving the victim. District officials notified the sheriff’s department and Ventura County Human Services Agency.

The investigation began on Sept. 11, 2008, and the tragic circumstances of the case quickly unfolded as detectives followed Barth’s trail from San Bernardino County to the orchard near Moorpark. Barth’s crimes did not begin after he moved to Moorpark. Investigators believe the pattern had begun long before, when Barth was living in San Bernardino County, which is where he first had contact with the girl.

Barth is currently being held at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura in lieu of $1,000,000.00 bail. The investigation is continuing with the cooperation of the Ventura County Human Services Agency and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

As with many sexual assault cases, investigators are concerned that there may be other victims or witnesses with information about Barth.

Anyone with information about Barth is asked to call the East County Sexual Assault Unit at (805)494-8201.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Los Angeles Police Department Officer Spree Desha, of Simi Valley, CA:

“Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our profound sadness over the loss of Officer Spree Desha. She selflessly dedicated her life to protecting the city of Los Angeles and her commitment to public safety will never be forgotten. We send our thoughts and prayers to Spree’s family, friends and fellow officers as they mourn this terrible loss.”

Desha, 35, died September 12, in Chatsworth, CA, after the Metrolink train she was riding on collided with a freight train. She was a 7-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. She is survived by her parents.

In honor of Officer Desha, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s Part I crime statistics for the first six months of 2008 are now available. Some highlights are as follows:

• Total Part I crime rate per 1,000 population for the entire Sheriff’s jurisdiction decreased from 8.62 in the first six months of 2007 to 8.11 during the same period in 2008, a decrease of 6%.

• Total Part I violent crime rate per 1,000 population decreased from .75 to .69, a decrease of 8%. Within this grouping, robbery decreased 15% and rape decreased by 28%. Homicides did show an increase, going from one
homicide in the Sheriff’s jurisdiction in the first half of 2007 to four homicides in the first half of 2008.

• Total Part I property crime rate per 1,000 population decreased from 7.87 to 7.42, a decrease of 6%. Within this grouping, residential burglary and all other burglaries showed the greatest decrease while arson showed an
increase.

The total decrease in Part I property crime for 2008 compared to 2007 is significant in that there was a slight increase of 1% last year when the first half of 2007 property crime was compared to the first half of 2006. At that time, the 1% increase was attributed to an increase in thefts from vehicles. It is important to note that during many of those crimes, the vehicles were left unlocked with valuables inside. Directed enforcement efforts as well as a strong effort from the public are believed to have made substantial inroads into reducing the problem of thefts from vehicles. Also, significant strides have been made in informing the public about the hazards of leaving valuables in unlocked vehicles.

The above data as well as individual breakdowns for the Sheriff’s contract cities and unincorporated areas are available on the Sheriff’s website at http://www.VCSD.org

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The County of Ventura has announced the restructuring of the existing Disaster Council with an organizational model that provides a more collaborative system of emergency management. The new council has been named the Unified Emergency Planning Council and the first meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2008 at the Ventura County Public Works Saticoy Operations Yard Conference Room.

The purpose of the Unified Emergency Planning Council will be to develop and manage the strategic organizational plan for emergency management in Ventura County. The new council will include members of the Ventura County Operational Area (County, cities, special districts), federal and state agencies, local non-profit and volunteer organizations, business and industry, and the military. This new structure will also comply with existing local, state and federal emergency management guidelines, as well as influence the broad, on-going agenda for emergency management in Ventura County.

In addition to the review of local emergency operations plans, the Unified Emergency Planning Council will ensure that developed plans provide for the effective procurement and mobilization of resources within the Ventura County Operational Area. Quarterly Council meetings will also provide a forum for community dialog and vetting of concepts, priorities and initiatives relative to emergency preparedness. By coordinating with all entities involved in public safety activities, the Unified Emergency Planning Council will provide a more collaborative system of emergency management in Ventura County.

For more information on the Unified Emergency Planning Council, please contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at (805) 654-2551 or via email at oes.oes@ventura.org.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Suspect Age, City of residence, Charges
Ivans, James, 37, Ventura,
Extortion
Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale
Possession of a Deadly Weapon

