Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 6480 Katherine Road., Simi Valley, CA.
Date & Time/ RB#: April 7, 2010 @ 5:50 p.m. / 10-8199
Unit Responsible: Moorpark Investigations

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
(S) Christopher Guitner Simi Valley 45

On the evening of 04/02/10, at about 6:30 p.m., the victim ordered a pizza from a local establishment in the City of Moorpark. When the delivery person arrived at the house, the victim used their debit card to purchase the pizza. The delivery person made an imprint of the debit card, provided the victim with a copy of the receipt and then left the location.

On the morning of 04/06/10, at about 7:00 a.m., the victim checked their online bank account statement and discovered the original charge had posted at a higher amount. They also discovered several other unauthorized transactions. The victim suspected the delivery person because he had inquired about the security number on the back of the debit card. The victim called and reported the incident to the Moorpark Police Department.

Moorpark Police investigators identified the pizza delivery driver as Christopher Guitner and contacted him at his residence. During the investigation, deputies found several pieces of paper with credit card numbers written on them that did not belong to Christopher Guitner. The credit card numbers were found in his bedroom and vehicle. The subsequent investigation also revealed additional victims.

Guitner was subsequently arrested on four counts of 530.5 PC – Identity Theft, and 11550(a) H&S – Under the influence of a controlled substance. He was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facilty in Ventura awaiting arraignment.

Officer Preparing Release: Detective Scott Hardy

Follow-up Contact: Detective Scott Hardy (805) 532-2715

Date of Release: April 9, 2010

Approved By: Captain D. Murray #2721

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On April 15, 2010, the National Weather Service will be conducting a Weather Spotter Training and Recruitment Talk. The training session will be held in the Hall of Administration Lower Plaza Assembly Room at the Ventura County Government Center at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura, California. The spotter talk will begin at 6:30 PM and last to approximately 8:00 PM.

As part of the National Weather Service StormReady certification process, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and the City of Oxnard Fire Department will be the co-hosts of this local Weather Spotter Training event.

“The County of Ventura and the City of Oxnard are enhancing their jurisdictions abilities to receive and disseminate storm related information from the National Weather Service,” said Erin Edinger, Alert and Warning Coordinator for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

To be recognized as StormReady, a community must: establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public; create a system that monitors local weather conditions; promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and develop a formal all-hazards plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

The National Weather Service Spotter Program is CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The city of Thousand Oaks and the Thousand Oaks Police Department have a mutual interest with the community in ensuring that children reach their scholastic and personal growth potential. In today’s society, children have several obstacles, bad influences, and distractions. Raising children is not easy. Children sometimes engage in harmful behaviors fueled by negative influences including alcohol, gangs, and peer pressure.

In furtherance of our commitment to the community, the Thousand Oaks Police Department will be offering a parenting class on Wednesdays for ten weeks starting on April 14. Parents with difficult, defiant, or problematic children are encouraged to attend. Our goal is to give parents guidance and to develop more successful children. We are excited to offer these sessions and truly wish to support parents and offer strategies to deal with difficult children.

The course content consists of ways to address drugs, sex, gangs, poor grades, running away and violence. Additional content includes guidance in gaining children’s compliance of house rules, how to never argue with your child again, and how to use other parents for support. Additional information can be reviewed at www.parentproject.com. This course is for Thousand Oaks residents only and is subject to enrollment. Senior Deputies Dennis Sliva and Jim DeSoto of the Thousand Oaks Police Department will be the facilitators. Interested parents are asked to call either Senior Deputy Sliva or DeSoto for further information.
Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Jim DeSoto

Location: Thousand Oaks CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

03/10/10
Search Warrant
300 Block Clay St.
600 block Lemon Way
Theft Other
600 Block Ventura St.
Vandalism
500 Block A St.
Battery
900 Block Sespe Ave.
03/11/10
Vandalism
500 Block Central ave.
Theft Other
500 Block Central Ave.
Forgery
700 Block Ventura St.
Theft Vehicle
200 Block Olive St.03/12/10 CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The thief knew exactly what he was doing when he entered the Ben Bridge Jewelry store in the Oaks Mall. He sat down next to the Rolex display and waited patiently for an employee to help him. The man already wore what appeared to be a Rolex watch on his wrist.

