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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
 A brush fire on Grand Avenue was quickly extinguished last Wednesday by firefighters. It is believed the fire was accidently started by a dirtbike. Photo by Sebastian Ramirez. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On Saturday, April 18th, 2015, detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau conducted compliance checks at the residences of registered sex offenders in the areas of Fillmore, Piru, and Moorpark. The compliance checks were part of the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE / ELEAS) Grant. Thirty (30) of the thirty three (33) registered sex offenders were found to be in compliance with their registration requirement. Three (3) registrants were not contacted because they were not home or had moved. Sheriff’s detectives will follow-up to determine if the registrants are out-of-compliance. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting similar sweeps on an ongoing basis, to verify registered sex offenders are living at their reported residences and in compliance with any probation or parole terms. Residents of Ventura County can visit the Megan’s Law website (www.meganslaw.ca.gov) to familiarize themselves with the sex registrants in their community. Nature of Incident: Sex Registrant Compliance Sweep 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 21st, 2015
 Ivan Ruiz Reyes, Port Hueneme, 20 Over the last several months, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit and Sheriff’s Headquarters Detectives began investigating a series of residential burglaries which occurred in the unincorporated community of Oxnard known as Nyeland Acres. Since the beginning of the year, there have been at least twelve reported residential burglaries which are believed to be linked to the same suspect(s). During one of these burglaries, the victim confronted the suspect as he attempted to leave. A struggled ensued until the suspect retrieved a knife, pointed it toward the victim, and threatened to get a gun and kill the victim. Fearing for his safety, the victim let the suspect leave. Recently, with the assistance of the Ventura Police Street Crimes Unit, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit was able to identify a suspect, (S) Ivan Ruiz Reyes. Ivan Ruiz Reyes is a criminal street gang member who has a violent criminal history. On 04/18/2015, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit contacted and arrested Ivan Ruiz Reyes. During the arrest, Ivan Ruiz Reyes was observed driving his white four-door Honda Civic which has been linked to several of the residential burglaries. Property believed to be stolen was located inside his vehicle, at his residence in Port Hueneme, and at his family’s residence in Oak View. Ivan Ruiz Reyes also was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested for drug offenses and transported to the Headquarters Station for further investigation. Based on the evidence obtained during the lengthy investigation, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit developed probable cause to arrest Ivan Ruiz Reyes for multiple counts of felony residential burglary, multiple counts of receiving stolen property, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of criminal threats. He was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility with a bail set at $250,000.00. During the investigation, Detectives also obtained information leading us to believe there are additional suspects still outstanding and possible other residential burglaries which have occurred in other areas. Detectives are seeking additional witnesses and victims to residential burglaries which have occurred in the last several months. If anyone has information please contact Detective Foote at 805-654-2856. Nature of Incident: Residential Burglaries 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, April 21st, 2015
 Kiley Bedwell Thousand Oaks 28 S-Bedwell is suspected of lewd acts with a minor, which occurred during 2011 and 2012 when the victim was between the ages of 15 and 16 years old and Bedwell was between the ages of 24 and 25 years old. Bedwell had regular contact with the victim while working as an athletic coach in Camarillo during the time of the incidents. Although S-Bedwell currently works at University Preparation School in Camarillo, there is no indication of him being involved with crimes at the school. Detectives arrested Bedwell at his home in Thousand Oaks. Anyone with additional information regarding Bedwell is urged to contact Det. Christine Rettura (805) 797-6328 at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit. Nature of Incident: Camarillo Teacher Arrested 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, April 13th, 2015
 Gary Sperling, Woodland Hills, CA. 67 On 4-4-15, the female victim went to the Massage Envy for a massage. During the massage, the suspect sexually assaulted the female victim. Investigators with the East County Major Crimes, Sexual Assault Unit, conducted an investigation and identified (S) Gary Sperling as the suspect. On 4-8-15, Sperling was interviewed and ultimately arrested for one count of PC 286(g) / Sodomy of an Incompetent Person and one count of PC 288(c)(2) / Lewd Act on Dependent Adult. Sperling also told Investigators he has worked as a massage therapist at several Massage Envy locations for nine years. Sperling was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on $100,000.00 bail. At this time, Investigators are not aware of any additional victims. Anyone who may have information about this suspect is asked to contact East County Major Crimes Detective Eric Taylor at 805-371-8397 or eric.taylor@ventura.org. Nature of Incident: Massage Therapist 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 California Highway Patrol — Monday, April 13th, 2015