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed several charges, including extortion, against a local member of the Hell’s Angels criminal street gang today. The arrest is part of an on-going investigation into a Moorpark motorcycle shop.
On July 9, 2008, Police were called to Comanche Custom Choppers at 555 Spring Street, Moorpark, to investigate a possible extortion. The resulting investigation revealed that Hell’s Angel member James Ivans was hired to collect a business debt and used force or fear in an attempt to collect the debt.
On September 4, 2008, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit assisted in the investigation and served a search warrant at Ivans’ home. During the search in the 300 block of Franklin Lane, gang investigators found 5.3 grams of methamphetamine, several items commonly used to package methamphetamine for the purpose of sales, a handgun, and metal knuckles. Ivans was located a short distance from his house and arrested for a variety of charges. Ivans later posted bail and was released. On September 10, 2008, the Ventura County District Attorney’s office filed the felony charges of extortion, possession for sales of methamphetamine, and possession of a deadly weapon. Ivans is scheduled for arraignment on September 11, 2008.
Anyone with information regarding the illegal activities of any criminal street gang is urged to call the Sheriff’s Gang Unit at 805-654-2856.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The County of Ventura is continuing its commitment to educating residents and improving operations during a disaster by taking part in a nationwide coordinated effort to encourage individuals, families and organizations to be prepared for disasters. Throughout September, as part of National Preparedness Month, Ventura County government employees will be participating in voluntary American Red Cross training and completing a survey to measure their level of personal preparedness in the event of a disaster. Ventura County employees are the focal point this year to help ensure that public safety and other government services will be able to continue to deliver essential operations following a major disaster.

Questions in the survey address the need for emergency supply kits, family communication plans, evacuation routes, local hazards and where to get information during a disaster. Cynthia Elliott, Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in charge of the County’s campaign advises, “The survey will enable us to measure the level of preparedness for County of Ventura employees. If employees are prepared at home, they will be more likely to report to work, during a disaster, knowing that their families are safe.”

All Ventura County employees are Disaster Service Workers. As Disaster Service Workers, the role of County employees includes: “Reporting to work and being prepared to assist in an emergency as assigned by their supervisor, including activities that are outside their normal scope of work. Employees who cannot get to work after a disaster, due to road closures or similar complications, may report to the closest government office to volunteer their assistance.” In addition to the survey, County of Ventura employees have been provided templates for developing family communications plans and emergency supply kits.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is encouraging other employers to do similar planning with their employees and take measures to help employees be prepared at home work and school. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count. When you are ready, Ventura County is ready too!

For more information on National Preparedness Month, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Arrestees, Resident of, Age
Jonathan Samuel Latino, City of Camarillo, 20

On 8-15-2008, numerous homes, businesses, vehicles and other miscellaneous property were vandalized with spray paint. A total of nine victims were identified. The vandalism consisted of swastikas and other degrading racial comments. Graffiti was also discovered on a Jewish pre-school in the 2200 block of East Ventura Boulevard in Camarillo. This graffiti consisted of swastikas and other degrading religious comments. A surveillance camera from a local area business captured video of one of the suspects in the area. The Camarillo Police Department Graffiti Investigator with the assistance of the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail established probable cause that Jonathan Samuel Latino committed these crimes. Latino was arrested for felony vandalism and a hate crime. He is currently in custody in the Ventura County Jail. This investigation is ongoing.

FILLMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT
VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

MEDIA RELEASE

BOB BROOKS, Sheriff
Captain Tim Hagel, Acting Police Chief

www.VCSD.org

Nature of Incident: Sketch of Suspect from Attempted Burglary / Criminal Threats Case
Location: 100 Lora Lane, Fillmore, California 93015
Date & Time/ RB#: September 10, 2008 080024564
Unit Responsible: Special Services - Major Crimes Unit

Suspect:
Hispanic, male, 5’10”, medium build, mid-twenties, dark complexion with a mole on the right side of his face. Last seen wearing a black baseball cap, and a black t-shirt with white lettering or emblem on the backside. The suspect spoke English.

Narrative:
On Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at about 11:15 A.M., Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 100 Block of Lora Lane, Fillmore, to a report of a male who attempted to force entry into a residence and threatened the adult female inside. When deputies arrived, they discovered the suspect, who was not known to the victim, had already fled the scene.

According to the victim, she was home alone at about 11:10 a.m., when the suspect came to her front door and knocked. The victim opened the door believing it was a visitor. The suspect yelled at the victim that he was going to kill her and tried to force open the door as the victim fought back to close it. The victim was able to force the door closed and lock it, at which time the suspect fled from the residence on foot. Deputies conducted an extensive search of the neighborhood and surrounding area for the suspect but were unable to locate him.

Two other incidents, which have occurred recently in the same neighborhood, may be related. The public is warned to always be aware of their surroundings when walking and to keep the doors and windows to their residences secured and to not open the door to strangers.

Sheriff’s major crimes detectives are investigating this incident and have attached a sketch of the suspect.

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 (805) 524-0970 (Fillmore) or Fillmore Police at 805-524-2233

Officer Preparing Release: Detective Taurino Almazan / (805) 524-2233

Follow-up Contact: Fillmore Police 805-524-2233

Date of Release: September 11, 2008

Approved By: Captain Tim Hagel

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is continuing its commitment to community disaster preparedness education by partnering with the Ventura County School Districts in observance of National Preparedness Month.