When an employee offered to help him, the man asked to see a similar watch from inside the display case. The employee put the watch on a pad for the man to examine it. The man removed his own watch and placed it next to the new one. In an instant, the man was gone, along with both of the watches. The man sprinted toward the nearby exit as employees chased him.

The thief made his escape, and has not yet been identified. He is described as a white male, approximately 18-25 years old, 5’7” to 5’11” weighing between 150-180 lbs. He had brown hair with a military-style haircut. He wore a bright yellow polo shirt with stripes, dark jeans and dark shoes.

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: Ben Bridge Jewelers 450 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, Ca.
Date & Time/ RB#: Mar. 22, 2010 @ 4:37 p.m. / 10-6944
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Investigations Bureau

Officer Preparing Release: Detective Eric Buschow
Follow-up Contact: Detective Eric Buschow (805)494-8226 / (805)947-8129
Date of Release: Apr. 6, 2010
Approved By: Captain Bruce Watlington

On Saturday April 3, 2010 at approximately 11:23pm Officer Green conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by a subject identified as Christopher Delarosa, age 22 years of Ventura. A records search revealed Delarosa was on probation for possession of graffiti tools. A search of vehicle was conducted which revealed five cans of spray paint, four markers, and ten spray paint can tips. Also found were numerous clothing items identifying him as belonging to a well known and documented tagging crew.

Also located in the center console area was a plastic bag containing 5, .380 caliber bullets. A further search of the vehicle revealed a loaded .380 handgun concealed behind the dash area of the vehicle. A records check of the weapon determined that it was stolen out of the city of Los Angeles. Delarosa was arrested on the following charges: possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a loaded firearm, possession of stolen property, and possession of graffiti tools.

After being processed at Santa Paula PD Delarosa was transported to Ventura County Jail. Delarosa’s bail was set at $50,00 however a request was submitted to have his bail increased to no bail.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

An elementary school aged female was riding her scooter in the area of Ascot Place and Palmer Avenue when she rode by an unknown male (see above) sitting in a parked vehicle (see above) with the passenger door open. As she rode past the car the unknown male held up a camera, as if to take a picture, and asked her to “smile.” The man then took her picture with out her permission. After taking the picture the male left the area. The girl immediately went home and reported the incident to her parents who then called the Sheriff’s Department. This is the only report of this type of incident at this time.

Anyone having information concerning this matter, or if you took the photograph, please call Detective Peterson at the Camarillo Police Department, 388-5100.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information that 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 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or WebTip at www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org, or Text "tip375" plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

Location: Area of Ascot Place and Palmer Avenue, Camarillo
Date & Time: April 2, 2010, between 1:30 and 1:45 pm
Unit Responsible: Camarillo Detectives

Possible Suspect
(S) White male, approximately 18 years old, thin build, approximately 6’2” , with short blonde or light brown “spiky” hair, wearing a green or yellow T-Shirt with an emblem of a circle with a palm tree on the front.

Possible Suspect Vehicle: Newer, silver, 4-door, passenger car with silver rims.

Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Julie Novak (P.I.O.)

Follow-up Contact: Senior Deputy Julie Novak (P.I.O.) 947-6648

Approved By: Captain McGrath, Camarillo Police Department

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Moorpark Police Department conducted “Operation Hang-Up” during the month of March. During the operation, which focused on maximum enforcement of laws related to the use of cell phones while driving, deputies assigned to the Moorpark Police Department issued 293 citations to motorists for the illegal use of cell phones while driving and for text messaging while driving. In addition, deputies issued 148 citations to drivers of vehicles with illegally tinted windows.

The Vehicle Code prohibits a driver from using a cell phone while operating a vehicle on a roadway unless the cell phone is equipped with a hands-free feature; and from text messaging while driving. The law also prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while driving, whether or not the phone is equipped with a hands-free feature.

Talking on a cell phone held to the ear, or text messaging, are distractions that take away from a person’s attention to their driving. The use of cell phones by drivers of motor vehicles contributes to scores of traffic collisions every year. Many of those collisions have resulted in injuries that could have been avoided if the drivers were paying attention to their driving instead of their cell phone or text conversations.

