Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 1200 Fuschia Street, Oxnard
Date & Time: 1-30-2009
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit / Oxnard Police Gang investigators

(S)uspects Charge, City of residence, Age
Horacio Morales Attempt Murder/Robbery Oxnard 18
Martin Cervantez Attempt Murder/Robbery Oxnard 19
Male Juvenile Attempt Murder/Robbery Oxnard 15

Outstanding Suspects

Eduardo Heredia 19 yrs old, Hispanic male 5’10” 140 pounds
Gustavo Vargas 18 yrs old, Hispanic male 5’10” medium build, glasses

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Gang Unit and the Oxnard Police Gang Unit arrested three Oxnard gang members Friday for the attempt murder and robbery of two juveniles in the unincorporated area of El Rio. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Wrights Market, 2691 Ventura Blvd, Nyeland Acres
Date & Time: January 28, 2009
Unit Responsible: Gang Unit

(S)uspects Charge City of residence Age
Aguirre, Angel - Felon in poss. firearm., Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Santa Paula, 30
Male Juvenile - Felony Warrant., Santa Paula, 17
Male Juvenile - Robbery, Santa Paula, 16
Gonzalez, Adam - Robbery, Identity theft, Santa Paula, 28

On Wednesday, January 28, 2009, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested Angel Aguirre for his part in a robbery that occurred earlier in the month in the unincorporated area of Nyeland Acres.
On January 9, 2009, two men approached the owner of Wrights Market as he arrived for work at 4:50 A.M. One of the subjects displayed a handgun and the second searched both victim and the victim’s vehicle for property. After removing some property, which included the victim’s wallet and credit cards, both suspects fled the area on foot. CONTINUED »

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Culver City Police Sergeant Curt Massey:

“Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sergeant Curt Massey. He was committed to protecting his community and Culver City is a better place for his service. We join all Californians in sending our deepest condolences to Curt’s family and fellow officers during this difficult time.”

Massey, 41, of Pacific Palisades, was killed after his car was struck by a vehicle traveling the wrong way. He was a 17-year veteran of the Culver City Police Department and is survived by his wife and three children.

In honor of Sergeant Massey, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Ventura County Fire Protection District
Announces:
Vegetation Management
Controlled Burning
Sisar Road, Upper Ojai

A BURN IS SCHEDULED FOR
Wednesday
February 4, 2009
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
WEATHER PERMITTING

The Ventura County Fire Protection District, in cooperation with Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), the U. S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE), and with the support of the local residents, is proceeding with a vegetation management/controlled burn plan. The plan is intended to reduce the threat of damage from wildfires in the area. The planning and preparation for this project has been ongoing to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the operation. The project will consist of the burning of vegetation piles that have been cut stacked and dried for burning.
Fire department units will closely monitor each burn for safety.
The Ventura County Fire Department works closely with APCD on all smoke management and health concerns, therefore, the 412-acre project area has been broken into smaller units to reduce smoke in the area. Each burn is scheduled begin at 10:00 a.m. and be completed by 4:00 p.m. Pile burning will only be done under optimal weather conditions and is subject to cancellation.
Please watch road signs or postings in the area announcing these prescribed burns. We encourage and need the community’s support for this safety project.

VANDALISM
01/20/09
400 Block 2nd Street
9:09 a.m.

VANDALISM
01/20/09
1st Street/Central Avenue
Approx. 7 p.m.

VANDALISM
01/20/09
500 Block Via Rodeo Street
8:32 p.m.

