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By Anonymous — Monday, September 17th, 2012
RIVERSIDE, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the arraignment of four men who attempted to sell 25 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of more than $1.1 million to an undercover task force agent. The narcotics are believed to have been imported from the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico. “Transnational gangs are a real and present danger in California and a priority for Department of Justice agents,” said Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. “We must continue and extend our crackdown on these transnational gangs and their trafficking of guns, drugs and human beings throughout our state.” Juan Martin Ramirez, 22, of Inglewood, Carlos Javier Martinez-Sequeira, 43, and Jose Manuel Chaidez, 25, of Hawthorne, and Jesus Manuel Landeros, 42, of Phoenix, Arizona were arraigned today in Riverside County Superior Court on two felony counts of possession of methamphetamine for sale and transportation of a controlled substance. All four defendants pled not guilty, and bail was set for each at $1 million. The Riverside County CONTINUED » |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, September 17th, 2012
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On September 13th and 14th, 2012, detectives from the Moorpark Police Department, along with several other specialized units from within the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, served search warrants at ten residences in the city of Moorpark. These search warrants were related to the investigation of two gang related shootings that occurred in the City of Moorpark on August 11th and 13th, 2012. As a result of these searches, many other crimes were discovered. Therefore, Clark Mendoza and Alfredo Gutierrez were arrested for child endangerment; Edgar Godinez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell; Jose Ayala was arrested for possession of a controlled substance; Michael Lopez, Randy Gomez, Anthony Gomez and Tiffany Davis were arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance; Larry Reyes was arrested for a parole violation and Ricardo Mendoza was arrested for an outstanding warrant. The investigation into these shootings is continuing. If you have information, please contact the Sheriff’s East County Major Crimes Unit at (805) 494-8201. Ventura County Crime Stoppers will also pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for these crimes. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). Nature of Incident: Search Warrants Lead to Several Arrests (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age |
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By Anonymous — Monday, September 17th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Join us for a day of fun at the second annual Gourmet Food Truck and Bocce Ball Festival. We have amazing cuisine with some of the best gourmet food trucks in Ventura and LA Counties. There are 12 official size Bocce courts for our double elimination tournament, where the winner receives $500 and bragging rights for the "Best Bocce Team in Ventura County." The event will have a family fun zone, picnic areas, and a "Terror Truck" to get you in the spirit of the season. Bruce Barrios, the number one Event DJ in the county will be the Master of Ceremonies with non-stop entertainment featuring the Shoemaker Brothers, Cover to Cover, and Sound Effects playing all day on the Festival Stage. Limoneira NACE, The National Association of Catering and Events presents this year's Festival and it will benefit the Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation. If you have never visited Limoneira Ranch, it is a jewel in Ventura County, come on out, enjoy the surroundings and spend the day with us! For more information visit: BocceFestival.com Event tickets: Sponsorships are available and include your team entry fee. Contact: nancy@VCSheriffsFoundation.org, 805-492-4398. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 12th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On August 1, 2012, the Thousand Oaks Police Department initiated an investigation into a theft of a large amount of jewelry from the 100 block of Pajaro Street in Thousand Oaks. Over the course of the investigation, detectives obtained evidence that linked Christopher Fagundes to the crime. On September 6, 2012, detectives from the Thousand Oaks Investigations Bureau and the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit located Fagundes and Jessica Madsen at a residence in the City of Ventura. A search led to the recovery of stolen property and narcotics. This stolen property included jewelry stolen in the Thousand Oaks theft, as well as a law enforcement Taser that had been stolen in the City of Camarillo. Fagundes was arrested for felony possession of stolen property, felony possession of a controlled substance and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Madsen was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Both Fagundes and Madsen were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Nature of Incident: Theft Investigation (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 12th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 9-4-12, Moorpark Detectives learned Luellen Leyva forged company checks and stole from her place of employment. She was arrested and later admitted to stealing approximately $700,000 from her place of employment. She stated she wrote herself checks on her employer's account, deposited the checks into her two personal accounts and then wired the money to a man and his representatives that she met on an internet dating site. She stated that she wired over $500,000 from one of her bank accounts to her internet fiancée. A search was conducted of her residence, vehicle, computers, phone, bank accounts and email account. An analysis of her bank accounts showed Leyva deposited over $400,000 into one of her accounts and over $100,000 into another one of her accounts from checks she forged from her place of employment during the past twenty months alone. An analysis of her emails showed she had been