Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Suspect: Mata, Janelle D.O.B. 8-27-1984
Location: 2546 Balboa St. El Rio
Date & Time: May 25, 2008.
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit / Major Crimes

On Sunday, May 25th, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit concluded a one month long investigation of a shooting in the 2500 block of Balboa Street, in El Rio, with the arrest of Janelle Mata for attempted murder and participation in a criminal street gang.

On April 20, 2008, patrol deputies responded to a dispatched call of a drive-by shooting on Balboa St. When deputies arrived, they found two bullet holes in the victim’s residence. Witnesses described a female suspect to the deputies and a broadcast was initiated. A short time later, other deputies patrolling the area stopped a car at the intersection of Alvarado and Orange Drive (El Rio). The car was occupied by Janelle Mata, two adult females, a 2 year old and a 2-month-old infant. A subsequent search of the car revealed a sawed off shotgun hidden in a blanket as well as three handguns and ammunition concealed in other clothing carriers. A records check revealed one of the handguns was reported stolen. Deputies arrested Janelle Mata for shooting at an inhabited dwelling, possession of a stolen handgun, and a variety of other weapons charges. The driver of the car, Naomi Mata, was arrested for a variety of weapons charges. Both were booked into the Ventura County Jail and posted bail.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit and Major Crimes investigators continued to investigate the incident and found additional evidence linking Janelle Mata to the shooting. Gang investigators believe that Mata intentionally fired a gun at a female victim who was standing in front of her residence in the 2500 block of Balboa St.

Mata, who is a documented El Rio gang member, was booked into the Ventura County Jail and is being held on $500,000 bail.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit was created in February 2007, and is tasked with reducing gang related crime in Ventura County. The unit assists detectives in the investigation of all crimes involving gang members, actively patrols the community and routinely apprehends gang members and other criminals. Sheriff’s Gang Unit Deputies are street crime experts and are often called upon to assist in the prosecution of gang members in trial involving gang enhancement allegations.

As part of the Sheriff’s Department’s efforts in reducing gang violence and making communities safer, the unit has instituted the GANG TIP HOTLINE. Residents can call “1-888-58GANGS” and anonymously report criminal gang activity in their neighborhoods. Residents are reminded to call “911” in emergencies or (805) 654-9511 for non-emergencies.

California Highway Patrol

LOS ANGELES - California law enforcement and the cellular phone industry today announced the next step in the expansion of the state’s highly successful AMBER Alert system. In 2002, the AMBER Alert Network was created to aid law enforcement in the safe return of child abduction victims. Currently the system includes messages that interrupt broadcast programs, roadside signs by major highways and streamlined notification of law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout.
Today, through a partnership with the wireless telephone industry, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced that cell phone users can “opt in” to receive AMBER notifications via text message on their cell phones. The service is free and available to nearly all cell phone users in California. The instructions are now also available on-line in Spanish for the first time.

“California’s AMBER Alert Program is the role model for successful partnerships between government, law enforcement, the media and the general public,” said Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Dale Bonner.

“This will add thousands of eyes to look for victims and suspects in AMBER Alert cases during those first critical hours of an abduction,” said CHP Deputy Commissioner Skip Carter.

Most wireless subscribers can enroll by sending the word “AMBER” followed by a space and their 5-digit ZIP code in a text message to 26237. More than 30 wireless carriers, which serve 96 percent of all U.S. subscribers, offer the Wireless AMBER Alerts program. Cell phone users can also register on-line.

“We believe this is a compelling way to raise awareness about a vitally important child safety tool,” said David S. Diggs, Executive Director of The Wireless Foundation, a non-profit organization formed by members of the cellular telephone industry. “We hope everyone signs up for this free service and helps play a crucial role in the safe recovery of an abducted child.”

Since it was formed nearly six years ago, the AMBER Alert program in California is credited with the safe recovery of 148 children.

“It is critical to get the word out within the first three hours of an abduction to have a successful outcome,” said Pasadena Police Chief Bernard Melekian, representing the California Police Chief’s Association.

“Sending AMBER Alerts to people’s cell phones is another valuable tool in law enforcement’s arsenal to save abducted children,” stated Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Commander Rick Adams, representing the California State Sheriff’s Association.

