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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department During the night of 03/29/2013, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit were working gang enforcement and observed a suspicious subject driving a black sedan in the unincorporated area of Oxnard known as El Rio. The Sheriff’s Gang Unit quickly learned that the sedan was associated with (S) Timothy Knight. Knight currently has an active felony warrant for his arrest. Knight is also a known El Rio gang member with a violent criminal history. The Sheriff’s Gang Unit attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. After failing to yield, a short vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended with Knight colliding with a parked vehicle. Knight fled on foot and was quickly taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Gang Unit. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of methamphetamine. Knight was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance for sales, evading, and the warrant. He was booked into Ventura County Jail with a bail of $500,000. Nature of Incident: Vehicle Pursuit, Arrest of Wanted Felon 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, April 2nd, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 30, 2013 at approximately 7:15 PM, City of Thousand Oaks Patrol Deputies responded to the Janss Mall parking structure and contacted a female victim who was reporting an attempted robbery. The female victim stated she was sitting in her vehicle in the Janss Mall parking structure when a male suspect, S-Banuelos, attempted to open the victim’s car door. Upon finding the door locked, the suspect, S-Banuelos, then reached into the open drivers side window and grabbed the victim by her hair. S-Banuelos then released his hold of the victim’s hair and began reaching into the vehicle with both arms. S-Banuelos grabbed the victim in the upper torso and abdomen area. The victim screamed, and the suspect fled the area on a red mountain bike. On March 30, 2013, at approximately 8:00 PM, City of Thousand Oaks Patrol Deputies responded to the Thousand Oaks Mall parking structure and contacted a female victim who was reporting a battery. The female victim stated she was walking to her vehicle that was parked in the parking structure when a male suspect, S-Banuelos, grabbed the victim from behind. The victim was walking up a set of stairs when S-Banuelos approached her from behind, grabbed the victim around the waist, and pulled the victim backwards toward him. The victim screamed, struggled with the suspect, and broke free. The suspect fled the area on a red mountain bike. After hearing the suspect description from the first crime, the City of Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit began assisting the Patrol units by searching the surrounding areas for the suspect. At approximately 10:20 PM, members of the Special Enforcement Unit located the suspect bicycle and then the suspect in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 800 block of Warwick Avenue. The suspect was detained. Patrol deputies responded to the apartment complex with the two victims. Both victims positively identified the suspect. Both the Janss Mall and Oaks Mall parking structures have video surveillance monitoring the parking structures. The suspect was captured on both video surveillance systems. During the investigation, a third victim approached the Oaks Malls Security to report a possible theft from her vehicle. The Oaks Mall Security personnel reviewed the video surveillance where the victim’s vehicle was parked and observed Banuelos in the area where the victim’s vehicle was parked. Banuelos was arrested for attempted robbery, attempted carjacking, and kidnapping. Banuelos was booked into the East County Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail. Nature of Incident: Attempted Car Jacking / Attempted Robbery / Kidnapping 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, April 2nd, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Recent articles posted on social media networks and Internet blogs suggest people in the United States can call 1-1-2 for a more efficient connection to emergency dispatchers than with 9-1-1. That information is incorrect. The 9-1-1 system is the established method for contacting emergency dispatchers within the United States, while 1-1-2 is the emergency number used throughout Europe. Some wireless service providers have their phone systems programmed to recognize both as emergency numbers and route them appropriately. However, that is not the case with all phone systems. People should dial 9-1-1 to report an emergency in the United States. Dialing 1-1-2 may not connect to an emergency dispatcher, and could waste valuable time during an emergency. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind people to utilize 9-1-1 only during emergencies, and to call (805)654-9511 when requesting a deputy for a report or other routine requests. Nature of Incident: Dialing 9-1-1, Not 1-1-2 |
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By Santa Paula Police Department — Tuesday, March 26th, 2013
 Santa Paula Police Department On Monday, March 25, 2013, at approximately 8:46pm, Santa Paula Police officers responded to the 1300 block of E. Main St. for a report of a dumpster fire. Upon officers arrival a small fire was found inside a dumpster. The fire was found to be small enough to be extinguished with a fire extinguisher. When officers checked the interior of the dumpster they found approximately 20 partially burned counterfeit $20 bills. The counterfeit bills were collected as evidence and will be forwarded to the Secret Service, as they investigate crimes involving counterfeiting money. There was only one subject in the area who moved the dumpster away from a nearby building to stop the further spreading of the fire. Anyone with information involving this crime is urged to contact Senior Detective Ken Clark at 525-4474 x 277. The Santa Paula Police Department would ask that local businesses pay special attention to the currency they receive within the