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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 5-19-10 at about 1:30 p.m., Thousand Oaks patrol deputies responded to a call of a robbery that had just occurred in the 2800 block of North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks. Once deputies arrived, they learned that a male juvenile had approached two adults who were filling up their vehicle with gasoline. The juvenile simulated a handgun and demanded that the two adults give him their money. After taking the money from the two adults at the gas station, the juvenile went to a second location in the same area, and there contacted another male adult who was sitting in his vehicle. The juvenile again simulated a handgun and demanded money from that adult. After taking the money from the adult, the juvenile ran away. None of the victims were injured during the robberies. The male juvenile was later identified from a video surveillance recording, then located at his residence and taken into custody. The juvenile was subsequently booked and is currently being held at the Ventura County Juvenile Hall facility on three counts of 211 P.C.-Robbery. RB#: 10-12016 Location: 2800 Block of North Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA. Date & Time: May 19, 2010 / 1:30 p.m. Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Patrol & East County Detectives Suspect City of residence Age Officer Preparing Release: Detective Allen Devers Follow-up Contact: Detective Allen Devers (805) 494-8222 Date of Release: May 24, 2010 Approved By: Capt. Bruce Watlington |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Thousand Oaks Police Department detectives arrested two juveniles for three separate residential burglaries in Newbury Park. Three homes had been burglarized during a three-week period in Newbury Park. A handgun, miscellaneous jewelry, US currency and electronic equipment were stolen during the burglaries. Through the investigation, detectives developed information about two juveniles who were possibly involved in the burglaries. A search of the juveniles’ homes revealed some of the property, which had been stolen during the burglaries, that included a handgun, ammunition, and sentimental jewelry, including a deceased father’s wedding ring. Both juveniles were arrested for three counts of residential burglary and released to their parents. During the interviews of the suspects, they explained how they targeted houses where no one appeared to be home. They would knock on the front door, and when they did not receive an answer, they would go into the backyard and enter the residence through an unlocked door or window. Investigators would like to remind residents to lock and secure all doors and windows to their houses to avoid being victims of this type of criminal activity. Please report any suspicious activity to the Police Department. Location: Various Locations in Newbury Park Date & Time/ RB#: May 11,2010 @ 5:30PM / RB#10-9619, 10-10443, 10-11231 Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department / Investigations Unit (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age Officer Preparing Release: Detective Mike McConville Follow-up Contact: Detective Mike McConville (805)494-8219 Date of Release: May 24, 2010 |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department A 22-year-old Thousand Oaks resident was severely beaten Saturday evening during a gang assault that began at a gas station and ended with the victim being attacked near a busy intersection. Juan Huertas had gone to the USA Gas Station on Janss Road, when at least seven young men attacked him. The suspects punched, kicked and struck Huertas repeatedly with a metal pipe. Huertas tried to get away from the attackers, but they chased him and continued beating him while he was on the ground in one of the traffic lanes of Janss Road near the intersection of Moorpark Road. Huertas was literally beaten until he lost consciousness. He suffered a concussion, as well as numerous bruises and cuts. He was taken by ambulance to Los Robles Hospital for treatment. An alert citizen followed the suspects as they left the area in a Chevrolet Suburban. The citizen contacted the Thousand Oaks Police Department and directed deputies to the vehicle, which deputies stopped in the area of Erbes Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The three adult suspects were booked at the East County Jail in Thousand Oaks, while all four juvenile suspects were booked at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard. All seven suspects remain in custody on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and committing a crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang. Anyone who was in the area at the time and has information about this incident is asked to call Detective Jon Smith at (805)494-8216. 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). Location: USA Gas Station 1600 block of North Moorpark Road (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age Officer Preparing Release: Detective Eric Buschow Follow-up Contact: Detective Eric Buschow (805)494-8226 / (805)947-8129 Date of Release: May 24, 2010 Approved By: Capt. Bruce Watlington |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