BURGLARY VEHICLE
01/20/09
1000 Block B Street
10:11 p.m.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 2900 Block of Taffrail, Oxnard
Date: January 23, 2009
Unit Responsible: Special Services Bureau / Narcotics Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of residence Age
Susan Wolvington Oxnard 41

On January 23, 2009, members of the Sheriff’s West County Street Narcotics Team, responding to reports of heroin sales, concluded a three-week narcotics investigation in the City of Oxnard. Information was received that Susan Wolvington was selling heroin from her residence in the 2900 block of Taffrail, Oxnard. Today, detectives observed Wolvington conduct what appeared to be a drug transaction at a neighborhood park near her residence. Wolvington was arrested and a narcotic search warrant was subsequently served at her residence. Approximately 7 grams of tar heroin was seized during this investigation. Additionally, it was discovered that Wolvington is wanted in the State of Louisiana for forgery related charges. She was later booked into the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 6000 block of Cornell Street Moorpark, Ca.
Date & Time/ RB#: Mar. 19, 2007 / 8:00 p.m. / 07-7914
Unit Responsible: East County Sexual Assault Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
(S) Carroll, Sean Edward Palmdale, Ca. 39

A former Moorpark resident was convicted Thursday for three counts of sexual assault involving the forcible rape of a developmentally disabled woman that occurred in 2007.
Sean Carroll was found guilty by a Ventura County jury of assault with intent to commit rape, penetration with a foreign object by force, and assault with a deadly weapon.
The assault occurred when Carroll picked up the 37-year-old victim to take her shopping. The two already knew each other, and she accepted Carroll’s offer for a shopping trip to look for shoes. Carroll instead drove the victim past the shopping center and continued to his residence in Moorpark, where he assaulted her.
Although the victim is an adult, she has the mental capacity of a person under the age of ten. Carroll was remanded once the verdict was read, and he is being held without bail at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. Carroll’s sentencing is scheduled for Mar. 17, 2009 in Ventura Superior Court. He faces up to ten years and four months in state prison.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Bank of America 2345 Borchard Road Newbury Park, Ca.
Date & Time/ RB#: Jan. 16, 2009 / 8:00 p.m. / 09-1467
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Forgery / Fraud Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
(S) Paun, Bogdan Los Angeles 39

Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Los Angeles man recently for installing and using a skimming device on a Newbury Park bank’s automated teller machine.
An alert witness saw 39-year-old Bogdan Paun walk up to the drive-through ATM on January 16, 2009. Paun returned to a vehicle that was parked in the parking lot. He remained in the parking lot, but then walked back to the ATM a short time later.
The witness used the ATM and saw that one of the two machines had an out-of-order sign posted on it. The witness used the adjacent machine, but noticed something looked different on the ATM. He notified the sheriff’s department and gave a detailed description of Paun as well as Paun’s vehicle, including the license plate number.
Deputies arrived and contacted the witness, who provided details of what he had seen. As deputies interviewed the witness, Paun returned to the parking lot, where deputies detained him. The investigation revealed a skimming device attached to the ATM, along with a surveillance camera system. Deputies found additional evidence inside Paun’s vehicle linking him to the skimming of account numbers via the ATM. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Thousand Oaks
Unit Responsible: Special Enforcement Unit / Immigration and Customs Enforcement

A partnership between the Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Special Enforcement/Gang Unit and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement led to the deportation of 14 criminal street gang members from Thousand Oaks in 2008.
Because of Operation Community Shield, an ICE-led nationwide gang enforcement program, local law enforcement agencies have formed partnerships with ICE to deport members of criminal street gangs who are foreign nationals.
Seven of the fourteen deportees in 2008 were members of the El Salvadoran MS-13 gang. The remaining seven were members of the local TOCAS gang. One of the TOCAS gang members was deported three times in 2008, while another was deported twice during the year. A third TOCAS member is currently in federal custody, pending conviction for illegal re-entry.
Two MS-13 members are currently in federal custody pending deportation, while two TOCAS members are also pending deportation hearings. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 3766 Santa Clara Avenue, Oxnard, CA
Date and Time: January 19, 2009 / 8:30PM
Victim(s): Name withheld pending notification of next of kin - Female - 27 years
Suspect(s): Zavala, Julio - Male - 30 years

On January 19, 2009 at about 8:20PM, a neighbor heard a gunshot come from the area of Zavala’s residence. The neighbor went to Zavala’s house to check on Zavala, his wife, and two children (male age 12 and a female age 6). The neighbor found the front door open and the children watching television. The children told the neighbor Zavala and his wife (their mother) were in the bedroom. The neighbor called for Zavala, but didn’t receive a response. The neighbor went back to her house and woke her husband, who went to the Zavala house directing the children to his (the neighbor’s) house. The husband called for Zavala, knocked on the bedroom door and tried to open the bedroom door, but found it locked. As the husband was walking out of the Zavala residence, he heard a gunshot from inside the residence. The husband directed his wife to call 911.