The free service is the result of a partnership between the Wireless Foundation, CHP, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The U.S. Department of Justice and the Advertising Council.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 3400 block of Orange Drive, Nyeland Acres
Date & Time: May 20, 2008, 8:14 p.m.
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes
Involved Parties, Age
Male Juvenile, 15
Male Juvenile, 16
Deputies responded to the 3400 block of Orange Drive in Nyeland Acres after receiving a call of a shooting at that location. When deputies arrived they discovered two male juveniles had been shot and transported to St. John's Hospital in Oxnard by private vehicle. Both sustained minor, non-life threatening injuries and are expected to survive their wounds.
Sheriff’s investigators learned a dark colored vehicle stopped in the middle of Orange Drive and a suspect exited the car. The suspect used a shotgun to fire two rounds at the victims, who were standing in a residential driveway. The suspect, who was dressed in black, returned to the vehicle which drove away. Investigators are attempting to determine if the shooting was gang related.

Anyone with information concerning this crime is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau at 477-7000.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a suicidal subject at a residence in the 4300 block of N. Ventura Avenue at approximately 10:20 a.m. on Monday, May 19, 2008. The family called for assistance out of concern for the subject’s well being, which included the fact that he had armed himself with two knives. The subject left the residence prior to arrival of the deputies. The surrounding area was thoroughly searched, but he was not located.
Approximately two and one half hours later (12:52 p.m.), the individual returned to the residence, and deputies were called back to the scene. When the deputies made contact, the individual was holding the knives, which forced the deputies to draw their handguns. The situation permitted one deputy to later transition to his TASER. A less-lethal (beanbag) shotgun was also brought to the scene in the event it was needed.

A tense standoff occurred, which included the subject threatening the deputies by indicating that the knives he was holding were capable of penetrating Kevlar (the material used in bullet-proof vests). The deputies continued talking to the subject trying to convince him to drop the knives while still attempting to maintain their own safety.

At one point, the subject began using one of the knives in such a way that led the deputies to believe he was going cause imminent harm to himself. The TASER was effectively deployed incapacitating the subject but not to the point where he would release the knife. A second TASER cycle was delivered, and he released the knife and was taken into custody.

Other than being temporarily incapacitated by the TASER, the subject was not injured during the incident. He was transported to a local hospital as part of a standard protocol following a TASER deployment. He was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for a felony charge of resisting an officer as well as an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. His bail is set at $15,000.

Situations involving suspects with weapons are highly unpredictable and often require split-second decisions on the part of officers. The Sheriff’s Department believes, and statistics have proven, that the TASER is a highly effective tool in reducing injuries to officers and suspects. Although officers are not expected nor encouraged to jeopardize their safety when confronting armed suspects, in some cases (as this case illustrates), the TASER can be effectively utilized even where officers are confronted with a deadly weapon. The outcome of this situation is always desired but not always possible. There will, of course, be incidents where the threat to officers is such that the use of a TASER may not be possible.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location(s): 8000 block of Stockton Rd., Somis, California
8000 block of Los Angeles Ave., Somis, California

Date & Time: May 16, 2008 / 2155 pm Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau – Agricultural Crimes Unit and the Camarillo Police Department Special Enforcement Detail
(A)rrestees Address Age
Jorge Lara Gutierrez Oxnard, CA 25
Ulises Carranza Oxnard, CA 18
Male Juvenile 17

During the first week of May 2008, the Sheriff’s Department’s Agricultural Crimes Unit identified possible suspects involved in agricultural copper and brass thefts that occurred over a 6-month period of time in the City of Camarillo and the surrounding unincorporated areas. When the suspects were initially identified, investigators did not have sufficient information and evidence to arrest them, so periodic surveillance of the suspects was conducted in order to try to catch them in the act.

On 5-16-2008, a detective from the Agricultural Crimes Unit of the Major Crimes Bureau and investigators from the Camarillo Police Department’s Special Enforcement Detail followed three suspects, later identified as Jorge Gutierrez, Ulises Carranza, and an unnamed juvenile, to ranches located in the of the 8000 block of Stockton Road and the 8000 block of Los Angeles Avenue in Somis.

While under surveillance all thee suspects were seen stealing brass valves from irrigation pipes and copper wiring from a tractor-trailer. The three suspects were subsequently stopped and arrested for grand theft, vandalism, conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, and trespass.

Gutierrez and Carranza were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility and the juvenile was cited and released.