On Saturday, May 22, 2010, at approximately 11:15 p.m. Santa Paula Police Officers were investigating a disturbance at a restaurant in the 900 blk. of E. Main St. While the officers were contacting several subjects in the rear alleyway, unknown gunmen fired several bullets at police officers and the subjects being contacted. Several officers and citizens at the scene were nearly hit by the gunfire. Several residential neighborhoods were contained, and a response from multiple Ventura County law enforcement agencies occurred. Officers spent the early morning hours conducting an extensive search for the gunmen, utilizing SWAT team members, canine units, and a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter. The gunmen were not located within the perimeter. This shooting does not appear to be associated with the initial disturbance call at the restaurant. Investigators remained at the scene throughout Sunday. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Santa Paula Police Department Investigations Unit, Sergeant Ismael Cordero at (805) 525-4474 Ext. 220 Ryan Smith # 1021 |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Seat Belt Ticket Increases to $142
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Thousand Oaks, Calif. – If you’re planning to hit the road for a late spring or early summer getaway, be sure that everyone in the car wears their seat belt on every trip, day and night. Law enforcement throughout the state, including Thousand Oaks Police Department will be looking for unbelted drivers and passengers as part of the 2010 Click It or Ticket mobilization, May 24 – June 6. This year, fines and fees have increased from $132 to $142 for first time adult seat belt violations. For children under 16, the fine is now $445 for a first time offense. “Keep your friends and family safe by buckling up no matter where you’re going,” said Police Chief Jeff Matson. “We will be looking for motorists throughout the area who are not buckling up, day and night. It’s not just about avoiding a ticket; it’s about keeping the ones you care about alive.” Seat belt violators will receive citations – no warnings. The Click It or Ticket campaign relies on heavy enforcement and public education as a means to help save lives on California’s roadways. “Wearing a seat belt is just simply the easiest and most effective thing you can do on the road to protect yourself and your family,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “That means buckling up day and night, on every trip.” More than 600 permanent Click It or Ticket highway signs, which have been up since 2005, will be updated to reflect the new ‘Minimum $142’ in the coming months. Currently California has a seat belt usage rate of 95.3 percent, but that still means over half a million people are not buckling up. Properly restrained drivers, passengers and children have a 50 percent better chance of surviving a crash than unbelted occupants. Those ejected from vehicles in crashes or roll-overs are up to 35 times more likely to die than restrained occupants. More than 150 local law enforcement agencies statewide and the CHP will be participating in this year’s Click It or Ticket mobilization. Funding to support California’s Click It or Ticket campaign was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. |
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By California Highway Patrol — Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
 California Highway Patrol On 5/18/2010 at 8:00 am a fatal traffic collision involving two vehicles occurred on Pleasant Valley Rd. near Laguna Rd. Arturo Cervantes, age 43 of Oxnard, was driving a 1990 Ford water tank truck northbound on Pleasant Valley Rd. near Laguna Rd. Cervantes had two passengers; Leonardo Guzman, age 25 of Oxnard, and Juan Ambriz, age 20 also of Oxnard. Alejandro Gonzales Espinoza, age 22 of Camarillo, was driving a 1994 Toyota Camry southbound on Pleasant Valley Rd. near Laguna Rd. Espinoza's passenger was his father Bernardo Gonzales Alfaro, age 55 of Oxnard. Cervantes was traveling northbound behind a large farm truck and two other vehicles. The farm truck slowed to a stop to make a left turn into a farm adjacent to Pleasant Valley Rd. The two vehicles behind the farm truck also slowed to a stop. Cervantes approached the vehicles from behind and suddenly saw they were stopping ahead of him. He applied his brakes and realized he would not be able to stop in time to avoid collision with the vehicle directly ahead of him. Cervantes steered left causing his vehicle to cross over the double yellow lines into the opposing southbound lane directly into the path of Espinoza's vehicle. Espinoza's vehicle struck the right side of Cervantes' truck. Both vehicles veered off the road into a ditch. Cervantes' truck