During the month of March, deputies responded to CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 4/2/2010, at approximately 1145 hours, deputies responded to an injury accident at A Street and River Street and a hit and run accident at Santa Fe Street and Surrey Way. It was determined that the suspect in the hit and run accident, John Wilson, was also involved in the injury accident.

Witnesses stated Wilson had collided with a parked vehicle on Santa Fe Street and left the scene without exchanging information. He then collided with the rear of an occupied vehicle at the intersection of A Street and River Street. There was minor injury to the driver and a 3 year old passenger.

Deputies contacted Wilson at A Street and River Street. Wilson was arrested and booked for 23152 (a) CVC-driving under the influence, 23153(a) CVC, driving under the influence and causing injury, and 20002(a) CVC- hit and run. The injured parties were transported to Santa Paula E.R. by ambulance.

RB#: 10-7895

Location: A Street @ River Street & CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department has launched a new website (same Internet address: www.vcsd.org) that is designed to be more interactive with frequently updated content and accomplished, in part, through the use of popular social networking mediums such as YouTube, Twitter, and Nixle.

New features include an embedded YouTube window on the home page along with a Nixle/Twitter Newswire, scrolling photo gallery, and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) display. The Nixle/Twitter Newswire displays press releases and other important department communication. These same messages are capable of being pushed to smart phones and other hand-held mobile devices to individuals who register with those services. The CAD display refreshes every 60 seconds and allows anyone to view the majority of patrol activity occurring within the Sheriff’s jurisdiction while providing a short time delay for safety and security considerations.

The website also provides statistical crime data for the department’s jurisdictions and has many links to important resources such as inmate information, Crime Stoppers, and REVERSE 911®. The department intends to enhance the capabilities of the website over time and plans to add features in the future such as Crime/Arrest Logs and Google maps. Visitors to the website are encouraged to provide feedback, which will be used to aid in decision making for enhancements in the future. There is a link to the feedback page at the bottom of the homepage.

In conjunction with the launch of CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 19th, 2010, Detectives and Officers from the Santa Paula Police, with the assistance of Unites States Federal Agents, conducted a parole search in the 700 block of Fillmore St., Santa Paula, regarding a delivery of false documents made to the address.

The delivery contained over $845,000 in fraudulent checks from Nigeria. During the search, officials discovered additional packaging containing over $640,000 in the same fraudulent checks. Also discovered was packaging similar to the afore mentioned deliveries, which had contained a similar amount of checks from Nigeria.

Additional evidence was obtained in the search leading to the arrest of Cathy Pye 43 years of age, and a resident of Santa Paula. Pye admitted to receiving the checks and forwarding the checks to individuals across the United States. The approximate total loss to victims is $1,500,000.

In her statement to detectives, Pye said she took $170,000 worth of the checks to a location in Los Angeles County. Those checks were recovered as part of this investigation. Pye was booked at Ventura County Jail for “Possession and Passing of Fraudulent Checks”, and is currently in custody with a set bail of $750,000.

Please forward all inquires to Det. Sgt. Ismael Cordero or Det. Daniel Kiernan at (805) 525-4474, Ext. 116.

R.M. Smith # 1021
Police Sergeant

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 29, 2010, as the T-Mobile store in Camarillo was preparing to close, two men dressed all in black, wearing ski masks, and armed with hand guns entered the store.

The suspects ordered the two employees to the back of the store where they were ordered to open a locked safe and storage room. Once the employees complied with the suspect’s demands, they were ordered to lie on the floor and their hands were tied behind their backs.

The suspects then removed money from the safe and a variety of new cellular telephones. The suspects fled out the back door of the business.

Anyone with information related to this robbery is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Major Crimes unit at 805-477-7000.

Location: T- Mobile Store, 415 W. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo CA.
Date & Time: March 29, 2010, 8:00 p.m.
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes

Deputy Preparing Release: Sergeant S. Rhods

Follow-up Contact: Sergeant S. Rhods (805) 477-7000

Date and Time of Release: March 30, 2010

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).

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested three suspects for attempted murder after investigating a shooting that occurred last Sunday, March 21, 2010, in the community of Saticoy. The three are believed to belong to a local street gang.