It is believed that these suspects are responsible for numerous thefts involving agricultural irrigation valves and copper wire. Anyone who has been the victim of a similar crime during the past six months is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau at (805) 477-7000.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 1889 Oak Terrace Lane (Amgen) – Newbury Park
Date & Time: 5-8-08 @ 1808 hours Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Dept.

(S)uspects, Address, Age

(S) Male juvenile, Thousand Oaks, 15
(S) Male juvenile, Glendale, 15

Thousand Oaks police arrested two juveniles last Thursday night after they tried to retrieve a stolen vehicle from an Amgen employee parking structure. Alert security officers John Langford and Jaime Morataya called the Sheriff’s Department after the juveniles tried three separate times to enter onto Amgen property and take the vehicle. The security officers detained one juvenile while the second left the area on foot. When deputies arrived, they found the vehicle had been reported stolen a few days before. Deputy Jason Fuller recognized the juvenile and the vehicle from a previous surveillance footage. The video had captured the juveniles burglarizing a vehicle and stealing mail in a Thousand Oaks neighborhood. During the investigation, deputies found property belonging to at least 15 separate victims whose vehicles and homes were burglarized. The second juvenile who had left the area was located a short time after the incident. He too was arrested for his involvement in the crimes.

The juveniles told investigators how they would check parking lots and neighborhoods for vehicles that had items left in plain view.

Detectives continue to ask the public to remove valuables from their unattended vehicles and lock the doors and windows to their homes.

Both juveniles were charged with two counts of residential burglary, one count of vehicle theft, and numerous counts of vehicle burglary and petty theft. They were cited and released to their parents.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 65 Fix Way, Ventura
On 5-16-2008, at approximately 1000 hours, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau executed a search warrant at the above address. The search warrant was issued in reference to an on going homicide investigation.

During the search of the location the investigating personnel discovered a possible dangerous electrical wiring situation and a large sub-floor pit containing a significant amount of petroleum distillates. Due to the potential fire and environmental hazards discovered at the location, the Ventura City Fire Department, Ventura City Code Enforcement, and Ventura County Environment Health responded for further inspection. It was determined that Edison officials would need to shut off power to the location and that the structure would be “Red-Tagged” for no further occupancy pending corrections and clean up.

California Highway Patrol

The Memorial Day Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) begins this Friday, May 23, at 5 p.m. and continues through midnight, the following Monday. Up to 80 percent of all California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers will be out working the road over the holiday weekend to help ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely.
During last year’s Memorial Day MEP, 37 people were killed in collisions on California roadways. In addition, CHP officers arrested 1,614 people for driving under the influence.

Three “don’ts” for all motorists to remember: Don’t speed. Don’t drink and drive. And don’t forget to wear your seatbelt.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Tejon Trail, Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County, Ca.

Date & Time: 5-18-08 / 12:50 p.m.

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Department / Aviation-SAR Unit

On 5-18-08, (V) John Anderson was riding his motorcycle in the Los Padres National Forest on the Tejon Trail. He was racing in an event, which began in the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. During the race he crashed on his motorcycle and as a result of the crash, was injured and unable to continue his ride. Due to the remote location the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department sent Air Squad 9 to locate and rescue John.

Air Squad 9 arrived in the area and after a short search located the victim on a narrow portion of the Tejon Trail at which time the paramedic was lowered by hoist to John. The paramedic assessed his injuries and then fitted him with a harness for hoisting. John and the paramedic were subsequently hoisted back into the helicopter and flown to a nearby campground in Hungry Valley. Air Squad 9 landed and transferred John to an American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance for transport to a local hospital.

California Highway Patrol

On 05/18/08 at approximately 3:00 p.m., Dr. Jack Dunn, age 62, from Ventura, was riding his 2000 Harley Davidson southbound on SR-33, approaching Potrero Creek. For unknown reasons, Dunn drove onto the west dirt shoulder and sideswiped the metal guardrail. Dunn lost control of his Harley Davidson and the front tire struck a pothole on the dirt shoulder causing the rear of the motorcycle to lift up, ejecting Dunn. Dunn was thrown approximately 50 feet down a rock embankment.