next several weeks ensuring that it is not counterfeit. Cody Madison |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 26th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 3/19/2013, at approximately 8:00 pm, Camarillo deputies received information regarding two subjects possibly trying to break into vehicles in the area of East Park and Bellafonte Court in Camarillo. An alert citizen saw the subjects in the area twice during the evening and called the Sheriff’s Department to report the suspicious activity. The citizen was able to give a detailed description of the suspects and their vehicle, including the license plate number. At approximately 9:00 pm, a Camarillo patrol deputy saw the vehicle driving on the US101 freeway in Camarillo and the vehicle was stopped for traffic violations. Orlando Martinez was driving the vehicle and Fidel Martinez was the passenger in the vehicle. Deputies discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen out of the Carpenteria area and the pickup contained property stolen from various locations in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Orlando was arrested for 10851 VC, driving a stolen vehicle, 496 PC, possession of stolen property and 466 PC, possession of tools used to commit thefts. Fidel was arrested for 496 PC, possession of stolen property, 466 PC, possession of tools used to commit thefts, and 11550(a) HS, under the influence of a controlled substance. Both Orlando and Fidel were booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for theft and drug related offenses. Nature of Incident: Vehicle Theft/Possession of Stolen Property Arrest 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, March 26th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Moorpark Police Department Investigations Unit continued with a two-month investigation into a vandalism crime spree in the City of Moorpark, with the service of a search warrant and arrest of a juvenile. Over the past two months, a suspect, using a moniker, spray painted several walls throughout the city causing thousands of dollars of damage. Detectives developed information, which led them to a male juvenile as a suspect in the vandalisms. On March 22, 2013, Detectives from the Moorpark Police Department served a search warrant at the juvenile’s residence in the 300 block of Esther Ave, in Moorpark. Detectives discovered items of evidentiary value linking the juvenile to the multiple vandalisms throughout the City. The juvenile was arrested for one felony count of vandalism. He is currently in custody at Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center. Additional arrests and search warrants are expected in this investigation. Nature of Incident: Felony Graffiti Vandalism |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 26th, 2013
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact detectives
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Saturday afternoon, two men robbed the Citibank branch located at 33 N. Moorpark Road. The men entered the bank, jumped over the counter and ordered the tellers onto the ground. They proceeded to open the cash drawers and took an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspects exited the bank and were last seen running towards the parking lot located north of the bank. No one was injured during the robbery. The suspects were described as being black males, wearing dark colored zip-up sweatshirts and dark colored pants. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact detectives with the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 494-8201. Nature of Incident: Thousand Oaks Bank Robbery 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, March 25th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department A longtime elderly Camarillo homeowner almost became the victim of an electricity scam. On 03/21/2013, an elderly Camarillo homeowner came into the lobby of the Police Department, asking for help with what he believed was an electricity scam. The homeowner told police that he started receiving multiple calls on his home phone and cell phone around 9:00 AM this morning, from a man named Marcos Garcia. Mr. Garcia called from this number (315) 307- 1254 and told the homeowner that someone had illegally tapped into his electricity causing an extra $130.00 in charges. The homeowner was instructed to pay for the extra electricity by having a money order made out to Green-dot money Pac. The homeowner was then asked to take the money order back to his house, call the above listed number, and a serviceman would come by to fix the illegal tap and collect the money order. The homeowner went to the CVS, at Carmen Plaza to have the money order filled out even though he recently paid his electric bill to Edison, just like he has for the past 40 years. A clerk at the CVS told the homeowner that another person came in the store a week or so ago having a money order made out for the same thing in the amount of $300.00 and the clerk later found out that person was the victim of a scam. The clerk suggested to the homeowner that he go to the Police Department to report the scam. While the homeowner was at the Police Department, Sheriff’s Deputies confirmed that this was indeed a scam. The Camarillo Police Department would like to remind all residents that if something does not seem right, or they believe they are victims of a scam, or might be the victim of a scam, to immediately call Sheriff’s dispatch at 805-654-9511 to report the incident. Nature of Incident: Electricity Scam 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, March 25th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 10, 2013, during the earlier evening hours a 16-year-old female victim was lured to a residence on Saint Charles Drive by her ex-boyfriend. The ex-boyfriend is a documented gang member from the City of Thousand Oaks. The victim’s new boyfriend is a documented gang member from the City of Moorpark and a rival of the City of Thousand Oaks gang. The victim’s ex-boyfriend solicited the assistance from several documented and associate gang members to physically attack the victim. Monica