“September is National Preparedness Month and we are challenging the schools in Ventura County to assist us in getting this important message to the children of our community, “ said Cynthia Elliott, Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

When unexpected natural or man-made emergencies occur, our greatest individual defense is preparedness. Getting an emergency supply kit, making an emergency plan, and being informed about the local hazards in our communities are several things we can do to prepare ourselves.

All Ventura County public school children have been invited to accept the challenge in preparing for emergencies and participate in the four disaster preparedness multi-media art contests being held throughout Ventura County. Participants are limited to one submission per contest, but are welcome to submit entries to each of the four categories. The contest categories include: art, photo, video and essay. Each of the four contests focuses on the importance of having and emergency supply kit, developing a family communications plan or being informed about the local hazards in our community. Contest flyers have been distributed to all of the schools and students should submit their entries to their school office by September 30, 2008. Contest winners will be selected by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and invited to an Awards Ceremony on December 8, 2008. Awards will be given by division to the best individual, grade, school and district for each category.

“Our hope is that these projects will facilitate discussions in the schools and at home, and therefore assist families in being more prepared for emergencies,” said Elliott.

Questions regarding the contests may be directed to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at (805) 654-2551.

For more information on National Preparedness Month, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov.

Ventura County Fire Department

The Ventura County Fire Department will commemorate the terrible losses suffered on September 11, 2001 with a day of remembrance and preparedness.

On Thursday, September 11, all department flags will be raised at 6:55 a.m. Firefighters will be at attention and in complete silence as the colors are raised. At 6:59 a.m. – the moment the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed – the county’s Fire Communication Center will dispatch an all-county attention tone followed by four sets of five bells. These bells honor the 343 New York firefighters, the law enforcement personnel and civilians who lost their lives as the result of the terrorist attacks. A minute of silence will follow and then each station will acknowledge the occasion in its own way.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony at their neighborhood fire station and join their local firefighters in this memorial tribute.

“September 11 is more than a day of remembrance,” said Assistant Chief Vaughan Miller, “it is also a day of preparedness. The horrific events of that day are a reminder to all of us that we need to be prepared for a disaster. September is National Preparedness Month and we will use September 11 as an opportunity to make sure all of our employees have a disaster plan both at work and at home. We encourage the public to do the same thing.”

There are a number of resources for people wishing to start their own family disaster plan including the American Red Cross and the department’s own Web site at http://fire.countyofventura.org.

“At the fire department, we have 343 reasons to remember September 11,” said Miller. “It’s a reminder to us that we must always be prepared, and we can all learn something from that lesson.”

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Mountain View Street at Sespe Avenue, Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: 09/05/08 / 6:35 P.M
Suspect: Hispanic male, 30’s. No physical description
Victim: 11 year-old female

On 09/05/08, at approximately 6:35 P.M, deputies with the Fillmore Police Department responded to a reported assault that occurred in the area of Mountain View Street and Sespe Avenue.

The victim’s guardian reported that her 11 year-old told her about the incident immediately after it occurred. The 11 year-old told her that a Hispanic male adult had just approached her on Mountain View Street and pushed her to the ground. The victim stated that she was able to fend off the adult male suspect who then fled in a black,1980’s Honda with rear tinted windows.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Fillmore Police Department, at (805) 524-2235. Additionally, 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 805-385-TALK (385-8255).

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department wants to alert the public of a current crime spree perpetrated against unsuspecting hikers. Theft suspects have been targeting hikers’ unoccupied vehicles at the “Thomas Aquinas” trailhead located in the 10000 Block of Santa Paula Ojai Rd. North of Santa Paula.

In the past three weeks, victims have reported eleven vehicle break-ins at the trailhead. Investigators believe the suspects are opportunists that wait for hikers to park their cars. Once the unsuspecting hikers walk away, the suspects smash the vehicles’ windows and steal any valuables left behind. The suspects seek cash, jewelry, I-Pods, credit and ATM cards, identity cards etcetera.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind the public to always lock their vehicles and not leave any valuables in their vehicles when left unoccupied. Covering a personal item with a towel is not good enough. These suspects know you have items hidden under jackets and towels. Please call with any tips of suspicious vehicles or persons in the Sulfur Springs/Santa Paula Canyon..

If a member of the public becomes a victim of a theft, report the crime to your local police immediately. Have them send the courtesy report to the Ventura County Sheriff, Fillmore Station. If credit or ATM cards are stolen, victims are encouraged to call their bank and cancel the cards immediately

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 (805) 524-0970 ( Fillmore ), (805) 494-TALK (Thousand Oaks / Moorpark) or (805) 385-TALK (Camarillo / Oxnard / Port Hueneme).