communicating with a man known to her only as David Mark since last year. She thought she developed an internet romance with a wealthy foreign national. She believed he was to meet her last year but she soon was told he was detained by immigration when he landed in the United States to be with her. A long drawn out supposed battle with immigration and attorneys ensued in which Leyva consistently wired thousands of dollars in what she thought was an attempt to free her lover. Even after she was fired on 9-4-12, there was communication between Mark's alleged attorney and her regarding sending more money to secure Mark's release. Leyva finally understood, during the interview with detectives, that there never was a David Mark who was being held by immigration and she was sending money to a criminal organization, based out of Africa. Leyva is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail. Nature of Incident: Major Fraud / Embezzlement Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 12th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 05-17-12, a female victim reported that she met a male who identified himself as Michael Russo. This person attempted to sell her pre-IPO Facebook shares of stock at a discounted price. The victim’s suspicions were raised and she contacted the Thousand Oaks Police Department. Deputies from the Thousand Oaks Police Department subsequently contacted the individual named Russo. Russo later identified himself as Michael Freedman. Deputies found documents regarding the potential sale of the pre-IPO Facebook shares. They also found other documents with names of other females who might be potential victims. The documents had logos of a major financial institution and a Silicon Valley based capital venture firm that indicated that Russo/Freedman had Facebook shares to sell and a multi-million dollar trust fund available to him. During the course of the investigation, these documents were determined to be fraudulent. Detectives also learned that Freedman had sold these non-existent Facebook shares to another female victim for the sum of $10,000.00 on 04-06-12. On 09-06-12, during the continuing investigation, Thousand Oaks Police Department Special Enforcement Detail Detectives arrested Freedman in the 100 block of N. La Brea Avenue in Inglewood, CA. Freedman is currently in custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility awaiting a court hearing for grand theft, theft by false pretenses, burglary, and attempted grand theft charges. Thousand Oaks residents can protect themselves from this type of activity by verifying the person who is promoting the sales of these securities. A legitimate salesperson will have a securities license and be registered with the California State Department of Corporations (www.corp.ca.gov.) Nature of Incident: Man arrested for grand theft, theft by false pretenses, burglary, and attempted grand theft 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, September 10th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Jail visits will be canceled for four days this month due to renovations in the lobby of the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. All public visiting will be canceled from September 18, 2012, through September 21, 2012. This will not affect visits by attorneys or other professionals. The Sheriff’s Office would like the public to be aware of the impact of the visiting cancelation, so friends and relatives of inmates can plan accordingly. Notice of the cancelation will also be posted on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.vcsd.org The cancelation will not affect regular visiting schedules at the Todd Road Jail or the East County Jail. As always, people are encouraged to check the website to confirm an inmate’s location and the corresponding visiting schedule prior to arriving at any of our jail facilities. Nature of Incident: Jail Visiting to be Canceled During Renovations at Pre-Trial Detention Facility |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 5th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On August 31, 2012, during an investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, East County Major Crimes Bureau, Christopher Allen Burton was arrested at his residence in Thousand Oaks for child annoying. Burton has been identified as the person who drove a black truck and approached several young females. During one of these encounters, Burton identified himself as working for a local newspaper and offered money to the victims for their photographs. In another case, Burton offered money to take a video of the victim. The females were frightened by Burton’s behavior, went home, and reported the incident to their parents and police. The incidents have occurred near and around Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park High Schools. Burton was arrested, cited, and released with a court date. The case will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review and filing of criminal charges. This investigation remains open and ongoing. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is seeking information from the public regarding these incidents or any other similar incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Luna (805) 494-8229. Nature of Incident: PC 647.6(a) / Child Annoying 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 — Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that the number of reported hate crimes in California decreased 4 percent in 2011. There were 1,060 hate crime events reported statewide in 2011, a decrease from the 1,107 hate crime events reported in 2010. “There is no place in our inclusive Golden State for hate crimes and their destruction of what makes California so special,” Attorney General Harris said. “I welcome the decrease in these senseless crimes and commend state and local law enforcement for their efforts to protect every Californian.” Hate crimes with race/ethnicity/national origin account for the most common type of hate crime in the last 10 years and represented 57.5 percent of all hate crime events in 2011. Anti-Black hate crimes account for 29.5 percent of all hate crimes. Since 2002, anti-Hispanic hate crimes have