Navarette, Rosalba Navarette, Roman Munoz, and the female juvenile physically attacked the victim. The victim was also threatened by two of the male juveniles. During the attack Rosalba Navarette, mother of Monica, pulled the victim’s hair and called the victim a derogatory word. The suspects fled the area on foot. When the victim stated she was going to call the police, the female juvenile returned and punched the victim in the face. During the attack, the victim sustained injuries that required she be transported to Los Robles Hospital for treatment. She was treated and released for her injuries. On March 21, 2013, in the early morning hours, 58 law enforcement personnel from the City of Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit, Detectives Bureau, Bike Patrol Unit, School Recourse Officers, Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Sheriff’s Intelligence Unit, City of Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail, City of Moorpark Detective/Gang Bureau, Simi Valley Police Department, Ventura County Probation Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security executed search warrants at eight residences in the City of Thousand Oaks. As a result of the investigation, 9 suspects were arrested for the attack of the 16-year-old female victim. During the execution of the search warrants, Alain Alvarez was found to be in possession of a handgun and shotgun. One of the male juvenile’s that was arrested for the attack was also arrested for possessing a switchblade knife, a metal baton, and methamphetamine. An additional subject that was at one of the residences was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. The above suspects were arrested for a variety of charges that include; Conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon, participation in a criminal street gang, criminal threats, witness intimidation, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, unlawful transfer of a firearm, Possession of a deadly weapon, carrying a switchblade knife, possession of a controlled substance, and being under the influence of a controlled substance. The adult males were booked into the East County Jail, the adult females were booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, and all of the juveniles, but one, were lodged into the Juvenile Justice Facility. The male juvenile that was arrested for being under the influence was cited and released to relatives. Nature of Incident: Gang Related Search Warrants 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 Anonymous — Monday, March 25th, 2013
HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the results of a multi-year operation that resulted in six arrests and the seizure of nearly 3,000 marijuana plants and 44 weapons, including five assault weapons. The investigation by the North State Marijuana Investigation Team (NSMIT), a California DOJ-led task force, targeted a ring that cultivated and trafficked large amounts of marijuana to be sold illegally on streets across the United States. “California Department of Justice-led task forces target criminal enterprises running drugs, guns and human beings up and down California,” said Attorney General Harris. “In this case, we have shut down an illegal, multi-state operation and seized drugs, guns and assault weapons.” On Tuesday, NSMIT CONTINUED » |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, March 25th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department During the months of January and February, thieves targeted vehicles belonging to field workers and ranchers in the Oxnard plains and Somis areas. Specifically, vehicles parked along the dirt roads had windows smashed to gain entry and property was stolen from inside. These crimes occurred during daytime hours while the victims were working in the fields. Numerous stereos, wallets and cell phones were taken. Some vehicles have also been stolen, including trucks belonging to the ranch owners which were left unlocked with keys in them. The purpose of this information is to advise the public not to leave any valuables in their vehicles whether they are out of view or not. Furthermore, locking cars and not leaving keys inside will help prevent criminal activity. We encourage anyone seeing suspicious activity to immediately call 911 or 805-654-9511. Provide a description of the suspect, approximate height, weight, clothing description (color), any unique features, vehicle license number, year, make, model, color and last known direction of travel. Nature of Incident: Vehicle Burglaries and Thefts 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 Anonymous — Wednesday, March 20th, 2013
 On March 17, at approximately 2:48 p.m., a structure fire was reported in the Bardsdale area, six units were on scene. Above an arson investigator takes pictures of the damage caused by the fire. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators arrested Ilsa Maldonado ad Victor Gomez for conspiracy to sell methamphetamine and child endangering. On 3/13/2013, Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators concluded the investigation into Ilsa Maldonado and Victor Gomez for methamphetamine sales in and around the city of Oxnard. Detectives observed Maldonado and Gomez selling methamphetamine in the area of Rose Avenue and Gonzalez Road, Oxnard. When they were detained, it was discovered Maldonado’s two children, ages 10 and 17, had been in the vehicle during the narcotics sale. Maldonado and Gomez were arrested for conspiracy to sell of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for sale, and felony child endangering. They were both booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the District Attorney’s Office, Behavioral Health and Public Health Services, and Ventura County Child and Family Services, participate in the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, known as DEC. This program defines drug endangered children as children who are at risk of suffering physical or emotional harm as a result of illegal drug use, possession, manufacturing, cultivation, or distribution. They may also be children whose caretaker’s substance misuse