Dunn succumbed to his injuries sustained in the traffic collision, including severe head trauma.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Come join the POAVC as we honor our fallen peace officers, who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities and safeguarding our neighborhoods throughout Ventura County. This service will take place at the Peace Officer Memorial located at the County Government Center Main Entrance, at the corner of Thille and Victoria Avenue, in Ventura.
The guest speaker for this event is Ms. Maureen Faulkner, the widow of slain Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. Ms. Faulkner is a champion of all law enforcement and their families and has done extensive work counseling widows, helping to effect new laws restricting the rights of murderers and expanding the rights of victims and their families. Ms. Faulkner has done countless radio and television shows which have included the following: The O’Reiley Factor, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Tom Snyder Show, Entertainment Tonight, and CBS 20/20. Ms. Faulkner has co-authored a book titled, “Murdered by Mumia” and had donated 100% of the proceeds to the Daniel Faulkner Educational Grant Fund.

Everyone is encouraged to attend. There will be a reception following this event at the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff Association (VCDSA) located at 981 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura.

Location: Ventura County Government Center (Thille at Victoria Avenue), 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009
Date & Time: May 22, 2008 at 10:00 AM

Ventura County Fire Department

CAMARILLO -- It’s time to get ready. The time to prepare for wildfires is before theystart, and that time is now. The Ventura County Fire Department is advising residents to actnow to protect their homes from the threat of wildfires.
“For the fire department, this is our time to get ready,” said Capt. Barry Parker. “We’repreparing all of our equipment for a wildfire response, we’re increasing our staffing levelsunder certain conditions and we’re brushing up on our wildfire skills. We want the public to bejust as concerned with their preparedness.”
Structures in a Wildland/Urban Interface zone (WUI) are at particular risk from wildfires. Thedeadline to complete weed abatement on Ventura County properties is June 1. By reducingthis fire hazard, property owners give the fire department a defensible space that allowsfirefighters to get between an approaching wildfire and the property. That space can mean thedifference between saving a home or having a fire overrun it.
“Weed abatement is an essential tool,” said Parker, “but residents can take other preventativeactions, too. They can remove firewood and other combustibles from around their homes andthey should make sure that pine needles, leaves and other flammable material is removedfrom their roofs and gutters. But the best thing they can do is to have a plan.”
To help residents prepare, the Ventura County Fire Department offers its “Wildfire ActionPlan” on its Web site (www.fire.countyofventura.org). This award-winning 12-page brochurecan be downloaded from the site and it provides tips, checklists and other resources to assistresidents in safeguarding their homes and developing an evacuation plan.
“Wildfires can occur any time the conditions are right,” he said, “and that has nothing to dowith the calendar. In Ventura County we believe fire season is year-round and we wantpeople to be ready spring, summer and fall. A little time spent preparing now could save yourlife or your home later. It’s a good investment for the future.”

Fillmore Fire Department

The City of Fillmore Fire Department in conjunction with Grad Nite Live of Fillmore will be hosting a BBQ Chicken Dinner Sunday May 18, 2008. Dinner will be served between 5:00PM - 7:00PM at Fillmore Fire Station 91 located at 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore. Drive through service as well as seated service within the fire station will be available to those who attend; a donation of $10.00 per dinner is requested. Dinner will include World Famous BBQ chicken cooked by the City of Fillmore's Finest Firefighters, chili beans, salad, and a dinner roll. All proceeds benefit the Grad Nite Live organization. This fundraising event is one of several planned events by organizers of Grad Nite Live to generate the approximate $23,000 required annually to support this organizations needs.
Grad Nite Live was established to keep graduating seniors of Fillmore High School off the roads following graduation and in a safe, alcohol and drug free environment following their commencement.
Moments after graduation and a few minutes of quick visiting with family and friends, participating seniors are loaded onto a charter bus and transported to Long Beach Harbor where the beautiful vessel "The Entertainer" awaits them. On board they enjoy great food, dancing, and entertainment throughout the night and morning. The graduates are then returned to Fillmore the following day exhausted from the previous night's celebration and are fed breakfast. Finally graduates are returned home to catch up on much needed sleep following the safe celebration of their twelve years of achievements.
Those persons and/or organizations who would like to donate to Grad Nite Live may call Shirley Spitler at 805-524-2131 or Raelene Chaney at 805-524-4909.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
(S) McEnnan, James Edward Agoura Hills 29

Sheriff’s investigators arrested a 29-year-old Agoura Hills man at his home while executing a search warrant related to the man’s sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl.