On Sunday night, at about 10:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a call of a shooting victim in the 11000 block of Aster. When they arrived, they found a male victim suffering from a laceration to his ear. An investigation by the deputies found that as the victim and his girlfriend were sitting in a car, three or four males approached them. One of the males threw a rock through the driver’s window striking the victim in the head. Another male retrieved a handgun from his waist and fired two rounds into the car. One of the bullets struck the metal window pillar where the victim was seated. Neither round struck the victim. The male victim was transported to a local hospital where he received several stitches. The female passenger was unhurt.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit took over the investigation and was able to identify 25-year-old Christopher Cervantez as a possible suspect. They obtained a search warrant for Cervantez’ residence in the 11000 block of Violeta, Saticoy. On Wednesday, March 24, 2010, gang investigators served the search warrant at Cervantez’ residence. During the service of the search warrant, investigators contacted Cervantez and arrested him for attempted murder. A 17-year-old male was also at the residence during the search warrant and was detained for narcotic related offenses. During the investigation, the 17-year-old male was identified as a second suspect in the shooting and was arrested.

By Thursday morning, gang investigators had obtained enough evidence to link 20-year-old Jose Puga to the shooting. Puga had been arrested and booked into jail a day earlier by gang investigators after a routine stop found he was under the influence of methamphetamine. Puga was still in custody on Thursday morning. Gang investigators arrested Puga on the additional charge of attempted murder.

Cervantes remains in custody on $505,000 bail. Puga remains in custody on $525,000 bail. The 17-year-old male remains in juvenile hall without bail.

Gang investigators will continue to investigate the shooting in an attempt to locate the firearm used in the crime and to determine if a fourth suspect was involved.

RB#: 10-6880
Location: 11000 Block Aster Street, Saticoy
Date & Time: 3-21-10 / 10:30 p.m.

Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit

(S)uspects Charge City of residence Age
1) Christopher Cervantez Attempted Murder Saticoy 25
2) Jose Puga Attempted Murder Saticoy 20
3) Male Juvenile Attempted Murder Saticoy 17

Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Schierman

Follow-up Contact: Sergeant Schierman 654-2856

Date of Release: 3-25-2010

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 3/26/10 at approximately 5:25 p.m., staff at the Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station received a call of an aircraft down on Boy Scout Camp Road, just north of Lockwood Valley Road. Deputies responded to the location and found an unoccupied, single engine experimental aircraft off the northbound shoulder of the roadway. The aircraft appeared to have sustained moderate damage consistent with an attempted landing on the roadway.

A passer-by stopped and told deputies that he had observed the aircraft go down on the roadway and collide with brush near the shoulder. The witness stopped for the pilot and co-pilot, who were exiting the aircraft and were uninjured. The pilots explained they lost engine power and attempted to land on the highway. The witness transported the pilots to a restaurant in Lebec.

During the investigation, deputies made contact with the pilot and confirmed the details of the emergency landing. Notifications were made to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Location: Boy Scout Camp Road north of Lockwood Valley Road, Lockwood Valley

Date & Time: March 26, 2010 @ 5:25 p.m.

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, West County Patrol Services, Lockwood Valley Station

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of residence Age
Pilot and Owner Richard Van Vleet Ventura, California
Co-Pilot Ralph Simon Kahului, Hawaii

Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Ryan Clark #2861
Follow-up Contact: Captain Ross Bonfiglio 805-654-2417
Date of Release: March 26, 2010
Approved By: Captain Stephen Wade

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Sunday, March 28, 2010, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies were made aware of a carjacking that occurred at approximately 0555 hours in the 7400 block of Bradley Road, Somis. A 56 year old male victim was driving his 2006 BMW on Bradley Rd. when he observed an obstruction blocking both traffic lanes in the 7400 block. The victim stopped, exited his vehicle, and began moving the obstruction from the roadway. The suspect, Gerardo Sillas, emerged from the shrubbery and pointed a handgun at the victim.The suspect demanded the victim’s wallet and vehicle. After the victim complied with the suspect’s demands, the suspect fled with the victim’s wallet and vehicle. The victim called authorities using his cellular telephone. The suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed in the 8000 block of Balcom Canyon. The suspect then fled the area on foot. Deputies searching the area found the victim’s vehicle a short time later with major damage in a field.

