Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Suspect: Stanley Speer, 53 years old, Ventura
Victim: Vincent David Gutierrez, 24 years old, Ventura

On August 20, 2008, Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau arrested Stanley Speer for the murder of Vincent Gutierrez. Gutierrez was shot to death in a field near the 600 block of Rocklite Road in the unincorporated area of Ventura on May 20, 2003. The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau conducted an extensive investigation into the murder, which lead to the arrest of Speer.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s office filed murder charges against Speer, along with special allegations of committing a crime for the benefit of a street gang. There is no evidence linking the victim to any gang. Speer is in custody at the Ventura County Jail with a bail amount of $610,000. Speer’s case is set for a preliminary hearing on December 12, 2008.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Mugu Rock, Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura County, Ca
(Victim): Catalino Ramos Vazquez City of residence: Oxnard Age: 19
(Victim): Pedro Avila Ramos Oxnard 19
(Victim): Male Juvenile Oxnard 17

On 11-27-08, at about 1400 hours, Sheriff's Deputies responded to a call of five people in the water at Point Mugu Rock near Malibu. A group of five men from Oxnard were standing on the rocks, located down at the shoreline, attempting to take pictures when a wave came in and swept all five into the ocean. Two of the members of the group were able to swim back to shore and call for help. A bystander, Kathyrn Barrona, from Camarillo, heard the cry for help and took immediate action. Without thinking of her safety she dove into the ocean and recovered one of the bodies. Unfortunately, the body she recovered was deceased. The other two individuals were recovered by the Sheriff's Helicopter, both of them were deceased.

The Sheriff's Department wants to remind everyone, that although it is not posted as a "No Trespassing" area, the rock area at the shoreline is very dangerous. The Viewing area, located at the upper parking area is a safe place to enjoy and view the ocean.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 11/30/2008 at about 8:40 A.M. Patrol Deputies assigned to the Moorpark Police Department responded to a call of a vehicle burglary that had just occurred in the 3100 block of Subida Court. Responding deputies were advised that the victim had observed two males enter his vehicle and steal his personal property. The victim was following the vehicle that the two suspects left in. While driving to the location, Deputies saw a vehicle matching the description given by the victim and stopped it at Moorpark Rd. and Tierra Rejada Road.

The victim positively identified the two persons in the car, Garreth Shiff and Joshua Roscom, as being the two that took approximately $1100.00 worth of construction tools out of his truck. The property was recovered and returned to the victim.

Both Garreth Shiff and Joshua Roscom were booked into the Ventura County Jail for a violation of Grand Theft, Penal Code section 487 PC. Their bail was set at $10,000.00

Let’s face it; we would all like to win the lottery, especially in these difficult economic times. However, not all lotteries are created equal. Beware the letter or phone call explaining that you’ve won something, but have to pay taxes or a fee in order to claim the prize.

Avoid answering any letters or calls originating from outside the United States, especially Canada or Nigeria.

Advance-fee lottery scams are still a major problem. The letters and checks are arriving at your mailboxes right about now, just when you can least afford to give your money away to thieves. The targets are often people who can least afford to absorb the financial loss: the elderly.

The most common scam is the phone call from someone in Canada congratulating the unsuspecting victim that he or she has won a lottery. In order to claim the prize, the victim is told to wire $10,000.00 via Western Union to a person in Canada. The money covers the taxes, fees, and insurance the lottery officials require before shipping the winning check to the victim. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A message from the Moorpark Police Crime Prevention

Those of us who work in law enforcement will tell you that if a thief really wants to get into your home, he probably will. However, there are some easy steps to make your house unattractive to the bad guy. We will call these techniques “Target Hardening”.

Lighting (The Crime Prevention Staple)

Bad Guys don't like to be seen, so install lights that will light up the outside of your home. Motion detecting fixtures work great. Remember to install them where they can't be reached or the bulb removed or broken. Placing a double light motion detector on all exterior corners of your home should sufficiently light your entire yard. Most double light motion detectors have directional light fixtures. Each light should be aimed down a side of your home allowing full-lighted coverage of your exterior walls. Remember to be courteous to your neighbors when aiming your lights.

Environmental Design

Plants and shrubs growing around your home can provide a great place for a burglar to lurk unseen. Keep your bushes trimmed so a burglar can't hide in them, out of sight. In crime prevention we call this the 2 and 6 concept. All shrubs should be trimmed at a maximum height of 2 feet and all tree skirts should be trimmed above 6 feet.