interferes with the caretaker’s ability to parent and provide a safe and nurturing environment. Ventura County Child and Family Services were called and took custody of the children. Nature of Incident: Methamphetamine sales / Child Endangering arrests |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies recovered five stolen horses valued at more than $10,000 and two saddles valued at more than $1200.00 in the 1900 block of Lewis Road. Four of the horses recovered were miniature horses. On 2-28-2013, a victim who lives in the 1600 block of Los Angeles Avenue in Somis, reported that one of his horses was missing from his property. At the time, the victim was unsure if the horse was stolen or had managed to get loose and was roaming in the nearby hillsides. On 03-13-2013, the victim had located his stolen horse in a stable, in the 1900 block of Lewis Road. The victim also noticed several stolen miniature horses belonging to an additional victim, along with some stolen saddles. Deputies responded and through investigation Mr. Pina was found to be involved in the crime. Deputies arrested Mr. Pina for 496(a) PC (Possession of Stolen Property) and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail. The recovered horses were all returned to their rightful owners. Nature of Incident: Recovery of Stolen Horses 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, March 19th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 12, 2013, between 8:00 pm and 9:15 pm, a male suspect armed with a handgun and wearing a ski mask committed several completed and attempted robberies in the general vicinity of B Real Fitness and Albertsons market located in the 2400 block of Las Posas Road in the city of Camarillo. Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Investigators initiated an in depth investigation into the matter and soon identified Camarillo resident, Austin Jacquemin, as a person of interest. As the investigation progressed, sufficient probable cause was established to arrest Jacquemin for armed robbery and attempted robbery. On March 14, 2013, at approximately 2:40 pm, Jacquemin was located and arrested in the 2500 block of Las Posas Road. At the time of Jacquemin’s arrest, he was still in possession of property taken from one of his victims. A search warrant was served later that evening at Jacquemin’s residence. Investigators seized several items of evidence, including a replica handgun used during the crimes, a ski mask and additional property belonging to one of the victims. Jacquemin was booked for multiple counts of armed robbery and attempted robbery. Jacquemin’s bail has been set at $505,000. In addition to the reported robberies, investigators have determined there are other victims that have not yet come forward. Anyone with information regarding any of these crimes is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant John Gleason at (805) 384-4727. If you wish to remain anonymous, Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and criminal complaint against persons responsible for crimes such as this one. The caller may remain anonymous and the call is not recorded. The number for Crime Stoppers is 800-222-TIPS (8477). Nature of Incident: Arrest of Suspect Responsible for Multiple Robberies in Camarillo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Moorpark Police Department Investigations Unit concluded a two-month investigation into a vandalism crime spree in the City of Moorpark. Over the past two months, a suspect, using a moniker, spray painted several walls throughout the city causing thousands of dollars of damage, including damage to a middle school. Detectives developed information, which led them to Elmert Soto as a suspect in the vandalisms. On March 15, 2013, Detectives from the Moorpark Police Department and Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit served a search warrant at Soto’s residence in the mid-block of Flory Ave, in Moorpark. Detectives discovered numerous items of evidentiary value linking Soto to the multiple vandalisms. Soto was arrested for one felony count of vandalism and one misdemeanor count of possession of graffiti tools. Marijuana was also seized during the services of the search warrant. He is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail with a bail of $10,000. Additional arrests and search warrants are expected in this investigation. Nature of Incident: Felony Graffiti Vandalism |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 03/13/13, at 11:15 am, the Rio Mesa High School resource officer was called to assist a 14-year-old student who was unresponsive. Medical assistance was immediately requested and the juvenile was transported to Saint John’s Hospital where she was treated and released. Through the investigation, it was determined that the female had consumed a marijuana laced chocolate product. The consumption of the product caused her to become temporarily unresponsive and incoherent. It was later determined that (S-1) Kelvin Mathew Rodriguez furnished (S-2) the product to sell. It was sold to (S-3) who then provided it to three additional juvenile students. The Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit went to Rodriguez’s residence and arrested him for an existing felony warrant, 11360(a)H&S (sales of marijuana) and 11353(b)H&S (using a minor to sell a controlled substance). Rodriguez was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail. (S-2) was arrested and booked into the Juvenile Justice Center for 11360(a) H&S (sales of marijuana). (S-3) was arrested for 11360(a) H&S (furnishing marijuana). The successful outcome of this incident was possible through the strong partnership between Rio Mesa High School administrators and the Sheriff’s Office. It is through these joint efforts that we are able to protect children and combat the distribution of drugs within our communities and schools. Nature of Incident: Rio Mesa High School Drug Arrest |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Commander Guy Stewart has been selected as the new chief of police for the City of Camarillo. Outgoing Police Chief, Commander Steve DeCesari, will be taking