Responding Deputes were directed to the Zavala residence, and entered the front door to check on the welfare of Zavala and his wife. The Deputies forced entry into the bedroom and found Zavala and his wife were shot. Deputies summoned fire and medical personnel, who pronounced Zavala and his wife dead at the scene. Zavala and his wife each suffered one fatal gunshot wound. The weapon was recovered inside the bedroom. Investigators do not believe there are any outstanding suspects. The evidence suggests Zavala shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. Zavala’s relatives did not know of any reason Zavala would want to harm his wife. There had not been any previous domestic violence between Zavala and his wife reported to the Sheriff’s Department since Zavala and his wife began living there about a year ago.

Ventura County Fire Protection District Announces:
Vegetation Management Controlled Burn

Reagan Library, Simi Valley

A BURN IS SCHEDULED FOR
Wednesday
January 28, 2009
8:00 am – 10:00 am
WEATHER PERMITTING

The Ventura County Fire Protection District, in cooperation with Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), will be conducting a controlled burn in the area of the Reagan Presidential Library on Wednesday, January 28. The project is intended to reduce the threat of damage from wildfires in the area. The planning and preparation for this project has been ongoing to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the operation. The project will consist of the burning of vegetation piles that have been cut stacked and dried for burning.
Fire department units will closely monitor the burn for safety.
The Ventura County Fire Department works closely with APCD on all smoke management and health concerns. Every effort to reduce the impact of smoke to the area residence will be employed. The burn will be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.. Pile burning will only be done under optimal weather conditions and is subject to cancellation.
Please watch road signs or postings in the area announcing this controlled burn. We encourage and need the community’s support for this safety project.

Ventura County Fire Protection District Announces:
Vegetation Management Controlled Burning

Sisar Road, Upper Ojai

A BURN IS SCHEDULED FOR
Wednesday and Thursday January 28 and 29th, 2009
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
WEATHER PERMITTING

The Ventura County Fire Protection District, in cooperation with Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), the U. S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE), and with the support of the local residents, is proceeding with a two-day vegetation management/controlled burn plan in the Sisar Rd. area of upper Ojai. The plan is intended to reduce the threat of damage from wildfires in the area. The planning and preparation for this project has been ongoing to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the operation. The project will consist of the burning of vegetation piles that have been cut stacked and dried for burning.
Fire department units will closely monitor each burn for safety.
The Ventura County Fire Department works closely with APCD on all smoke management and health concerns, therefore, the 412-acre project area has been broken into smaller units to reduce smoke in the area. Each burn is scheduled begin at 10:00 a.m. and be completed by 4:00 p.m. Pile burning will only be done under optimal weather conditions and is subject to cancellation.
Please watch road signs or postings in the area announcing these prescribed burns. We encourage and need the community’s support for this safety project.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Las Posas Rd and Upland Dr, Camarillo
Date: January 15, 2009
Unit Responsible: Special Services Bureau / Narcotics Unit

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of residence Age
Gavin Brown Transient 18

Acting on a tip received from the community, the Sheriff’s West County Street Narcotics Team conducted an investigation into ecstasy sales occurring in the City of Camarillo. During the evening hours of January 15, 2009, detectives observed what appeared to be a narcotics transaction in the area of Las Posas Rd and Upland Dr. At that time, detectives contacted Gavin Brown and located 38 ecstasy tablets. Brown was subsequently arrested for sales of ecstasy and possession of ecstasy for sale. Ecstasy is a highly addictive designer drug, which can act as both a stimulant and hallucinogen. It is popular with teens and young adults. The seized tablets had a street value of approximately $350.00. Brown was booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Ventura County Government Center
Date: January 16, 2009