As the search continued, a 911 call was received from a resident in the 8000 block of Balcom Canyon. The caller reported his dog sustained a gunshot wound. It was later determined that Sillas shot the dog shortly after crashing the victim’s vehicle. The dog was stabilized and the wound did not appear to be life threatening. Shortly thereafter, a 17 year old male who was working in a field on Posita Road saw the suspect who brandished a firearm at him.

As a result of the brandishing, an additional 911 call was received reference a “man with a gun” at the end of Posita Road. Deputies and CHP units quickly converged on the location and confronted Sillas who was disarmed and arrested. Sillas was booked at the Ventura County Main Jail for carjacking, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, brandishing, cruelty to an animal, and resisting arrest. Additionally, Sillas is a known gang member from the city of Fillmore. Therefore he was also booked for street terrorism. The investigation is being handled by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Gang Unit.

Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant John J. Gleason

Follow-up Contact: Sgt. Schierman. #654-3551

Approved By: Captain O’Hanlon

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 28, 2010 at approximately 0100 hours, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a “shots fired” call in the 100 block of Padre Juan in Meiners Oaks. Deputies located several witnesses, broken glass and several spent shotgun shells in the street . As the investigation was continuing, an additional call to Sheriff ‘s dispatch revealed the location of the vehicle and its occupants.

Sheriff’s Major Crimes detectives were called to assist in the criminal investigation. They determined that a physical altercation took place in the front yard of McCoy’s residence between the victims and the suspect. After the physical altercation ended, the suspect armed himself with a shotgun and fired several rounds as the vehicle left the area. The occupants of the vehicle were not injured in the shooting.

Suspect Jason McCoy was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention facility for assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at an occupied vehicle with a bail amount of $50,000.00.

Location: 100 block of Padre Juan, Meiners Oaks
Date & Time: March 28, 2010 1:07 a.m.
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff, Sheriff Major Crimes

S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age

(S1) McCoy, Jason Meiners Oaks 19

(V1) Jerviss, Charles Oak View 25

(V2) Jerviss, Jonathan Oak View 20

Officer Preparing Release:
Brian Richmond, Detective ,Major Crimes

Follow-up Contact:
Brian Richmond (805) 477-7036

Approved By:
Captain O’Hanlon

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Drug kingpin Jose Antonio Medina (AKA: Don Pepe) was arrested in Michoacán Mexico on March 24th. Medina is connected to the drug distribution ring responsible for funneling large amounts of heroin into Ventura County. A record amount of that heroin and other illicit drugs were seized by the Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT) in 2008. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office was instrumental in coordinating Medina’s arrest and working with Mexican officials to bring him to justice locally.

VCAT is a narcotics enforcement team that was formed in 1999 and is comprised of law enforcement officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Oxnard PD, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, DEA, and other local law enforcement agencies. VCAT also works closely with other state and federal agencies such as BNE (Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement), the FBI, and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

VCAT was formed and operated with the substantial funding provided by the Federal Byrne JAG grant. The grant program was designed for multi-jurisdictional task force programs that integrate Federal, State and/or local drug law enforcement agencies and prosecutors for the purpose of enhancing interagency coordination and intelligence and facilitating multi-jurisdictional investigations. Seizures of this size and complexity are only possible through the use of multi-agency resources and coordination, which is the basis for the formation of VCAT.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department’s Ojai detectives and patrol deputies concluded an investigation into a child abuse case in which one suspect kicked a four-year-old male child in the groin while another suspect videotaped it. The investigation started when a patrol deputy was given a found cellular phone. When the deputy attempted to identify the owner of the phone, he located a video in the phone showing a four-year-old male child being kicked in the groin by an adult male. The child abuse case occurred in December of 2009, but was not reported until the deputy uncovered the video.