decreased by 43.6 percent. Hate crimes events involving a religious bias have increased slightly, from 198 in 2010 to 201 in 2011. Anti-Jewish hate crimes continue to be most common, accounting for 8 percent of all hate crimes reported since 2002. Of the 201 hate crimes involving a religious bias in 2011, 132 were anti-Jewish. All police agencies and district attorney’s offices in California, in cooperation with the Department of Justice, have developed local data collection programs and submitted hate crime statistics for this report. Categories are established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A total of 313 hate crime cases were referred to prosecutors in 2011, and 253 cases were filed for prosecution. Of the 253 filed, 204 were filed as hate crimes. Of the 161 cases with a disposition available for this report, 46 percent (74) were hate crime convictions, 50 percent (80) were other convictions and 4 percent (7) were not convicted. The hate crime reporting system was implemented by the Department of Justice in 1994. Law enforcement agencies are required to submit copies of initial crime reports to the department, and each agency has established procedures incorporating a two-tier review process. The first level is done by the initial officer who responded to the suspected hate crime incident. Then each report is reviewed by at least one other officer to confirm that the event was, in fact, a hate crime. The California Attorney General’s Office published its first hate crimes report in 1995. All previous reports can be found at: http://oag.ca.gov/cjsc/pubs#hate A complete copy of the Hate Crime in California 2011 report is attached to an electronic version of this press release. |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
SACRAMENTO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the arraignment of two men who burglarized high-end electronics retailers in five Bay Area counties and then sold the merchandise on an online auction website. Justin Mahlet, 37, of Sacramento and Jason Tate, 41, of Rocklin were arraigned today in Placer County Superior Court on 17 felony counts of burglary that resulted in losses of $400,000 in stolen goods and property damage. Mahlet and Tate, who pled not guilty, turned themselves in on July 13 and July 19 and were released on bail set at $105,000 and $50,000, respectively. “The defendants used the anonymity of the Internet to sell stolen goods from high-end electronic retailers,” said Attorney General Harris. “This case is a prime example of state and local law enforcement collaboration to bring those who commit crimes online to justice.” The Attorney General’s eCrime Unit will prosecute the case because the defendants allegedly committed the commercial burglaries in multiple jurisdictions, and used eBay to fence the stolen goods. The investigation was conducted by the Palo Alto Police Department and the Sunnyvale Police Department. Between December 2010 and September 2011, Mahlet and Tate burglarized more than a dozen electronic retailers in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano counties. Among the items stolen were a $40,000 GPS device for land surveying, amplifiers valued at $10,000, cameras valued at $4,000 each, and other expensive goods. In September 2011, officers from the Sunnyvale Police Department responded to a commercial alarm and saw the defendants exiting the building with items. Mahlet and Tate attempted to flee but were arrested. Detectives later obtained search warrants for their residences and a storage rental unit in Rocklin, CA, where there were numerous electronic items from the businesses that had been burglarized. Detectives also uncovered eBay accounts associated with the defendants and found high-end electronic items listed for sale that matched items missing from the burglaries. Last year, Attorney General Harris created the eCrime Unit to identify and prosecute identity theft crimes, cybercrimes and other crimes involving the use of technology. More information is available here: http://oag.ca.gov/cybersafety. A copy of the complaint and arrest warrant is attached to the online version of this release at www.oag.ca.gov. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On September 1 at about 8:30 p.m. a Camarillo Police Department patrol vehicle was involved in a non-injury traffic collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Las Posas Rd. and Arneill Rd. The deputy was responding in a black and white patrol car Code-3 (red lights and siren) to an in-progress disturbance call. As it entered the intersection on Las Posas Rd., it collided with another vehicle attempting to make a left turn on to Las Posas Rd. from Arneill Rd. None of the parties involved in the collision were injured. After colliding with the vehicle driven by the other party, the patrol car rolled over and landed on its top. The deputy was removed from the vehicle with assistance by Ventura County Fire Department firefighters. The patrol vehicle sustained significant damage and the other involved vehicle sustained moderate damage. The traffic collision is under the investigation. Nature of Incident: Camarillo Police Department Patrol Vehicle Involved in Non-Injury Traffic Collision During Code-3 Response to Call |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On August 28, 2012, at about 7:30 p.m., a female minor was walking home from Thousand Oaks High School. A white adult male, driving a black truck, stopped and contacted the female, while remaining in his truck. The male offered the female money. The female, frightened by the male, declined his offer and hurried home. She reported the incident to police. The following day, two other female minors were skateboarding near CVS Pharmacy located at 125 North Reino Road, when a white male driving a black truck approached them. The male subject offered them money, but the girls declined his offer and walked into the store. Approximately five minutes later, the girls walked out of the store. The male subject again approached them and proceeded to offer them money. The incidents appear to be related. Thousand Oaks Police Department is conducting an active investigation and is seeking information from the public regarding these two incidents or any similar incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Luna (805) 494-8229. The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to remind the community to be aware of their surroundings and to continue to educate their children about personal safety. In both these events, the girls remained calm, sought shelter, and notified an adult immediately. Their actions clearly contributed to their safety. For information and prevention tips, please visit: http://ci.thousandoaks.ca.us/government/depts/police/childlure.asp Nature of Incident: Child Annoying Date & Time: August 28, 2012, 7:30 p.m. and August 29, 2012, 5:20 p.m. 