The safety of the public, as well as law enforcement and first responders, frequently depends on a group of highly trained professionals who are heard far more often than they are seen. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) honors these skilled men and women during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12 – 18, 2015. “I am very proud of our dedicated professionals and the services they provide the public every single day,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Public Safety Telecommunicators, or dispatchers, are the first and most critical contact people have with emergency services. In addition to assisting the public, they help our officers in the field by providing valuable information, so that officers can get the job done on the front lines.” CHP dispatchers handle the majority of California’s wireless 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls. Dispatchers ensure the appropriate assistance is provided, whether it is sending an officer to respond to a call, or contacting fire, ambulance, or other emergency services. In addition, they are in constant radio communication with the patrol officers, often assisting them by looking up vehicle identification, license plate and driver license numbers, or by running checks for wanted subjects. The CHP has 25 communications centers statewide that employ more than 900 public safety dispatchers. Last year these employees were responsible for handling approximately Calling 9-1-1 can be intimidating. The following tips will help callers during an emergency. • Stay as calm as possible. The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, April 13th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Sheriff Geoff Dean is pleased to announce the graduation of the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center’s Academy Class #2014-2. The graduation ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, California. The guest speaker for the graduation ceremony will be Thousand Oaks City Mayor Pro Tem Joel Price. The recruits have completed 24 weeks of instruction provided through the combined efforts of local law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice entities. The intense training and education prepares these recruits for the responsibilities of serving their communities as peace officers. Please see below for the names of the graduating recruits and their respective agencies. ACADEMY ROSTER OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT SANTA BARBARA POLICE DEPARTMENT SIMI VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT VENTURA POLICE DEPARTMENT VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE Nature of Incident: Academy Class 2014-2 Graduation |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, April 7th, 2015
On Tuesday March 31, 2015, the Fillmore Explorer Post #2958 spent their spring break hiking up to the Santa Paula Punch Bowls near Thomas Aquinas College. As they hiked up to the pools of water, they collected several bags of trash scattered throughout the canyon. In coordination with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, the explorers carried the trash bags to a designated location where the explorers were then able to witness the air unit touch down, pick up the bags, and then fly them away. Explorer Advisor Deputy Leonardo Vazquez described the event as "a great opportunity for the explorers to clean up their environment, get a workout, and witness one of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office greatest resources in action." The hike was led by Civilian Explorer Advisor DJ Wareham, Cadet Julio Espinoza, Deputy Leonardo Vazquez, and Fillmore Citizen Patrol member Isela Larin. The Fillmore Explorers would like to thank Sergeant Carl Patterson and the members of the Aviation Unit for their collaboration with this event. #VCSO #AIRUNIT #EXPLORERS #FILLMOREPOLICE The Law Enforcement Explorer Program consists of young men and women ages 14-21 with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Law Enforcement. The explorer program provides law enforcement career experiences, leadership opportunities, educational training, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens in their communities and the nation. If you would like more information about your local explorer program, please contact School Resource Officer, Deputy Leonardo Vazquez at Leonardo.vazquez@ventura.org or 805-947-8150 Nature of Incident: Explorers Clean Up Santa Paula Punchbowls |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, April 7th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), in cooperation with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, and various cities and special districts within Ventura County, is launching a countywide effort to re-assess risks posed by natural and human-caused disasters and identify ways to reduce those