Fillmore Fire Department

On Thursday, September 11, in remembrance of the terrorist attacks on our country, at 6:55 a.m. Firefighters will be at attention and in complete silence as the colors are raised. At 6:59 a.m. – the moment the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed – the county’s Fire Communication Center will dispatch an all-county attention tone followed by four sets of five bells. These bells honor the 343 New York firefighters, the law enforcement personnel and civilians who lost their lives as the result of the terrorist attacks. A minute of silence will then follow.

The City of Fillmore Fire Department would like to invite members of the community to join us for the brief morning tribute dedicated to those who generously gave their lives while trying to save the lives of others. Following the ceremony residents are invited to join station personnel for coffee and donuts.

Chris Dunn. New Chief of Police for the city of Ojai.

Sheriff Bob Brooks is pleased to announce that effective September 21st Captain Chris Dunn will become the next Chief of Police for the city of Ojai.

Chris has had a distinguished law enforcement career that includes more than fourteen years with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, six years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and sixteen years with the United States Naval Reserves.

For the Sheriff’s Department, Chris has held several important assignments such as homicide investigator in the Major Crimes Unit and various key administrative positions. He has special expertise in the area of critical incident management and filled an important role in the Sheriff’s Emergency Operation Center during the 2007 Southern California firestorms, which included the Ranch Fire.

By virtue of his military reserve experience, Chris also brings special expertise to the department in the area of Homeland Security. He currently holds the rank of ensign and is the Executive Officer for the Naval Reserves Security Force at Naval Base Ventura County. Chris currently holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree.

The swift water emergency response vehicles were fully stocked with supplies and equipment prior to departure.
Photo by Ventura County Fire Department
Enlarge Photo

The Ventura County Fire Department deployed 14 members of its swift water rescue team just before midnight on Sunday to assist people affected by Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana.

The swift water team assembled at County Fire Station 54 in Camarillo to prepare for the 27-hour drive to Baton Rouge. They will deployed for a minimum of 14 days and could be gone for an additional week if conditions warrant.
Fire Chief Bob Roper couldn’t say exactly where the team would be working because their assignment would be determined by where the hurricane made landfall and the damage it caused.

“We realized after Hurricane Katrina that there was no national pact in place for one state to request help from another,” said Roper. “That’s changed now and this deployment is the result of a request directly from the governor of Louisiana to the governor of California.”

The Ventura County team was expected to rendezvous in Blythe with teams from the cities of Long Beach, Sacramento and the Sacramento Metro fire departments at about 6 a.m. on Monday morning and then continue to Louisiana.
Battalion Chief Bob Ameche is leading the team and he warned them that they would face danger from more than just floodwaters. Alligators, snakes and insects were also a concern.

“We’ll have to look out for each other,” he said. “We’re going down there as a team and we will be together as a team through thick and thin.”

The Ventura County Fire Department water rescue team is trained to respond to a variety of rescue situations. The team uses personal watercraft, specialized water rescue tools and other equipment in their life-saving missions.

Person of interest for hate graffiti vandalism in Camarillo
Enlarge Photo

Person of Interest / Hate Graffiti Vandalisms
Locations: Various locations around the City of Camarillo

On August 15, 2008, numerous graffiti vandalisms occurred throughout the City of Camarillo. The graffiti consisted of swastikas and other hate related racial writings. The subject in the two attached photographs was captured on surveillance video in the area of some of the vandalisms, during the time they occurred.

The Camarillo Police Department would like to speak to this subject to see if he has any information regarding the vandalisms. We are seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating this subject.

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of this subject is requested to call Detective Seery at 805-383-4800.

The Ventura County Fire Department has just released a new edition of its award-winning Wildfire Action Plan brochure and is urging county residents to be prepared for brush fires.

“The key to saving lives and property during a wildfire is preparation and planning,” said Public Information Officer, Capt. Ron Oatman. “It’s what we do in the fire department and we urge our citizens to do the same.”
The Wildfire Action Plan is designed to help residents answer the crucial question: Should I leave early, or stay and defend my property? Regardless of how the question is answered, preparation is the secret to success. The brochure contains information, tips and checklists to help people answer the question for themselves. “Choosing whether to leave early, or stay and defend your property is a scary decision,” said Oatman. “But knowing you’ve made the proper preparations will be a tremendous source of comfort should the need actually arise.”

Copies of the Wildfire Action Plan are available at Ventura County Fire Department stations, the fire administration building – 165 Durley Ave. in Camarillo – or as a download from the department’s Web site: http://fire.countyofventura.org.

Civic and community groups, homeowner’s associations and other organizations who would like to have a presentation of the Wildfire Action Plan are encouraged to contact Capt. Oatman at (805) 389-9736.