Don't advertise that there are things worth stealing in your home. If you get a new TV or computer, don't just put the box out by the curb on trash pick up day. This is like a billboard to the bad guys telling them you have a nice TV for them to steal. Break down the box or turn it inside out, so no one passing by will be able to make a shopping list of what is in your home. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Fire Department

The Ventura County Fire Department will be dedicating its new fire station in Malibu – Station 56 – at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, December 9. The public is invited to attend.

The new station replaces the two-bedroom apartment and engine shed that has served as the Malibu station for decades. The new Station 56 fronts on Pacific Coast Highway and features living quarters for the crew, offices, two engine bays, exercise facilities and a shop. A radio antenna on the property has also improved emergency radio communication along the Malibu coastline.

Fire Chief Bob Roper and Supervisor Linda Parks will both make brief comments during the ceremony. Tours of the station will be available and refreshments will be served.

By constructing the new station, the department has renewed its dedication to serving the citizens of the Malibu area of Ventura County with well-trained, professional firefighters. The dedication ceremony and tours are an opportunity for the public to see how Malibu’s firefighters live while on duty. Firefighters are expected to move into the new facility on December 2. The station is located at 11855 Pacific Coast Highway.

Fillmore Fire Department

The Annual Toy Drive Sponsored by City of Fillmore Fire Department & the Ventura County Sheriffs Department North Fillmore Storefront Station is underway. Unwrapped toy donations are currently being accepted at Fillmore Fire Station 91 located at 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore. All donors will receive a ticket for each toy donated, good for one BBQ Chicken Dinner. The BBQ will take place on Sunday December 14th, 2009 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM. Dinner will be served at our Fire Station or you may take advantage of our drive thru service.
In addition to our annual BBQ chicken dinner, Fillmore Fire has teamed up with Dr. Michelangelo Rubino of Healing Solutions Chiropractic & Wellness Center of Fillmore. Dr. Rubino is now offering new patients a FREE chiropractic adjustment when you bring a toy to his office valued at $20.00 or more! Please visit Dr. Rubino at his office located at 751 Ventura Street Suite D in Fillmore.
Toys will be distributed to Fillmore children on Tuesday December 23th 3:00PM at the North Fillmore Sheriffs Department Storefront Station located on Lemon Way in Fillmore. For children, a new toy during the holidays symbolizes continual hope and the potential for a wonderful new year. Many of us don’t realize how hundreds of families in Fillmore struggle each week to put food on the table and pay rent, leaving many families without money for day to day activities. Many of these families are left disappointed when they are unable to provide their children with a new toy during the holidays.
Toy Drop-off Locations: Fillmore Fire Department 711 Sespe Place Fillmore, CA 93015
805-524-0586. Healing Solutions Chiropractic & Wellness Center Dr. Michelangelo Rubino 751 Ventura Street Fillmore, CA 93015 805-524-2044. El Pescador Family Restaurant 1305 Ventura Street Fillmore, CA 93015 805-524-9999.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

At about 4:09 am, Victim Selvin Corpeno called the Sheriff’s Communication Center and said two unknown suspects robbed him at gunpoint. Corpeno said he parked his big rig on the street in front of the Valero Gas Station when a male and female suspect approached him. The female produced a handgun and demanded that he give up his wallet, which contained an undetermined amount of cash. Corpeno gave the suspect his wallet and the suspects then fled on foot into the nearby residential area. No shots were fired and Corpeno was not injured during the robbery. The suspects were only described as a male Hispanic, about 23 years old and a very thin female suspect, about 28 years old with bleach blonde hair.

The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with any information regarding this case is urged to contact Sheriff Major Crimes. Also, 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 (805) 494-TALK (Thousand Oaks / Moorpark) or (805) 385-TALK (Camarillo / Oxnard / Port Hueneme).