an assignment at Sheriff’s East County Patrol Services in command of police services for the unincorporated areas. Commander Stewart will be formally introduced to the City Council March 13, 2013. Commander Stewart is a 28-year member of the Sheriff’s Office. He is a graduate of Buena High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Studies at the University of North Dakota. Commander Stewart has spent the past seven years in his current rank and worked in the department’s Support Services Division overseeing the Professional Standards Bureau. He has also worked in the Detention Services Division, where he was in command of the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, court security at the Hall of Justice complex, Juvenile Justice Complex, and the East County Courthouse in Simi Valley. Commander Stewart’s experience also includes management of patrol operations as watch commander, Sheriff’s Major Crimes, and Detention Services Administration. Commander Stewart will begin his duties as chief of police in mid-April. Commander DeCesari has been Camarillo’s chief of police for the past seven years. He has left a strong and positive impression on the community while leading the police department. Some of his achievements include development of the Clergy Program, Start Smart for teenage drivers, Parent Project, and the Citizen Academy. Commander DeCesari has served as a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo as chairman for two years, a member of the Rotary Club of Camarillo, and a member of the Saving Lives Camarillo Anti-Drug Coalition for under-age youth. In summarizing his time as police chief, Commander DeCesari commented, “I am especially proud of all the employees assigned to the Camarillo station who work their best and do an excellent job serving the residents of Camarillo everyday.” Commander DeCesari will be recognized later this month for his outstanding dedication to the community as the 2012 Camarillo Chamber of Commerce Public Servant of the Year. Nature of Incident: New Chief of Police in the City of Camarillo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
SACRAMENTO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the arraignment of two individuals who allegedly bought large numbers of stolen smartphones in California for resale in Hong Kong, raking in nearly $4 million in less than a year. The arraignment follows a six-month, multi-state investigation into the trafficking of stolen smart phones by the California Attorney General’s eCrime Unit. “This international theft ring used fraud and deceit to steal smartphones and exploit the homeless,” said Attorney General Harris. “I applaud the hard work of our Special Agents whose tenacious investigation put an end to this criminal enterprise.” Defendants Shou Lin Wen, 39, of Sacramento, and Yuting Tan, 27, of Sacramento, were arrested on March 6 and arraigned today on eight felony counts of money laundering, grand theft, possession of stolen property and conspiracy. They are being held in Sacramento County Jail on $1 million bail each. According to the arrest warrant, co-conspirators in the scheme enlisted individuals from homeless shelters to purchase multiple smart phones such as the Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Blackberry from cell phone carriers. Carriers allow individuals to purchase up to five phones in their name under one plan at a discounted rate. The straw purchasers then delivered the phones to the co-conspirators for a nominal payment. It is alleged that the straw purchasers never intended to follow through with paying for the phones’ contracts which, under California law, constitutes committing theft by false pretenses and designates the phones as stolen property. Hundreds of stolen phones were then bundled from across the country by middlemen and sent to Wen and Tan, the scheme’s ringleaders, in California. Wen and Tan profited by shipping the stolen phones to Hong Kong, where iPhones can go for as much as $2,000. Special Agents with the eCrime Unit conducted surveillance operations and tracked parcels across the country to identify the ringleaders. According to the arrest warrant, agents intercepted four of the 110 parcels shipped by Wen and Tan to Hong Kong during the past 12 months. The 412 phones seized from these packages were traced back to phony customers as far away as North Carolina. During an eight-month period, the defendants’ business self-reported gross sales of $3,948,485. On March 6, Special Agents with the eCrime Unit conducted an undercover operation in the Sacramento West Marine parking lot, during which they offered to sell 408 “stolen” iPhone 4s and iPhone 5s to Wen and Tan. The defendants agreed to pay $60,600 in cash for 163 phones and were arrested after producing the cash. In 2011, Attorney General Harris created the eCrime Unit to investigate and prosecute identity theft crimes, cyber crimes and other crimes involving the use of technology. Photos, and the complaint are attached to the electronic version of this release at: http://oag.ca.gov/news |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 3/11/13, Camarillo detectives served a search warrant at a residence in 3200 block of Buttercup Lane, Camarillo. Christopher Cole, 25, was arrested after he was found in possession of pepper spray and an altered replica handgun at his residence. Cole, a convicted felon for a narcotics violation, is prohibited under California state law from possessing pepper spray and the altered replica firearm. An investigation was initiated on Cole after the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office learned he had made a threat against a CHP officer in Tulare County during the last week of February 2013. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office also believed Cole was possibly in possession of a handgun and issued an officer safety bulletin to members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding agencies upon learning Cole was possibly residing in Camarillo. Cole was booked at the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $250,000. Nature of Incident: Search Warrant Service - Arrest |