risks. The planning process will result in the preparation of an updated Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP). The County developed their first MHMP in 2005, updated the plan in 2010 and is kicking-off the 2015 plan update process. An updated version of the plan is required under the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 in order to be eligible to continue to receive certain forms of Federal disaster assistance. OES has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for preparation of the updated plan. Additionally, the updated 2015 MHMP will support the County’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS) program by addressing the program’s Floodplain Management Planning activities. To earn CRS credits and participate in the CRS program, communities must illustrate that they have gone beyond the minimum floodplain protection requirements and have developed extra measures to provide protection to their community from flooding. In 2011, Ventura County entered the CRS program at class 6 participation. Ventura County is the first county in California to enter the program at that level. Ventura County is vulnerable to a wide range of disasters. In the past five years, Ventura County has received multiple Presidential disaster declarations and State Emergency Proclamations due to various natural disasters including the hazards of winter storm, drought and wildfire. The risks posed by these hazards and other hazards increases as the County’s population continues to grow. The 2015 MHMP will provide the County, the participating cities and special districts with the necessary tools to identify these risks and prioritize future actions for reducing these risks. Additionally, the plan will provide a framework for future requests for Federal assistance to institute risk-reducing actions. The County’s current Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, as well as information about the CRS program can be found on the County of Ventura’s flood information webpage: http://www.vcfloodinfo.com/home. The planning process will occur from March – August 2015. For further information about the project and/or if you are interested in participating in the plan update process please contact Dale Carnathan at dale.carnathan@ventura.org or (805) 654-5152. For further information specific to CRS and the FMP appendix, please contact Brian Trushinksi at Brian.Trushinski@ventura.org or (805) 477-1967. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for public comments on a draft of the plan. The comment period is anticipated to occur in July 2015; specific details will be distributed closer to the comment period date. Nature of Event: 2015 Ventura County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Tuesday, March 31st, 2015
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Miguel Martinez (DOB 12/15/92), of Oxnard, was sentenced today for the murder of Sun Cha Kays, committed on February 19, 2010. Superior Court Judge Charles Campbell sentenced Martinez to 25 years to life in prison on the charge of first-degree murder. Judge Campbell also sentenced Martinez to two years for the crime of accessory-after-the-fact, to be run consecutive to his sentence of 25 years to life. The charges arose from Martinez’s conduct on February 17, 2010, and February 19, 2010. On February 17, 2010, Martinez drove Jose Ochoa away from the Tokyo Spa in Oxnard knowing Ochoa had just committed a robbery. On February 19, 2010, Martinez drove Ochoa and Gabriel Lopez to the A-1 Spa in Oxnard to commit a robbery. Ochoa and Lopez entered the business while Martinez waited in the vehicle. During the attempted robbery, Ochoa shot and killed the female business owner, Sun Cha Kays. Martinez then drove Ochoa and Lopez away. Ochoa has been convicted for the robbery occurring on February 17, and the murder on February 19. He is serving a sentence of life without parole plus an additional term of 97 years and four months to life. Lopez has also been convicted for his role in the murder and is serving a sentence of 25 years to life. |
 Over 12,300 pills including hydrocodone and clonazepam were seized along with 7 handguns and a rifle. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 31st, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Between March 20, 2015 and March 24, 2015, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU) and Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit (PCU) concluded an investigation with the arrest of three individuals suspected of trafficking in prescription medication and guns. At the beginning of 2015, the PCU received an anonymous tip regarding Alfredo Leon selling prescription medication in the County of Ventura. Detectives identified Leon and several of his associates. The Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested one of his associates, Martin Ipatzi, on 3-20-15. Ipatzi was in possession of approximately 700 pills of hydrocodone and clonazepam. Three handguns were also seized during his initial arrest. Detectives from the PCU followed up this arrest with several search warrants at Ipatzi’s apartment, a residence where he kept property, and two storage lockers. All locations were in the city of Oxnard. Over 12,300 pills including hydrocodone and clonazepam were seized along with 7 handguns and a rifle. Ipatzi’s girlfriend, Erica Barboza, was also arrested in the investigation. One of the storage lockers was in her name and investigators learned she destroyed evidence in this case after Ipatzi was arrested. Detectives then served a search warrant at Leon’s residence in the city of Oxnard. He was arrested for conspiracy to sell Alprazolam and Hydrocodone. Two guns were seized from his residence as well. In total, over 13,000 pills and 13 guns were seized in this investigation. All individuals were booked into the Ventura County Jail for a variety of drug and weapons violations. Court dates are pending. This investigation is continuing and additional arrests are anticipated. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office East County Street Team and Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail assisted on the investigation. The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is a task force comprised of members from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Simi Valley Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, and the California Highway Patrol. Their primary mission is combatting the transfer of legal prescription medication to the illegal market. In addition, the task force works to identify and stop new trends of abuse among the younger population and investigates overdose deaths due to both prescription medication and illicit drug use. Anyone with information regarding these topics is encouraged to contact the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit at (805) 383-8700 or via e-mail at pharm.tip@ventura.org. Nature of Incident: Three Suspects Arrested with 13,000 Pills and 13 Guns |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Synopsis: The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit completed an investigation of Gabriel Flores selling heroin in the City of Ventura. Flores was arrested and a search warrant was served at his residence on Cameron Court, in the City of Ventura. Investigation: During the latter part of 2014 and early 2015, detectives from the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit learned of the use and sales of heroin and Xanax in the City of Ventura, among teenagers and young adults. Detectives learned of several probable heroin overdose deaths in the city as well. Detectives from the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into Gabriel Flores when they learned he was selling heroin in the City of Ventura. The investigation revealed that Flores sold heroin within 50 feet of De Anza Middle School, located in Ventura, on multiple occasions. The drug sales did not occur on the school property. Flores sold the drugs while school was in session, however. None of the buyers had any connection to the school. On March 13, 2015, detectives from the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit and the West County Sheriff’s Narcotics Street Team conducted surveillance on Flores’ residence located in the 100 block of Cameron Court, Ventura. Flores residence was within one block of De Anza Middle School. During the surveillance, detectives observed Flores leave his residence pushing a stroller with his three month old baby seated inside. Detectives then observed Flores conduct a hand to hand heroin deal with Steven Merrill of Ventura. Flores and Merrill were arrested and taken into custody without incident. Flores’ three month old baby was released to Ventura County Child Protective Services. A search warrant was served at Flores residence. Heroin packaged for sale, used syringes, as well as a syringe loaded with suspected heroin was seized. All of these items were found in a location easily accessible by the five and six year old children also residing in the apartment. The five and six year old children were also released to Ventura County Child Protective services. Merrill was arrested for a misdemeanor charge of possession of heroin. He was booked into Ventura County Jail with a $15,000 bail. His court date is pending. Flores was arrested and booked for sales of heroin with an enhancement of dealing near a school, possession of heroin for sale, and child endangerment. Flores is in custody in the Ventura County Jail with a $500,000.00 bail. His court date is pending. The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is a task force comprised of members from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Simi Valley Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, and the California Highway Patrol. Their primary mission is combatting the transfer of legal prescription medication to the illegal market. In addition, the task force works to identify and stop new trends of abuse among the younger population and investigates overdose deaths due to both prescription medication and illicit drug use. Anyone with information regarding these topics is encouraged to contact the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit at (805) 383-8700 or via e-mail at pharm.tip@ventura.org. Nature of Incident: Man with Baby Arrested Selling Heroin near De Anza Middle School |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 21, 2015 at about 6:04 PM, deputies from the Moorpark Police Department responded to a single vehicle traffic collision on Tierra Rejada Road east of Walnut Creek Road. During the investigation, deputies discovered a Toyota Prius had been traveling westbound on Tierra Rejada Road and for an unknown reason left the roadway colliding with a tree in the center median. As a result of the collision, the driver sustained fatal injuries and passed away at the scene. At the same time, a second vehicle traveling east on Tierra Rejada Road in the vicinity of the collision suffered moderate damage as a result of debris being ejected from the Toyota Prius after hitting the tree. The driver of the second vehicle had complaint of pain and suffered from broken glass striking her in the face and head. She was treated at the scene by the Ventura County Fire Department and American Medical Rescue (AMR) and released. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this collision at this time. The cause of this collision is still under investigation. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office will be releasing the decedant’s information after the appropiate notifications. Eastbound and westbound lanes near the collision scene were closed for approximately 5 hours as traffic investigators from both Moorpark and Thousand Oaks Police Departments collected evidence. Anyone who was in the area or may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Deputy David Anaya at the Moorpark Police Station. Nature of Incident: Fatal Traffic Collision (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (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 Santa Paula Police Department — Tuesday, March 17th, 2015
 Yajayra Dominguez Today the sentencing of Yajayra Dominguez was conducted in the murder of Ashley Calanche that occurred on Sept. 27, 2013 at Mill Park in the City of Santa Paula. Dominguez was found guilty of second degree murder on January 23, 2015. Yajayra Dominguez was sentenced to 40 years to life as a result of being found guilty of second degree murder. This means that Dominguez will not be eligible her first parole hearing until September of 2053 or when Dominguez will be 71 years old. The Santa Paula Police Department would like to thank the Ventura County District Attorney prosecutors and investigators for their assistance in this case. On Sept. 27, 2013 at approximately 1253 hours at Mill Park Dominguez and Calanche became involved in an argument that stemmed over texting on Facebook. The argument escalated into a fight where Dominguez produced a derringer and fired one shot into the top of Calanche's head killing her instantly. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 10th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 03, 2015, Investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau arrested Andrew Parkin for distribution of private intimate photos also known as “Revenge Porn.” Parkin had made a fake Craigslist ad which included naked photos of his ex-girlfriend when she was 15 years old. Investigators became aware of the incident and were assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Parkin was later identified as the person who wrote the ad. Parkin was contacted and arrested for a misdemeanor section of distribution of private intimate photos. Parkin will be arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court on April 2, 2015. Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 255 into law in California on October 1, 2013. This new law makes revenge porn a misdemeanor under California’s disorderly conduct statute. The punishment is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine with additional fines for repeat violations. In January of 2015, SB 1255 was enacted which expanded the “Revenge Porn” law to include photos taken by the victim also known as “Selfies.” The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting victim(s) of Internet crimes. In today’s world of social media it is easy to become a victim of such crimes. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reminds parents to educate their children of the dangers and consequences of posting and sharing personal and private information with others. Nature of Incident: Arrest of “Revenge Porn” Suspect News Release Date: 03/09/2015 Approved by: Captain Melissa Smith / Major Crimes Bureau. 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, March 10th, 2015
LOS ANGELES – Attorney General Kamala Harris today announced that Valley Springs Manor owner Herminigilda Noveda Manuel and administrator Edgar Babael were charged on fourteen felony counts of elder abuse for abandoning the residents of their facility. Manuel and Babael operated Valley Springs Manor, a residential care facility for the elderly that was ordered closed in October 2013 after the Department of Social Services found multiple licensing violations. After the closure, paramedics arrived at the facility and found fourteen residents had been abandoned by the operators with no personnel to tend to their activities of daily living and medical needs. Both defendants are charged with fourteen felony counts and could face up to 17 years in state prison and a fine of up to $6,000 per count. This case arose from a joint investigation by the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (BMFEA) and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. Since taking office in 2011, Attorney General Harris has created specialized BMFEA teams in Sacramento and Los Angeles composed of legal and nursing professionals to combat abuse, neglect and poor quality of care in California’s nursing homes. A copy of the complaint submitted to the court is attached to the online version of this release at www.oag.ca.gov/news. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, March 10th, 2015