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, Address, Age
(S) Ryan John Drury, Ojai Valley, 18
(S) Gregory Kiddie, Ojai Valley, 18
(S) Six (6) Male Juveniles, Ojai Valley, 17
(S) One (1) Male Juvenile, Ojai Valley, 16

On November 20, 2008 Ojai Police Department detectives arrested two adults and seven male juveniles in connection with the October 3, 2008, vandalism at Villanova Preparatory School. During the investigation, detectives determined two separate groups were responsible for the vandalism. One group vandalized an antique marble statue of Saint Thomas of Villanova and other graffiti nearby. The second group poured manure and salt in the swimming pool and on the football field. Damage was estimated in excess of $5,000.00. The incident took place the night before a rival football game between Nordhoff High School and Villanova Preparatory School. This was the first game between the schools in 33 years. Although some of the damage was done to religious symbols, there is no evidence to suggest this was a hate-motivated crime.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 11-22-08, Sheriff’s narcotics investigators completed a six-month investigation into narcotics sales occurring from a residence in the 4600 block of South A Street, Oxnard. When detectives served the Search Warrant at the home, Daniel Wallace, the target of the investigation, threw a handgun and two bags containing narcotics over a wall to a neighbor’s residence. The subsequent search revealed over one pound of cocaine, three ounces of rock cocaine, two ounces of methamphetamine, and six pounds of marijuana. Additionally, paraphernalia was located indicating Wallace was converting cocaine powder into rock cocaine. Wallace was arrested and booked for possession of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana for sale, and manufacturing rock cocaine.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Trail Canyon area, Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County , Ca
Victim: Blanchard, Hugh
City of residence: Glendale, Ca.
Age: about 70 years old

On 11-22-08, at approximately 1430 hours, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department’s rescue helicopter, Air Squad 9, was dispatched to Hungry Valley State Park for a vehicle accident. While responding to the incident, it was learned this was actually an injured hiker in the Trail Canyon area of the Los Padres National Forest. (Trail Canyon is near Hungry Valley and access to the location is only by motorcycle or hiking.)

Air Squad 9 arrived on scene and began a search for the victim in the area of Piru Creek and Trail Canyon. During the search, possible GPS coordinates were obtained from State Park Rangers. The victim was located shortly afterward at the base of a waterfall near the Castaic Mine. He was with several friends who were hiking with him and who called 911.

Due to the remote location of the victim Air Squad 9 could not land and had to hoist down the paramedic and crew chief. Once at the victim, it was discovered that the victim, Hugh Blanchard, was hiking with his friends when he fell approximately 50 feet. Blanchard sustained severe injuries as a result of the fall and was unconscious. The Sheriff’s Department’s paramedic and crew chief treated Blanchard, placed him on a backboard and then into a litter. With the help of Blanchard’s friends, he was moved to a location where he could be hoisted into the copter.

Air Squad 9 flew into position and completed the hoist rescue of Blanchard. He was flown to Simi Valley Hospital where his care was transferred to the waiting hospital staff.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
Martinez, Alex, Oxnard, CA, 18 years old
Islam, Babul “Samantha”, Oxnard, CA, 24 years old

On November 21, 2008, at about 10:30 A.M. an 18-year-old male and a 24-year-old female were arrested in Camarillo for suspicion of burglarizing a house at the 100 block of Flora Vista Ave., Camarillo.

The victim was home when she heard a series of knocks at the door. Although the victim ignored the knocking, she was able to hear them talking outside at the porch. After several minutes, the victim heard the suspects tamper with the window screen just outside the front door. The suspects removed part of the screen from its frame.

Before the suspects could gain complete entry, they were apparently startled and left the area. The victim immediately notified police and provided a description of both suspects to dispatch. When sheriff deputies arrived, they saw two subjects matching the description given by the victim. The suspects were detained and later identified by the victim. They were arrested and booked in the Ventura County Main Jail for residential burglary.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Camarillo Police would like to remind residents not to ignore someone knocking at their door. Please, acknowledge your presence to the person(s) without opening your door. If the person(s) at your door appear suspicious based on their actions or are not familiar to the area, notify police immediately.

Ventura County Fire Department

As the holiday season approaches, the Ventura County Fire Department is once again supporting the Spark of Love toy drive and asking citizens, businesses and organizations in the county to take part as well.

All Ventura County Fire Stations are drop-off points for new, unwrapped toys, sporting goods or educational supplies for the annual ABC 7 Firefighters’ “Spark of Love” Toy Drive. The program will run through December 24.
Gifts donated here stay here. The Ventura County Children’s Services Auxiliary will distribute items collected to those in need within Ventura County. Those wishing to make a monetary donation can make their checks payable to Children’s Services Auxiliary, tax-exempt #77-0054936.

Last year, 9,000 court-dependent children and children of low-income families in Ventura County received more than 34,000 toys and gifts through the program.