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, September 4th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department A woman was assaulted as she was jogging on a secluded dirt trail in the area of Bowfield Street and Rockfield Street. She was knocked to the ground and struck in the face. During the fight, she was able to strike her attacker and then run to safety and call the police. Suspect concealed his face from victim. He also fled the scene in an unknown direction. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is seeking information from the public regarding this incident. We also want to remind citizens to exercise with others and stay away from secluded areas whenever possible. Nature of Incident: Attempted Sexual Assault of Jogger 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 — Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
SACRAMENTO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that the final parts of the California Homeowner Bill of Rights have passed out of both legislative houses and have been sent to the Governor’s desk. “The entire Homeowner Bill of Rights legislative package will ensure fair lending and borrowing practices for California homeowners,” said Attorney General Harris. “California has been the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis and this package of legislation will help affected homeowners, tenants and neighborhoods.” Senate Bill 1474 by Senator Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, gives the Attorney General’s office the ability to use a statewide grand jury to investigate and indict the perpetrators of financial crimes involving victims in multiple counties. Assembly Bill 1950, CONTINUED » |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Kevin Richard Graehl (DOB 6/30/81), of Westlake, pled guilty on August 29, 2012, to one count of first-degree residential burglary and one count of false imprisonment. Each count included a special allegation that Graehl personally used a firearm in the commission of the offense. The charges stem from an incident which took place December 15, 2011. Graehl previously had a romantic relationship with one of the victims in the case. When their relationship became strained, Graehl tracked the victim to the home of an acquaintance. Graehl entered the occupied residence with a loaded rifle and falsely imprisoned two victims. Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department conducted a thorough investigation that ultimately led to Graehl’s capture and arrest. Sentencing in this matter is set for September 28, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 37 of the Ventura County Superior Court. |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Andrew Thomas Enriquez (DOB 4/25/1977), of Ventura, was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence of 14 years in prison for battering his girlfriend with a deadly weapon and causing great bodily injury to her. Enriquez received 11 years stemming from the attack and an additional three years because he had previously been to prison in three prior cases. The attack in this case occurred during the morning hours of November 3, 2011. During an argument, Enriquez struck his girlfriend in the head with a power tool fracturing her skull, rupturing her ear drum, and causing her to lose consciousness. The victim initially refused to identify Enriquez as her assailant and ultimately testified on his behalf at jury trial. Enriquez was on parole for a crime of domestic violence committed against a different victim at the time of the attack. On July 24, 2012, a Ventura County jury found Enriquez guilty. On August 29, 2012, given the severity of the crime and his prior record, which includes multiple convictions for crimes of domestic violence, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Ryan Wright imposed the maximum possible sentence allowed by law. |
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By Anonymous — Thursday, August 30th, 2012
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the sentencing of the former hospital administrator of Kern Valley Health District, a rare case in which a hospital administrator is being held criminally responsible for conduct by a lower-ranked employee. Pamela Ott, former hospital administrator of the Kern Valley Health District, pled no contest to one felony count of conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public health based on her failure to adequately supervise the Director of Nursing. During Ott’s tenure as administrator, Director of Nursing Gwen Hughes administered psychotropic medications to 23 elderly residents in order to chemically restrain them for staff convenience. Three patients died. “Ott neglected her responsibility to monitor the practices of her employees and, in doing so, she endangered the health and well-being of vulnerable residents,” Attorney General Harris said. “California has strong laws to prevent elder abuse and we will enforce them so we can protect the most vulnerable among us.” Ott was sentenced to three years formal probation, 300 hours of volunteer service, restitution pending conclusion of civil lawsuits. She is required to comply with all orders from the Registered Nursing Board, which is conducting its own investigation into the matter. In July 2012, Dr. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 29th, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