James McEnnan met the victim, who was 13 at the time, while working as an instructor at a youth camp in the Conejo Valley in 2007. McEnnan began a sexual relationship with the girl in November 2007. The relationship continued until the investigation began last week. During the relationship, McEnnan sent sexually explicit videos of himself to the victim on several occasions.

McEnnan was booked at the East County Sheriff’s Station in Thousand Oaks on charges that include continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation of a person under the age of 14, and sending harmful matter via the Internet.

In addition to being an instructor at a youth camp, McEnnan is employed as a tutor specializing in teaching classes to children in the entertainment industry. Because of his position of trust and access to children, investigators are concerned that there may be other victims.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying anyone who may have been a victim of similar crimes by McEnnan. Anyone with information about McEnnan’s activities can contact Detective Greg Tougas of the sexual assault unit at (805)371-8397.

McEnnan is being held in lieu of $100,000.00 bail.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
(S) Floyd, Danny Ivy Jr. Moorpark 39
A 39-year-old Moorpark resident was arrested Wednesday in Thousand Oaks for committing lewd acts on a child. Danny Floyd, who is employed as a school bus driver for a transportation company in Thousand Oaks, was arrested without incident at his workplace.

Floyd has been assigned as a big brother through Big Brothers of America to a 14-year-old autistic boy in Moorpark since November 2007.

The victim reported that in recent weeks, Floyd had committed a variety of lewd sex acts with the boy at Floyd’s home in the Campus Park section of Moorpark. Floyd was booked at the East County Jail for several felony charges, and is being held in lieu of $250,000.00 bail.

California Highway Patrol

Sacramento -- The families of three California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers were joined today by Business, Transportation & Housing Agency Secretary Dale Bonner and CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow to place a wreath at the CHP Academy’s Memorial Fountain.

"The officers who have fallen upheld tradition in such a way that we can all be proud," said Secretary Bonner. "The prayers and gratitude of Californians are with the families of all of the brave officers we honor here today."

The CHP Academy Memorial Fountain bears plaques engraved with the names of each of the Department’s 213 officers killed in the line of duty since its formation 79 years ago. This year, the names of the following three CHP officers were added to the fountain:

Officer Robert F. Dickey who was killed June 10, 2007, in an automobile collision on
I-8 while on patrol in Imperial County. Officer Dickey was a five-year veteran and worked out of the CHP’s Winterhaven Area office. He is survived by his wife and son.
Officer Douglas S. Russell who was struck and killed while deploying a spike strip to stop a vehicle involved in a pursuit on Highway 50, July 31, 2007. The 22-year veteran worked out of the CHP’s Placerville Area office and is survived by his wife.

Officer John Miller who was killed in an automobile collision November 16, 2007, while searching for a reported drunk driver. Officer Miller had served with the CHP for one year and was assigned to the Dublin Area office. He is survived by his wife and two children.

"We live under the protection of brave men and women who risk their lives every day in an effort to make California one of the safest states in the country," Commissioner Farrow said.

Flags at CHP offices throughout the state will be flown at half-staff today through tomorrow and from May 11-17, 2008, in observance of National Police Week.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Every two years, the Corrections Standards Authority (CSA) branch of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation conducts inspections of local detention and temporary holding facilities in accordance with the California Penal Code. Facilities operated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department were inspected on February 4 through 6, 2008. The facilities inspected included the Pretrial Detention Facility (PTDF), Todd Road Jail, East County Jail, as well as the lock-up areas of the Hall of Justice, East County Court, and Juvenile Justice Center Court facilities. A written report was sent to Sheriff Bob Brooks at the end of April.
The PTDF and Todd Road Jail are classified as Type II Facilities in that they are “used for the detention of persons pending arraignment, during trial, and upon a sentence of commitment.” The East County Jail is a Temporary Holding Facility “used for the confinement of persons 24 hours or less pending release, transfer to another facility, or appearance in court.” These three facilities alone were inspected on over 130 criterion related exclusively to Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations (Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities) and many more related to the actual structures (or “physical plants”).