 Rodrigo Cruz, Oxnard, 32 On March 8, 2015, Headquarters patrol deputies responded to an audible alarm at the Red Wing Shoe Store. The deputies arrived within minutes of being dispatched and found a smashed window and Rodrigo Cruz inside. Evidence indicated Cruz had removed some merchandise from the store and had gone back inside to retrieve more. Cruz was arrested without incident. A representative of Red Wing Shoes responded and determined Cruz removed over $3,500.00 in merchandise from the store. The crime scene was processed and the merchandise returned to the business. Rodrigo Cruz was booked for commercial burglary at the Ventura County Main Jail. His bail was set at $20,000.00. Cruz will be arraigned on March 10, 2015 at 1:30 PM. Nature of Incident: Deputies Make Arrest During In-progress Commercial Burglary 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 10th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 5, 2015, at approximately 6:45 PM the Thousand Oaks Police Directed Enforcement Team was conducting proactive foot patrol on Warwick Avenue when the Ventura County Sheriff’s Communications Center broadcast a call of a robbery that had just occurred in the 800 Block of Warwick Ave. The Directed Enforcement Team responded and handled the initial investigation. The suspects, two juvenile males had fled the scene prior to the Directed Enforcement Team’s arrival. The investigation revealed the two juvenile suspects, both of whom are documented gang members in the City of Thousand Oaks, confronted the victim and demanded money from the victim. When the victim stated he had no money to give, the suspects began punching the victim in the face and body. While the victim was being beaten his baseball cap fell to the ground. One of the juvenile suspects picked up the victim’s baseball cap and both suspects then fled the area. The victim sustained minor injuries to his face On March 6, 2015, the Thousand Oaks Police Special Enforcement Unit continued the investigation of the robbery. The Special Enforcement Unit conducted additional interviews and eventually located the two suspects walking together on Warwick Avenue. Both suspects were arrested for 211 PC – Strong Armed Robbery, and 186.22 PC – Street Terrorism / Gang Step Act. The investigation also revealed that one of the juvenile suspects threatened the victim with additional violence if the victim called the police. The juvenile that made this threat was also arrested for 136.1 PC – Witness / Victim intimidation. Both juveniles were lodged into the Juvenile Justice Facility. Nature of Incident: Gang Related Robbery Arrests 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 District Attorneys Office — Wednesday, March 4th, 2015
VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that three former Gold Coast Transit employees have pled guilty to unlawfully taking cash from bus fare boxes. Antonio Maldonado Chavez (DOB 3/29/1963), of Ventura, pled guilty to two felony counts of misappropriation of public funds. Jorge Garibay Alvarado (DOB 1/4/1977), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one felony count of misappropriation of public funds. As bus maintenance workers, their job duties included transferring cash from the buses to the cash depository. Maldonado Chavez’s misappropriation totaled in excess of $6,000, and Garibay Alvarado’s misappropriation totaled in excess of $2,800. Maldonado Chavez’s and Garibay Alvarado’s sentencings are scheduled for April 6, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12. On February 10, 2015, former Gold Coast Transit mechanic Anthony David Cribbs (DOB 10/24/1970), of Camarillo, pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of petty theft, and was placed on 36 months probation including 5 days work release. Former mechanic Jonathan Trujillo (DOB 10/20/1969), of Oxnard, is charged with five counts of petty theft; he has continued his arraignment to March 25, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11. Gold Coast Transit is a publicly-funded joint powers agency providing bus service in western Ventura County. The agency discovered the conduct in March 2014 and promptly notified the District Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by the District Attorney’s Office with the assistance of Gold Coast Transit. |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015
VENTURA, California - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury has convicted Miguel Martinez (DOB: 12/15/92), of Oxnard, of first-degree murder and accessory after the fact. The charges arose from Martinez’s conduct on February 17, 2010, and February 19, 2010. On February 17, 2010, Martinez drove Jose Ochoa away from the Tokyo Spa in Oxnard knowing Ochoa had just committed a robbery. On February 19, 2010, Martinez drove Jose Ochoa and Gabriel Lopez to the A-1 Spa in Oxnard to commit a robbery. Ochoa and Lopez entered the business while Martinez waited in the vehicle. During the attempted commission of the robbery, Ochoa struggled with the business owner, Sun Cha Kays. Ochoa shot and killed Kays. Sentencing for Martinez is scheduled March 30, 2015, in courtroom 44 at 8:30 a.m. of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. Martinez faces a maximum sentence of 28 years to life in prison. |