As we head into the long Labor Day weekend over 8,100 firefighters remain on the firelines battling the 6 remaining large wildfires in northern California. Firefighters will be getting a break in the weather today in the north but significant fire activity is still possible on several of these well-established wildfires. Coordination continues between Federal, State and Local fire agencies to assist with existing fires and to respond to any new incidents. The National Weather Service cancelled the Red Flag Warning for northern and central California. Dry conditions will remain as these regions recover from the low humidity and winds that occurred over the last few days. Temperatures will rise slightly as this weather system moves east. The weather should provide firefighters with favorable conditions in many areas as efforts continue to contain these major fires. Southern California will see weather changes over the next few days as a high pressure system develops to the east and a monsoonal flow develops. This weather pattern could create thunder storms from the Southern Sierras all the way to San Diego. As Thunderstorms occur they create very gusty and erratic winds and often produce lightning. Firefighters will continue to monitor the weather and increased fire threat statewide. The fire danger in California remains elevated. During periods of high fire danger, CAL FIRE asks that residents living or recreating in or near the wildlands use extreme caution to avoid starting a new fire. It’s important that everyone plan for a fire safe Labor Day Weekend. As a reminder, a statewide burn ban remains in effect for all state responsibility areas. For information on the burn ban please visit: http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/newsreleases/2012/BurnBa... Fires of Interest: **CAL FIRE Incidents** Ponderosa Fire, Tehama CONTINUED » |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, August 29th, 2012
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 8/18/2012, deputies from the Moorpark Police Department were dispatched to a theft call in the 15300 block of Seitz Court in the City of Moorpark. When they arrived, deputies spoke with two neighbors who explained that about two weeks prior, they hired a contractor, claiming to be an owner of "Guardian Fence" to install a fence between their yards. The neighbors told deputies that the contractor accepted their money but never returned to complete the work. After several days of not showing up, the neighbors called Guardian Fence, and learned that the contractor who accepted their funds, was actually a sub-contractor with no authority to represent the company, make bids or accept funds. Deputies learned that the suspect, identified as Theodore "Ted" Diamond, requested and accepted personal checks from both neighbors made out directly in the name of "Ted Diamond.” A report was generated and an investigation was initiated into the activities of Diamond. Detectives spoke with the actual owners of Guardian Fence, and learned that they had occasionally employed Diamond as a sub-contractor, off and on, for several months. They also learned that during the week of 8/20/2012, Diamond had misrepresented himself to at least 7 victims, as an employee of Guardian Fence. In each instance, Diamond made a bid to perform work and received cash or a personal check made out to him. In most of the instances, the work was never performed. The owners reiterated that Diamond had no authority to make bids, receive funds or act as an agent of the company. The owners added that around May of 2012, they signed up, at the urging of Diamond, to subscribe with an internet marketing service that provided leads to contractors who were seeking potential customers. The internet service provided weekly messages to their subscribers of customers seeking contractors to perform construction work. The owners soon learned that Diamond had surreptitiously arranged to have his name and his girlfriend's name replaced as the points of contact, which was how he obtained many of the different customer/ victims. On 8/21/2012, detectives located Diamond, with the assistance of the Thousand Oaks Police Department Special Enforcement Unit and arrested him for theft by false pretenses while he was working as a construction laborer for a different construction company. Diamond was interviewed and booked into custody at the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. After Diamond’s arrest, detectives continued to investigate his activities and learned of additional victims throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The total dollar loss was determined to be several thousand dollars. Detectives also learned Diamond was a wanted fugitive from the East Coast for the same type of activity. A case was prepared and filed with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for nine felony and two misdemeanor counts of theft including identity theft with the owners of Guardian Fence identified as victims. Anyone who feels that they may be a victim of Diamond is invited to call the Moorpark Police Department. Nature of Incident: Identity Theft 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 Anonymous — Tuesday, August 28th, 2012
SACRAMENTO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced today that two bills that will help victims by making it more difficult for human traffickers to hide their assets have passed the legislature and have been sent to the Governor’s desk. Assembly Bill 2466, by Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley), ensures that criminal defendants involved in human trafficking will not dispose of assets that would otherwise be provided as restitution to victims. Senate Bill 1133, by Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), expands the list of assets that a human trafficker must forfeit and provides a formula for using those resources to help victims of human trafficking. Both bills passed unanimously with bipartisan support. “Human trafficking is big business in California. It is a high profit criminal industry that is expanding rapidly across the globe, including here in California,” said Attorney General Harris. “This legislation will make sure those who perpetrate these crimes will not profit from them.” Senate Bill 1133 ensures CONTINUED » |