ended up on top of the front portion of Espinoza's vehicle in the ditch. Cervantes was not injured in the collision. His passengers, Guzman and Ambriz, suffered minor injuries consisting of complaints of pain. They were not transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. Espinoza was pronounced deceased at the scene by Ventura County Fire Department personnel. His father, Alfaro, sustained head, facial and internal injuries. Alfaro also suffered a broken arm. He was transported by ambulance to St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. At time of the collision, the roadway was wet due to light rain. Pleasant Valley Rd. was closed between Laguna and Wolff Rds. until 12:10 pm due the collision. The collision is still under investigation. |
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By California Highway Patrol — Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
California Highway Patrol On 5/18/2010 at 7:40 am a fatal traffic collision involving three vehicles occurred on southbound US-101 south of Arneil Rd. Jesus Ledesma, age 27 of Fontana, was driving a big rig truck (truck tractor/trailer combination) south on US-101 in the #3 lane near Arneil Rd. Priscilla Jewell, age 53 of Camarillo, was driving a 2003 Lincoln Towncar as she was entering southbound US-101 from the Ventura Blvd. (Lewis Rd.) onramp. Jewell lost control of her vehicle as it swerved left from the onramp across the southbound lanes on US-101 directly into the path of Ledesma's truck. Ledesma applied his brakes and steered left in an attempt to avoid a collision with the Lincoln. Ledesma's truck collided with the driver side of the Lincoln and pushed it into the center divider where it struck a concrete wall. Jorge Rodriguez, age 51 of Simi Valley, was driving a 2002 Toyota Echo south on US-101 in the #2 lane. Rodriguez saw Ledesma's truck swerving left towards him and attempted to take evasive action. He applied his brakes and steered left but could not avoid a collision Ledesma's truck. The front end of Rodriguez's vehicle struck the left front side of Ledesma's truck. Jewell was pronounced deceased at the scene by Ventura County Fire Department personnel. Neither Ledesma nor Rodriguez was injured in the collision. The #1 and #2 lanes on southbound US-101 south of Arneil Rd. were closed until 10:40 am due to the collision. At the time of the collision, the roadway was wet due to light rain. All three drivers were wearing their seatbelt when the collision occurred. The collision is still under investigation. |
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By California Highway Patrol — Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
California Highway Patrol On 05/17/2010, at about 9:50 pm, Ventura Area CHP officers were involved in a vehicle pursuit of a hit and run suspect from Santa Barbara County. The pursuit traveled southbound on US-101 through Ventura County. The pursuit eventually ended on southbound US-101 in the Camarillo area. At about 9:25 pm Santa Barbara CHP area officers became involved the pursuit on blue Honda Accord traveling south on US-101 near Olive Mill St. The Honda was reportedly involved in several hit and run collisions on the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus. The pursuit traveled southbound through the Santa Barbara area and eventually entered Ventura County. Ventura Area CHP units took over the pursuit as it traveled southbound on US-101 at speeds between 45-80 mph in light traffic conditions. The spike strip was eventually deployed in an effort to end the pursuit. The Honda ran over the spike strip deflating the left side tires. The Honda pulled over to the right shoulder near SR-33. As the CHP officers got out of their patrol vehicles to conduct a felony traffic stop, the Honda accelerated off the right shoulder and continued traveling southbound on US-101. The Honda traveled at speeds between 50-75 mph in light traffic conditions. The Honda traveled southbound on US-101 into the Camarillo area. The Honda was now traveling on two rims which were causing sparks from the roadway. The Honda became completely disabled and stopped in the # 1 lane near Dawson Dr. A felony stop was initiated and officers used the patrol vehicle's public address system to order the driver to turn off the engine. The driver failed to comply with the officers and continued to race the engine in attempt to flee the scene. This caused large amount of smoke to come from the Honda. Officers eventually approached the vehicle and verbally directed the driver to turn off the engine. The driver continued to race the engine while doors of the Honda remained locked. Due to the driver's failure to comply with directions, an officer used his collapsible baton and broke out the driver side window. After the window was broken, officers were able to turn off the engine. The driver Karen Ann Corbin, age 60 of Santa Barbara, got out of the vehicle and was taken into custody with no further incident. Corbin was booked into the Ventura County Jail for evading arrest, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor hit and run. Corbin had two dogs in the vehicle. The dogs were taken to the Ventura County Animal Control facility at the Camarillo Airport. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Two armed men wearing ski masks stormed inside a Thousand Oaks bank Tuesday morning, leaving with an undisclosed amount of cash. One of the suspects used his handgun to strike an employee on the back of her head, causing a minor injury. Paramedics treated the employee at the scene. The suspect had told the teller she wasn’t moving fast enough when she was ordered to walk to the vault. The two suspects left the area in a white sedan. Deputies arrived on scene quickly, but were unable to locate the suspects or their vehicle. Witnesses described the first suspect as a black male, approximately 5’10” to 5’11” and weighing 185-190 pounds, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, gray ski mask, gray sweat pants, and white tennis shoes. The second suspect was described as a black male, approximately 5’7” to 5’9” with a medium build, wearing a dark sweatshirt, gray ski mask, and dark pants. Both suspects appeared to be in their 20’s or 30’s. Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call Detective Jon Smith at (805)494-8216, or Special Agent Patrick Conley of the Ventura FBI office at (805)642-3995. 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). Location: First California Bank 11 E. Hillcrest Dr. Thousand Oaks Date & Time/ RB#: May 18, 2010 @ 10:35 a.m. / 10-11897 Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Major Crimes Unit Officer Preparing Release: Detective Eric Buschow Follow-up Contact: Detective Eric Buschow (805)494-8226 / (805)947-8129 Date of Release: May 18, 2010 Approved By: Captain Bruce Watlington |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Ventura County Sheriff ‘s deputies responded to a disturbance call in the 3600 block of Dufau Road. Upon arrival they observed a large wedding party with several hundred guests in attendance and an additional disturbance located next door to the wedding. While deputies were investigating the additional disturbance next door to the wedding, they were told that a fight had broken out at the wedding location. Deputies responded to the fight and found several hundred partygoers leaving the area. Deputies located three stabbing victims at the scene. Witnesses at the wedding provided deputies with the suspect’s description. Deputies provided medical attention to the victims while broadcasting the suspect’s description to the responding units. County Fire and Ambulance arrived and transported all three victims to local area hospitals. Deputies responding to the scene, located and detained the suspect, Francisco Santos, who was fleeing the area in a dark colored S.U.V. Witnesses identified Santos as the suspect and he was arrested for the above listed charges. Santos was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail without incident. All three victims were admitted to local area Hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit at 805-477-7000. Location: 3655 Dufau Rd. Oxnard, Ca. Date & Time/ RB#: 05/16/2010 / 2230 Hrs. / 10-011707 Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age Suspect- Francisco Santos Oxnard 32 Years Victim- Octavio Gomez Oxnard 24 Years Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Joe Evans Follow-up Contact: Sergeant Joe Evans 805-477-7000 Date of Release: 05/17/2010 Approved By: Captain Rick Barrios, Major Crimes Bureau |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 05/15/10 the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, members of the High Tech Task Force, along with agents from State Parole conducted a sex registrant 290 PC compliance sweep involving 62 registered sex offenders in the city of Camarillo. Section 290 of the California Penal Code requires persons convicted of specified Sexual Assault cases to register with the agency where they reside. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting these sweeps randomly throughout the county. Among other reasons, these checks are conducted to verify that the locations where sex registrants state they reside are accurate. Additionally, probation and/or parole searches are also conducted when appropriate. As a result of the sweep, one parolee, William Inscoe, was arrested for an unrelated violation of his parole terms. Inscoe was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. A second subject was found to be in violation of the registration process. An investigation into that violation(s) is continuing. With the exception of the potential registration and parole violation, no other significant events occurred. Location: City of Camarillo Officer Preparing Release: Sgt. Tim Waite |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, May 17th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Deputy Nora Soler is a twenty-two year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department with the