On 11/13/09 at approximately 1:07 am Santa Paula Police Officer’s were dispatched to 109 N. Mill St. for a Commercial Alarm at the business of Luci-Tel. When Officer Rothermel arrived on scene he looked inside the window of the business and saw that the ceiling tiles were in disarray on the floor. It appeared as if someone had fallen through the ceiling. Believing a suspect was inside the business Ofc. Rothermel immediately set up a perimeter and requested additional units to assist him. The Santa Paula fire Department was contacted to assist with providing a ladder for officers to gain access to the roof to check for any additional suspects or a point of entry. Officer Rothermel saw that a vent cover had been pried off, and the suspect left a backpack next to the vent. Officer Rothermel could see the suspect through the vent as he walked around the inside of the store.
Santa Paula Police K-9 Sgt. Fogata and his partner K-9 Evan were dispatched to the scene to assist with apprehending the suspect. It was unknown at the time how many suspects were inside the business. Additional officers were needed in order to conduct the search of the building and the apprehension of the suspect or suspects. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department was contacted and we requested their assistance for the search.
When adequate officers arrived on scene they made entry into the business and with the assistance of K-9 Evan, officers and deputies were able to arrest the suspect without incident. The building was then checked for any additional suspects but none were found. Deputies also found an additional hole leading to an attached business at 111 N. Mill St. This business was checked and cleared for any additional suspects. No additional suspects were located.
SPPD Detective Kiernan was dispatched to the scene in order to process the crime scene for evidence and interview the suspect. The suspect admitted to the roof top burglary and having been in the store prior to the burglary.
The suspect was identified as Israel Sanchez DOB 12/20/84 a local Santa Paula transient. Sanchez was taken into custody for the charges of 459 PC, commercial burglary, and 466 PC, possession of burglary tools.