The Metrolink “Spark of Love” Holiday Train Express – a 450-ton train, decorated with garlands and more than 50,000 lights – will be making stops in Ventura County on Sunday, November 23, and Sunday, December 14.
Sunday, November 23

Simi Valley 5:00 – 5:45 pm
Sunday, December 14

Montalvo 5:00 – 5:30 pm

Oxnard 5:45 – 6:15 pm

Camarillo 6:30 – 7:00 pm

Moorpark 7:30 – 8:00 pm

There will be fire apparatus on display at all stops and firefighters will be there to greet people. The public is invited to bring out their donations, have a fun time and start the holiday season by giving to the less fortunate.

Those in need appreciate your generosity and the Ventura County Fire Department thanks you for your support.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

(S)uspects, City of residence, Age, Charges

Cortez, Manuel, Oxnard, 25 * Parole Violation warrant
* Felon in Possession of a Firearm
* Possession of a Silencer
* Felon in Possession of Ammunition
* Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance While in Possession of a Firearm.

During the second week of November, gang investigators began receiving reports that an El Rio Gang member was in possession of an assault rifle. Investigators learned that the subject was Manual Cortez. Cortez was on parole and currently wanted on a no bail warrant for violating his parole. He was listed as an “armed and dangerous” fugitive by the California Department of Corrections.

On 11-15-2008, Gang investigators found Cortez hiding in an apartment on Gonzales Road, Oxnard. He was taken into custody without incident. Cortez was found to be in possession of an assault rifle with a silencer. He was arrested for the above-listed charges and booked into the Ventura County Jail without bail.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit has arrested 26 people and seized 6 guns over the last week in an effort to reduce a spike in gang-related drive by shootings. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is committed to reducing gang violence in its jurisdiction through aggressive enforcement. Anyone having information on gang-related activity is encouraged to call the Gang Tip Hotline at 1-888-58GANGS.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit continued its anti-gang saturation patrol on Wednesday by arresting seven subjects and seizing one gun. This enforcement stance is an effort by the Sheriff’s Department to stem a recent spike in drive by shootings.

Previously on 11-9-2008, a 17 year-old male was one of 14 people arrested during a three day enforcement operation by the Sheriff’s Gang Unit. The 17 year old’s arrest began just before midnight when gang investigators saw three gang members in the 2900 block of Friedrich Rd. As gang investigators approached the three, two of the subjects ran. Deputies gave chase and caught the 17 year old a short distance away. During the arrest, the juvenile removed a gun from his waistband. He was disarmed by a deputy and taken into custody. The two others who fled were not apprehended at that time.

Follow-up investigation led deputies to identify one of the subjects that fled as Jorge Frutos Flores, who is on parole for grand theft auto. On Wednesday, gang investigators arrested Flores at his home for violating his parole by associating with gang members.

Investigators also contacted and arrested several gang associates of the 17-year-old male, including Jorge Jose Flores. Gang investigators went to Flores’ residence in Oxnard, in an attempt to serve a narcotics arrest warrant. Deputies knocked on the door and received no response. When they entered the home through the front door, Flores threw a loaded .45 caliber handgun and a box of ammunition out a bedroom window. Flores was arrested for the outstanding narcotics warrant and for being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm.

Also arrested during the enforcement efforts were Anthony Sotelo for a counterfeiting warrant, Andrew Lozano for a narcotics warrants, Gabriel Morales and Vincente Flores both for weapons charges, and James Campbell for a no-bail hate crime warrant.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Suspects, City of residence Age
Johnny Ballesteros, Oxnard 42
Cecilia Calderon, Oxnard 27
David Sinsun Oxnard, 24
Bernice Magallanes Port Hueneme, 34

The above listed suspects were all arrested after they cashed fraudulent checks in various jurisdictions of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. All of the checks utilized either the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Logo and account routing number or a fraudulent business name and the Sheriff’s Department account routing number. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Detective Rettura.

Ventura County Fire Department

September 22 was a typical Monday at Fire Station 32 in Newbury Park until a call came in reporting that an infant had stopped breathing. The 911 call set off a chain of events that would ultimately save the baby’s life.
Captain Rich Sauer, Engineer Cathy Schureman and Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Golden responded to the home of Jack and Tracy Garza near the intersection of Borchard Rd. and Wendy Dr. where they met the Garza’s two day-old baby boy who had stopped breathing.

Fire department dispatchers had been giving the family of little Ryland Garza instruction on CPR over the phone, but once he arrived on scene, Firefighter Golden began caring for Ryland. The firefighters took over CPR and monitored the little boy’s condition. CPR continued in the ambulance as he was being transported to Los Robles Hospital. Before the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Ryland’s color returned and he began taking spontaneous breaths. Emergency room doctors stabilized Ryland and continued his care.