last 12 years working as a deputy sheriff. Nora’s peers and supervisors selected her as the 2010 Camarillo Police Department’s Kiwanis Officer of the Year. Nora has been assigned to the Camarillo Police Department Substation since February of 2001. Her supervisors noted Nora’s work ethic and compassion for the victims she contacts on several occasions. During her patrol assignment in Camarillo, Nora worked as a traffic investigator, Field Training Officer, and is a member of our Tactical Negotiation Unit. Her communication skills were put to the test when she was able to calm a suicidal subject who was threatening to jump off an upper deck of his housing area in a Detention Facility. Deputy Soler was able to convince him to move to a safe location where he was then treated by jail staff. As the captain at the Camarillo Station, I am very proud to have such a dedicated and team oriented employee within our ranks. Nora is a role model for all employees and continually strives to improve upon her skills on a daily basis. Some of the comments her supervisors shared with me regarding Nora’s performance were that she is dedicated, trustworthy, approachable, and a great example to the community we serve. Nora continued her education after she became a deputy sheriff, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2007. The combined Kiwanis Clubs of Ventura County will be hosting a dinner banquet at the Ventura Four Points Sheraton on May 28, 2010 to honor officers throughout Ventura County for this prestigious award. Location: Camarillo Police Department Officer Preparing Release: Captain Monica McGrath |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, May 17th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department During the first week of May two businesses in the downtown area of Ojai were vandalized with red spray paint. The vandalism included the moniker of the “tagger.” During the investigation, Deputy Gunnar Dike recognized the moniker as that of a subject he knew from prior criminal contact. Deputy Dike conducted a probation search and located evidence linking Sangster to both vandalisms. Sangster was arrested without incident for 2 counts of misdemeanor vandalism and was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Location: 200 Block of Bryant Street and 300 Block East Ojai Avenue, Ojai Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Maureen Hookstra |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, May 17th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On the afternoon of 05-13-10, at about 4:30 p.m., Moorpark patrol deputies were sent to a call of a male subject who was attempting to purchase multiple gift cards and/or merchandise at a retail store in the Moorpark Marketplace mall. The subject had used several credit cards with different names to complete these transactions. Deputies subsequently contacted two persons in the mall’s parking lot associated with the call. These persons were later identified as Mario Almaguer-Lopez and Miguel Gomez, both from Los Angeles. Upon further investigation at the scene, Almaguer-Lopez and Gomez were found in possession of numerous access cards whose magnetic strips were re-encoded with access card account information belonging to other persons. In addition, deputies found receipts for the store and items purchased at the store. These items were determined to have been purchased at the store with the re-encoded access cards that the suspects had in their possession. Almaguer-Lopez and Gomez both admitted to knowing the access cards were fraudulent. Both subjects were arrested at the scene. Almaguer-Lopez and Gomez were later brought to the Ventura County Main Jail where they are waiting arraignment on the following charges: commercial burglary, identity theft, and conspiracy. In addition, Almaguer-Lopez was also arrested for false personation of another. Location: 800 block of Los Angeles Avenue, Moorpark, CA. Officer Preparing Release: Detective Ed Ilano |
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By Anonymous — Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services has ceased operation and testing of the Casitas Warning System, and released the system for disposal. The eleven-site system, and two control stations have been offered as surplus property, and will be sold by sealed bid. The sale is being administered by County Procurement Services. Bids will be received until 4:00 pm Tuesday, May 18th, 2010. Further information about the system and sale may be found at: http://gsa.countyofventura.org . The successful bidder will be required to obtain all necessary permits to remove the system, and restore each site to it’s original condition. The system, originally installed in 1999 during the seismic retrofit of the Casitas Dam, has been superseded by the modernized Emergency Alert System, the Reverse 911® and Code Red® Telenotification Systems installed by the County and City of Ventura. In addition, maps and evacuation information may be found on the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services website: http://www.vcsd.org/oes . Date & Time: May 11, 2010 Release Prepared by: Dale Carnathan, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-5152 |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