Unit Responsible: Detention Services – Classification Unit & Major Crimes & Narcotics Units

(V)ictims, Address, Age
Briones, Gilbert, Moorpark, CA, 26

(S)uspects, Address, Charge, Age
Morales, Johnny Mejia, Oxnard, CA, 192(b) PC – Involuntary Manslaughter, 32
11352(a) H&S – Sales of Narcotics
11550(a) H&S – Under the Influence

On September 3, 2008, Gilbert Briones was an inmate in the Ventura County Jail. At approximately 1:50 P.M. a deputy conducting cell checks found Briones unresponsive and not breathing. First aid was administered. Briones was transported to the hospital for advanced emergency care. After arriving at the hospital, Briones was pronounced dead. The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death an overdose (Acute Morphine (Heroin) Intoxication).

After a thorough investigation by the Detention Services Classification Unit and Sheriff’s Major Crimes, Johnny Morales, who was also an inmate at the time of Briones’ death, was identified as the suspect. It is the investigators’ belief that Morales provided Briones with the narcotics that resulted in his death.

On January 13, 2009, Morales was arrested while in the Ventura County Courthouse for an unrelated matter.

On January 14, 2009, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed the above charges on Morales. Morales remains in custody with bail set at $90,000. His next court appearance is January 26, 2009 at 1:30 P.M. in Courtroom 12.

Location(s): Heritage House – 50 Oak Street, Camarillo, California
Date & Time: January 14, 2009 / 1:00 pm
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau – Missing Persons Unit

Missing Person, Address, Age
Irma Mary Rivera, 50 Oak Street, Camarillo, 53

On January 14, 2009, at about 1300 hours, Irma Rivera walked away from Heritage House, an inpatient care residential facility located in the City of Camarillo. Facility staff or her family has not seen Rivera since yesterday afternoon.

Rivera takes various prescription medications for mental health issues. She is considered an “at risk” missing person.

Rivera is described as follows:

Hispanic female / 5’01” tall / 180 pounds / black hair / brown eyes.

Rivera was last seen wearing a dark blue or black hooded sweatshirt, dark colored pants, and was carrying a large shiny black leather purse.

Anyone with information regarding Rivera’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 654-9511. (Refer to attached photo).

California Highway Patrol

On January 14, 2009 at approximately 1:05 p.m. a non-injury roll-over traffic collision occurred on Rice Avenue, just north of Hueneme Road. The incident involved a big rig which was towing a trailer loaded with pallets of cardboard. The collision forced the partial closure of Rice Avenue for over three hours while emergency crews worked to upright the rig and to clear up the roadway.

Artemo Guerra, 58 years of age from Ventura, was driving a 1995 Peterbilt tractor and trailer combination (owned by Oxnard Lemon Company) southbound on Rice Avenue, and had just traveled onto the transition to Hueneme Road. As he was traveling through a curve in the transition, the load of pallets shifted to the left, causing the right side wheels of both the tractor and trailer to lift off of the roadway. Mr. Guerra was unable to regain control as the entire combination flipped onto its left side, spilling the pallets of cardboard onto the ground. The combination came to rest on its left side and was blocking the transition to Hueneme Road. Personnel from the California Highway Patrol and the Ventura County Fire Department responded to the scene and closed down the transition roadway for over three hours while clean-up of the scene was conducted. Mr. Guerra was not injured during the collision and DUI was not a suspected factor. The incident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On January 14, 1979, Gloria Nieves began her career as a dispatcher with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. She worked at the Thousand Oaks East Valley police station from 1979 to 1983 where she was responsible for answering incoming telephone calls from the East Valley area. At that time, dispatchers working at the East Valley station were not responsible for working a radio console, as that was the responsibility of the dispatchers working in the Ventura office. However, Gloria was eager to learn the radio aspect of the position and quickly acquired the skills necessary to do so. This allowed her to work at either station, thereby reducing the amount of overtime worked by the dispatchers in Ventura.