The findings in the comprehensive CSA report were very positive. For example, related to the three facilities above, the Department was in full compliance with all aspects of Title 15, and no negative marks were noted. The same held true for the other Sheriff’s “lock-up areas.” The report stated, “The Department does a good job maintaining their physical plants.” It also indicated an ongoing effort by the Sheriff’s Department to address difficult issues related to staffing and overcrowding. Regarding staffing shortages (which, in part, was related to a nationwide phenomenon forcing police agencies to recruit from dwindling qualified applicant pools), the report states, “Staffing was a significant issue during the 2004-2006 inspection. The Ventura Sheriff partnered with the Board of Supervisors and was able to address the staffing issue that was non-compliant during the last inspection.”

Even pertaining to the difficult overcrowding situation, the report found that the Department maintained proper inmate care and treatment as well as operational efficiency. Due to overcrowding, the Department was forced to place temporary bunks in dayrooms in certain housing units. This caused the PTDF and Todd Road Jail to be out of compliance with one section in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations related to “dayroom space per prisoner.” Nevertheless, the report makes it clear that although the PTDF and Todd Road Jail are “operating under crowded conditions, there was no evidence that programming or services were affected at the time of the inspection.” It should also be noted that the Sheriff’s Department is currently in the process of assessing the potential expansion of the Todd Road facility in order to meet current and future needs of the county’s increasing inmate population.

Magi Work, the field representative who completed the report, was also very complimentary of the Sheriff’s Department staff involved in the inspection. She wrote, “The staff at Ventura Sheriff demonstrated commitment and dedication to addressing issues immediately and it is clear there is strong leadership in the department. Their willingness and cooperation toward operating a safe and secure system is commendable.” When asked about the report, Chief Deputy Geoff Dean, who oversees the Department’s Detention Services Division stated, “We are pleased with the report and are extremely proud of our staff for the work they do to run a constitutional jail under a very overcrowded and challenging situation.”

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 300 Cornett Ave. Moorpark, Ca.
Date & Time/ RB#: May 1, 2008 @ 10:00 p.m. / 08-11864
Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes Unit

A vehicle belonging to a missing Moorpark man was recovered May 3, 2008 in Monterey Park, but the man's whereabouts are unknown. The 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser belonged to the brother of Gilbert Valenzuela, who was reported missing by members of his family on May 2, 2008. Valenzuela was last seen on May 1, 2008 at 10:00 p.m.

Valenzuela has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and has not been taking his prescribed medications. When he is off his medications, Valenzuela acts very confused and anxious.

Valenzuela has been classified as being at risk, due to his mental illness and not having access to proper care. Anyone with information about Valenzuela's whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency, or Detective Jon Smith of the East County Sheriff�s Major Crimes Unit at (805)494-8216.

California Highway Patrol

Motor vehicle collisions nationwide are the leading cause of death for drivers between the ages of teenagers. California has the second highest fatality rate involving drivers between the ages of 15-20. “This tragic loss of young lives is a concern to us, and we hope this program can reduce the death toll,” stated CHP Officer Shawna Davison.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is teaming up with local teenagers and their parents/guardians on Thursday, May 8th at 6:30 pm at the Ventura CHP office for a program called “Start Smart” specifically geared towards the reduction of collisions and injuries involving teen drivers.

Start Smart addresses traffic safety issues that directly affect new drivers. Start Smart speaks directly to the newly licensed drivers and their parents/guardians. This program entails collision avoidance techniques, collision causing elements, driver responsibilities, and local area traffic collision trends.

Start Smart makes teens and parents aware of the responsibilities they face and teaches what precautions to take to stay safe. For reservations, please contact Officer Shawna Davison at (805) 477-4100.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility, Ventura, CA
Date & Time: 05/01/2008 at 12:37 am

Name of Subject: WOOD, Joel S.
Unit Responsible: Detention Services Division

The inmate, a 37-year-old resident of Ventura, was found not breathing in his cell at approximately11:44 pm on Wednesday, during one of the frequent and regular checks of each cell in the jail. Sheriff’s Deputies and jail medical personnel immediately initiated Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and worked to revive him. The Fire Department and Paramedics arrived at the jail and transported the inmate to Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. The inmate was pronounced dead at the hospital at approximately 12:37 am Thursday morning. He had been arrested by the Ventura Police Department and booked into the jail Tuesday on an outstanding warrant for petty theft and battery.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit responded to the jail and is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the inmate’s death. The preliminary investigation indicates foul play is not suspected.