Reverend Al Sharpton Dear Reverend Sharpton: I have read about you with much interest since learning of the protest you plan to lead against me in Maricopa County in June as a way to force my resignation or removal from office. Your public proclamation leads me to the conclusion: not only do you not understand Arizona; you also do not understand democracy. As the elected Sheriff who, so far has been elected to five consecutive four-year terms, I answer to the four million residents of Maricopa County. I do not answer to the whims of the media, or locally and nationally elected officials who want open borders and who have their own agendas. Nor do I answer to a publicity hound outside interloper who has demonstrated no interest in looking for the truth before making loud uninformed noises. While your public outcries are colorful, there are several instances where you have inserted yourself into other people's affairs without knowing any of the facts. Poor judgment has caused you plenty of trouble in the past and promises to do so again. Most earnest people want to learn by their mistakes. You seem to glory in repeating them. I would like to help you avoid further embarrassment by assisting in your understanding of the illegal immigration problem here in my county. When and if you do make the trip here, I invite you to call me to talk about these false allegations. We can discuss how my deputies are extensively trained by the federal government to properly combat illegal immigration and how the laws of this state allow this Sheriff's Office to question and investigate the immigration status of those people deputies detain in the course of our everyday law enforcement duties. Don't make the same mistake made by the four Democratic Congressmen calling for a U.S. Department of Justice investigation of this office. They and other politicians relied solely on media reports and anti-law enforcement handouts that are replete with inaccuracies. They have brainwashed a handful of local residents to believe these lies. Rest assured that the men and women of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office do not racially profile anyone. However, we do enforce the state and federal illegal immigration laws. And we will continue to do so as long as these laws are on the books. You can parachute into town, stomp your feet up and down and hold more press conferences against me -- that is a hallmark of democracy too -- but you will not stop me, nor slow me down for one second, from doing what is right. Before you bring your circus to town and take to our streets by marching against this Sheriff, let's get you fully informed for a change. Congressman John Conyers did not have the courtesy to respond to my invitation to visit with me personally. I hope you will consider my invitation. Surely, a man like yourself -- a reverend -- who famously preaches from the church pulpit understands the infinite wisdome of these words: You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Let's talk about the truth, Reverend. I await your response. Sincerely, (signature) Joe Arpaio |
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By California Highway Patrol — Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
California Highway Patrol On May 10, 2010 at about 11:40 am, a major injury traffic collision involving four vehicles occurred on northbound US-101 south of State Beaches. Lonnie Pendleton, age 53 of New Braunfels Texas, was driving a big rig truck (truck tractor/trailer combination) northbound on US-101 in the #2 lane south of State Beaches. Mark Powell, age 36 of Santa Maria, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe and was stopped in heavy traffic in the #2 lane on northbound US-101 south of State Beaches. Carlos Figueroa, age 44 of Santa Barbara, was stopped in his 1995 Geo Metro directly ahead of Powell’s vehicle. Dean Gordon, age 48 of Buellton, was driving a white Chevrolet flatbed tow truck and was stopped in the #1 lane ahead of Figueroa’s vehicle. Traffic was backed up in the area due to a lane closure as construction crews were repairing a large hole in the roadway on northbound US-101 north of State Beaches. As Pendleton traveled northbound on US-101 in the #2 lane, he suddenly traffic stopped ahead of him. He applied his brakes but could not stop in time to avoid a collision. The front end of Pendleton’s big rig truck struck the rear end of Powell’s vehicle. The force of that collision pushed Powell’s vehicle forward and it struck the rear end of Figueroa’s vehicle. Powell’s vehicle then veered left and struck the rear end of Gordon’s tow truck. Pendleton and Gordon were not injured in the collision. Powell sustained facial abrasions and a broken tooth in the collision. Powell’s wife, Stacie age 33, complained of neck and back pain from the collision. The Powell’s two children, a two year old daughter and a 10 month old son, were both secured in car seats in the rear seat. The Powell’s son suffered a chest contusion and their daughter sustained facial contusions and possible foot fracture as a result of the collision. The Powell’s were taken by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center. Stacie Powell and both children were admitted to the hospital for observation. Figueroa and his passenger, Sandra Petatan age 28 of Santa Barbara, both complained of neck and back pain from the collision. They were taken by ambulance to Community Memorial hospital. The collision is still under investigation. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department A 48-year old inmate was found hanging in his cell at approximately 8:30 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Todd Road Jail Facility near Santa Paula. Deputies and jail medical personnel immediately initiated Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and were able to establish a pulse. The Fire Department and Paramedics arrived quickly at the jail and transported the inmate to Santa Paula Hospital where he was placed on life support. After consulting with doctors, Vizuete’s family ultimately agreed to remove him from life support today at approximately 9:50 A.M. Deputies conduct frequent and regular checks of each cell in the jail; deputies had checked on the area housing Mr. Vizuete approximately 30 minutes prior to this incident and noted nothing unusual. Vizuete was arrested and booked by the Oxnard Police Department for Disobeying a Domestic Relations Court Order and Failure to register as a Sex Offender on January 18, 2010. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit responded to the jail and is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the inmate’s death. The preliminary investigation indicates that foul play is not suspected. RB#: 10-10521 Officer Preparing Release: Captain Jerry Hernandez |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, May 3rd, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On October 9, 2009, at approximately 2:10 a.m. a California Highway Patrol officer observed a vehicle exiting the northbound 101 freeway at Camarillo Springs Road and fail to stop for a stop sign. When the vehicle was stopped a hysterical female exited the vehicle and ran toward the officers. The driver of the vehicle, Maximo Tamayo-Flores, sped off. After a short pursuit, the driver crashed through a guard rail on Adohr Lane and was taken into custody for evading arrest. Tamayo-Flores was later arrested for assault with a deadly weapon for injuries sustained by one of the California Highway Patrol officers. During the afternoon of 10/10/09, a subject walking along the Pacific Coast Highway between Faria Beach and Solimar Beach discovered the body of Ramon Quintero. The autopsy of Ramon Quintero determined that he died from a single gunshot wound. The case was ruled a homicide. With the assistance of the Ventura County Forensic Services Bureau, the investigation continued. Along with the eye-witness statement, Maximo Tamayo-Flores was linked to the homicide via DNA evidence. Today, 4/30/2010 at approximately 1130 hours, the Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau arrested Maximo Tamayo-Flores for the murder of Ramon Quintero. Tamayo-Flores will continue to be held at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility with a bail of $500,000. 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). Location: Pre-Trial Detention Facility, Ventura Officer Preparing Release: Sr. Dep. Dan Hawes |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, May 3rd, 2010
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On Saturday, May 1, at about 9:50 a.m., the Sheriff’s Department received a call of three male suspects jumping a fence to enter the school grounds. Patrol deputies from the Camarillo Station arrived at the school within minutes and established a perimeter around the school. The suspects fled the area on foot, running in different directions. After brief foot pursuits, patrol deputies apprehended two of the suspects, both 17-year-old males from Camarillo. A helicopter from the Sheriff’s Air Unit and a K-9 were called in to assist with the search for the third suspect. The area residents were notified about the incident via Reverse 911. An extensive search failed to locate the third suspect. It was determined the suspects burglarized two classrooms at the school. The stolen property from the school was recovered. During the investigation, the third suspect who avoided capture was identified as a 17-year-old male from Camarillo. Deputies assigned to the Special Enforcement Detail at the Camarillo Station located the suspect at his residence and arrested him. All 3 suspects were booked for burglary at Juvenile Hall. Location: El Descanso Elementary School, 1099 Bedford Drive, Camarillo Officer Preparing Release: Detective Scott Peterson, Camarillo Station |