Thanks to the knowledge, hard work and dedication of all the people involved in his care, Ryland was awake, moving around and eating well by the next Sunday when he was released from the hospital.

After hearing the news that the baby was well and being released, Golden said, “I am so excited about the good news. This type of call doesn’t always have a happy ending. We don’t get calls like this very often, and they’re very stressful, but this is where the advanced life support training we do really pays off.”

The fire department’s ongoing CPR training program is administered by department nurse Katy Hadduck and every CPR save is special to her.

“Our firefighters work so hard to save lives,” she said, “and sadly, sometimes they can’t. That’s why whenever we have a successful save like this, I go to the station and make a batch of my special French toast for the crew. It’s my way of saying, ‘nice job!’”

Hadduck and the crew from Engine 32 will be joined for breakfast tomorrow morning by the Garza family, including Ryland.

“Nothing makes breakfast taste better than celebrating a life,” said Hadduck.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 800 Block of Cummings Road, Santa Paula
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of residence Age
Alfonso Hernandez Santa Paula 75

During the last week of October 2008, detectives from the Sheriff’s Department Street Narcotics Enforcement Team observed what appeared to be narcotics sales occurring near Santa Paula High School. The suspect in these alleged sales was identified as Alfonso Hernandez, a 75-yearold resident of the unincorporated area of Ventura County near Santa Paula. On November 6, 2008, Hernandez was seen conducting what was believed to be narcotics sales in the City of Santa Paula and was detained by detectives. The subsequent search warrant served on Hernandez’ person, vehicle, and residence revealed 113 bindles of methamphetamine and cocaine. The combined weight of the narcotics was approximately 2 ounces with an estimated street value of $5,300.00. Hernandez was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and cocaine for sale, and he was booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Suspects, Charge, City of residence, Age
Carlos Arceo, Felony narcotics warrant, Oxnard, 30
Bryon Balard, Felony narcotics warrant, Oxnard, 41
Anita Cortez, Felony narcotics warant, Oxnard, 24
Sean Coulter, Felon in possession of gun, Oxnard, 27
Poss sawed off rifle
Poss firearm while under influence of methamphetamine
Amy Wilber, UI Methamphetamine, Oxnard, 21
Anthony Bates, Poss of narcotics, Oxnard, 33
Abel Estrada, Violation of parole, Oxnard, 50
UI methamphetamine
Mario Delgado, Felon in poss of ammunition, Oxnard, 43
Teresa McCall, Violation of parole, Oxnard, 46
Poss of narcotics
Adriane Bojorquez, UI narcotics, Oxnard, 27
Edward Velasquez, UI narcotics, Oxnard, 28
Violation of parole
Luis Uribe, Warrant, Oxnard, 21
Male Juvenile, Poss of concealed firearm, Oxnard, 17
Male Juvenile, Poss of concealed firearm, Oxnard, 17

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit made 14 arrests and seized 4 guns while patrolling areas recently hit by gang violence and investigating recent shootings . The saturation patrols are part of a response by the Sheriff’s Department aimed at reducing a recent increase in drive-by shootings. Over the last two weeks, five people have been shot in three drive-by shootings in the unincorporated area of El Rio and Saticoy. Gang investigators believe all three shootings are gang related.

On 11-6-2008, gang investigators went to a home in the 3600 blk of Nyeland in an attempt to arrest Carlos Arceo and Bryon Balard. Both had felony narcotics warrants for their arrest. Both subjects ran and were arrested after a short chase.

On 11-7-2008, gang investigators were assisting homicide detectives in the 100 blk of Juanita, Oxnard. During the investigation, Anita Cortez was arrested for an outstanding narcotics warrant. Gang investigators also recovered an assault rifle from the home.

Later that night, investigators went to the home of Sean Coulter in the 300 blk of Corsicana, El Rio. They discovered that Coulter was in possession of a sawed off rifle with a high capacity magazine. Coulter, who is a convicted felon, was also under the influence of methamphetamine. Investigators also arrested Coulter’s girlfriend, Amy Wilbur, for being under the influence of methamphetamine.

The following day, members of the Gang Unit arrested nine more individuals for a variety of charges, including two male juveniles who were in possession of concealed loaded firearms.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is committed to reducing gang violence in its jurisdiction.