Throughout Gloria’s 30-year career, she has experienced technological changes and advances within the 9-1-1 industry that a mere handful of 9-1-1 professionals have seen. For example, in 1983 the Sheriff’s Department implemented 9-1-1 and a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system when it merged its two communications centers and moved them to the Government Center in Ventura. Since then, Gloria has been on hand to witness two upgrades to the phone system, a replacement of the CAD system and an upgrade of the radio system.

Gloria has proven time and time again that she loves serving the public. This is evident by the numerous commendations she has received from her supervisors and patrol personnel throughout the years. Gloria has been selected as the Dispatcher of the Year three times by her peers and supervisors. She was also a nominee for the 2004 for the California Public Safety Radio Officials Association Team Performance Award.

Not only is Gloria a very dedicated and knowledgeable dispatcher, she also plays a significant role in the Sheriff’s Communications Center’s Christmas Holiday Boutique. The boutique is held every year to assist in the fund-raising efforts to help a less-fortunate “adopted” family during the holiday season. This year her coordination of the craft making made one family’s Christmas a Christmas to remember.

Gloria Nieves has one daughter and lives in Oxnard.

California Highway Patrol

On January 10, 2009 at approximately 1:20 p.m. a fatal head-on traffic collision occurred between a 2003 Kawasaki motorcycle, and a 1995 Ford Van. The incident happened on SR-33, just south of Potrero Creek.

Keith Alexander, 27 years of age from Oxnard, CA, was riding his 2003 Kawasaki motorcycle in the southbound lane of SR-33, south of Potrero Creek Bridge at an unknown speed. Alexander allowed his motorcycle to drift into the northbound lane directly into the path of Thomas Hubbard (45 years of age) who was driving his van in the northbound lane. The two vehicles then collided head-on with one another. CHP personnel and emergency personnel from the Ventura County Fire Department responded to the scene shortly after.

Mr. Alexander was subsequently airlifted from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased by the attending physician. Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in this collision. Mr. Hubbard, who resides in Simi Valley, was not injured. The collision is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Location: Emma Wood State Beach / Rincon Beach Parkway
Date & Time: January 8, 2009 @ 1100 Hours
Unit Responsible: West County Patrol / Headquarters Investigation Unit

Over the past several months, numerous vehicle burglaries and thefts of property have been reported at Emma Wood State Beach and along the Rincon Parkway. Suspects are entering vehicles through unlocked doors or by breaking windows. Also, campers are routinely waking up to find security cables cut and bicycles or portable generators stolen.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind all citizens not to leave valuable property inside, or outside their vehicles or campers. Also victims of vehicle burglaries often discover the suspects have used their bankcards fraudulently.

In an effort to proactively attack this problem; in conjunction with extra patrol, theft-warning signs will be posted along the Rincon Parkway and inside Emma Wood, Faria, and Hobson campgrounds. These signs will advise visitors of the ongoing theft problem and provide contact phones numbers for the Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and County Parks.

Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at 805-654-9511, or in emergencies dial “9-1-1.”

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000.00 reward for any tip which results in an arrest or indictment. Your anonymous tip can be given by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 2900 Merced Place, Oxnard, CA 93033
Date & Time: January 7, 2009, 1040 hours
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, City of residence, Age
Nicholas Sean Coffman (Suspect) Oxnard, CA., 24

On January 7, 2009, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit learned that Nicholas Coffman had an outstanding want by State Parole. A detective drove by the home of Coffman’s parents and saw Coffman’s vehicle parked in the driveway. A short time later Coffman left the residence, got into his car and drove away from the area.

Detectives and Sheriff’s patrol deputies attempted to stop Coffman and a short vehicle pursuit ensued. When Coffman arrived at the intersection of San Benito Street and El Dorado Avenue, he jumped from his car while it was still moving forward and attempted to flee on foot. The vehicle collided with a tree. Coffman was located in the area by a helicopter crew who directed pursuing deputies to Coffman’s location. Coffman was taken into custody without further incident.

Coffman was arrested for a parole hold, misdemeanor hit and run, possession of a controlled substance, evading a police officer and resisting arrest. Coffman was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau at 477-7000.