During the investigation, the two suspects were identified and ultimately arrested for 273a(a) – Child Abuse. At this time, the suspects are in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

273a(a) P.C. – Child Abuse

Location: City of Ojai

Dates: December 22, 2009

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Department / Ojai Substation Detectives

Suspect: City of Residence: Age:
Ru Rupp Oak View 18 years old
Charles Rodriguez Oak View 20 years old

Officer Preparing Release: Detective M. Burgess
Follow-up Contact: Detectives M. Burgess or S. Michalec (805) 646-1414
Date of Release: March 24, 2010
Approved By: Captain Chris Dunn

On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, Santa Paula Police Officers investigating reports of “lewd acts upon a child”, attempted to contact and arrest the suspect, Marvin Arnoldo Duarte Garcia, 34 years of age and a resident of Santa Paula. The suspect learned officers were attempting to contact him, and subsequently fled the area with two small children.
During the course of the investigation, the Santa Paula Police Department initiated a statewide alert. A coordinated effort between the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Santa Paula Police Department resulted in a CHP officer locating the suspect driving the vehicle south on Interstate 5 in the southern portion of Orange County.
The officer attempted to stop the vehicle however, Garcia failed to stop. The pursuit continued into San Diego County. In the area of the City of Oceanside, Garcia lost control of his vehicle and was involved in a traffic collision. He fled on foot from the scene. An Oceanside Police Department canine was able to apprehend Garcia as he fled into a lagoon. He was arrested at the scene for several felonies, including reckless evading a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, leaving the scene of a traffic collision, and several crimes relating to illegal sexual acts with a child under the age of 14 years. The small children believed to be in the vehicle were found to have been dropped off with relatives prior to Garcia leaving Ventura County.
Garcia was transported back to Ventura County and lodged in the Ventura County Jail pending a court appearance. Because Garcia is believed to be a flight risk, the Santa Paula Police Department has petitioned the Superior Court to hold Garcia without bail. Because of the nature of the crimes, and the age of the victim, the child’s identity will not be released.

Ryan Smith # 1021
Police Sergeant

California Highway Patrol

On March 18, 2010 at 11:09 pm, Ventura Area CHP officers were involved in a high speed vehicle pursuit.

Two Ventura Area CHP officers were traveling southbound on US-101 north of Victoria Ave. when a gold GMC Sierra pickup truck passed their patrol car traveling at 85 mph with no lights on. The officers attempted to make a traffic stop on the pickup truck. The driver failed to yield to the officers and continued traveling south on US-101 at a high rate of speed before exiting at Vineyard Ave. The driver turned left on Vineyard Ave. failing to stop at a red light. The pickup traveled north on Vineyard Ave. and turned right on Simon Way. The pickup truck traveled on numerous residential streets in the El Rio area running stop signs at 50 mph. During the pursuit in the El Rio area, the pickup sustained a flat right rear tire after striking a curb. The pickup truck traveled westbound on Simon Way and turned left on Vineyard Ave.

As the pickup truck turned left on Vineyard Ave., the driver lost control due to the flat tire. The pickup truck spun around and stopped facing northbound in the southbound #2 lane on Vineyard Ave. It began traveling northbound in the southbound lane when a second CHP unit intentionally struck the right rear side of the pickup truck in an effort to terminate the pursuit. The pickup truck spun around and came to a complete stop before driver of the pickup accelerated directly at the patrol vehicle. The pickup struck the passenger side door and right rear fender of the patrol vehicle. There was a passenger officer in the right front seat of the patrol vehicle when it was struck by the pickup truck.

The pickup truck traveled back into the residential El Rio area where the driver continued driving at a high rate of speed and failing to stop at stop signs. After traveling on several streets in El Rio, the pickup truck traveled westbound on Stroube Ave. and turned left on Vineyard Ave. The pickup traveled northbound on Vineyard Ave. at 80 mph and turned left on SR-118 (Los Angeles Ave.). The driver slowed to 40 mph while traveling on SR-118 toward the Saticoy area. The pickup truck finally pulled over at Azahar St. in Saticoy. The driver was taken into custody after briefly resisting CHP officers.

The driver of the pickup truck was identified as Robert Alexander Velasquez, age 41 of Ventura. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail for driving under the influence of alcohol, assault with deadly weapon and felony evading a peace officer. The patrol vehicle Velasquez struck sustained major damage. No one was injured in this incident.