Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 8/4/08, at about 0200 hours, the Thousand Oaks Police Department responded to an injury traffic collision at Moorpark Rd. and Janss Rd. When deputies arrived they found the victim unconscious and his motorcycle a short distance away on fire. Ventura County Fire and AMR arrived to assist the victim and he was transported to Los Robles Emergency room in critical condition.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was riding his motorcycle north on Moorpark Rd. at Janss Rd. when for an unknown reason the motorcycle struck the curb and the victim lost control. Both the motorcycle and the victim struck a nearby tree before coming to a stop. It appears that both speed and alcohol may be a factor in this collision.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Upper Ojai
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Narcotics / Air Unit / U.S. Forest Service

On Wednesday, July 24, 2008, Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators, in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Air Unit and the United States Forest Service, eradicated large-scale marijuana cultivation in the Los Padres National Forest north of the city of Ojai. Approximately 7,249 marijuana plants were eradicated with a potential street value of over 14 million dollars. The plants from this grow were later destroyed.

The multiple gardens were discovered earlier this month during aerial reconnaissance and were located in a drainage area stretching roughly from Wheeler Gorge Campground to Rose Valley. Three makeshift campsites used by the growers were found in the canyon. Each campsite was littered with trash and debris, irrigation pipe, camping equipment, and chemicals used in fertilizing the plants. This type of activity found at these grow sites is known to cause significant damage to the environment, e.g., stream deviation, tree and brush cutting and removal, landscape terracing, etc.

It is believed those responsible for this grow are tied to a drug trafficking organization; however, no arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.

The Sheriff’s Department would also like to remind the public of the potential danger to anyone who might accidentally come across one of these illegal marijuana grow sites. If anyone has information concerning a marijuana grow, please contact your local law enforcement agency or Crime Stoppers if you would like to remain anonymous.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 494-TALK (Thousand Oaks / Moorpark) or 385-TALK in other areas.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Date of arrest: 7/24/2008
Location of Crime: Camarillo, Ca
Suspect: Dennis Bordelon (58 years) of Thousand Oaks, Ca
Unit Responsible: Major Crimes Bureau – Sexual Assault Unit

On July 24, 2008 detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department arrested Dennis Bordelon for PC 288(a) – Lewd Act Upon a Child. Bordelon was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility with a bail amount $500,000.00.

During the investigation it was learned that Bordelon, who currently lives in the City of Thousand Oaks, previously lived in the City of Camarillo and was involved with various youth sports and youth activities in the Camarillo area between 1999 and 2005. Detectives are very concerned there could be other victims of molestation. Anyone who may have been victimized or has knowledge of crimes by Bordelon is urged to call Detective Guy Peach of the Major Crimes Bureau at (805) 477-7000.

California Highway Patrol

On July 25, 2008 at approximately 9:50 a.m. a fatal injury traffic collision involving a Kenworth truck tractor and a Honda motorcycle occurred on US 101 northbound, north of the East Main Street under-crossing.

Javier R. Tamayo, age 27 from Camarillo, CA, was driving his Kenworth truck tractor on US 101 northbound in the right lane and was north of the East main Street undercrossing.

An adult male motorcyclist was riding his 2004 Honda Shadow in an undetermined lane, and was also traveling northbound on the US 101. For reasons unknown at this time, the truck tractor and the motorcycle came into contact with each other. The impact caused the motorcycle to flip onto its side. The rider was ejected
from the motorcycle and onto the roadway where he sustained major injuries. Both the truck tractor and the motorcycle came to rest blocking the right lane of the freeway.

Officers from the California Highway Patrol quickly responded to the collision area. The rider of the motorcycle was subsequently pronounced deceased by emergency personnel at the scene. Javier Tamayo, who was the driver of the truck tractor, was uninjured. The right lane of US 101, north of the East Main Street under-crossing, was
closed for several hours while officers conducted their investigation.

The name of the deceased party is not yet releasable as the incident is still under investigation at this time. Any drivers who may have witnessed the collision are asked to call the California Highway Patrol at (805) 477-4100.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff’s Department’s, Headquarters Patrol Station has noticed an increase in burglaries from vehicles along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and the Rincon Parkway. This area consists of PCH from Emma Wood State Beach to Seacliff.

The suspects are breaking windows to vehicles and taking property and valuables. Some of the property is in plain sight, such as a purse, wallet or laptop on a seat. Other items were hidden under seats or covered in an attempt to conceal them.

These burglaries can be decreased and possibly stopped completely if the persons leaving their vehicles do not leave their valuables inside their cars. If it is imperative to leave valuables inside the vehicle, put them in the trunk prior to arriving at the beach. It appears the suspects are watching as people hide items under their seats.

Anyone having information regarding these type of crimes is urged to contact Sheriff’s Detectives at (805) 662-6770.

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).

Senator Barbara Boxer
US Senator from California

Over the last month, more than 2,000 fires sparked by dry lightning storms and arson raged across drought-ridden land in California. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in twelve counties, and President Bush declared a federal emergency in eleven. Overall, fires have burned across more than 950,000 acres of public and private land so far this fire season. This is the most acreage ever burned in recorded state history.

In the fight against these fires support has come from all quarters, including the National Guards of eleven states, the United States Marine Corps and Navy, even NASA. And we have received welcome international assistance from our allies in Australia, New Zealand, Greece and Canada.

But I want to give special thanks to the more than 19,000 local, state and federal firefighters who have put their lives on the line over the last several weeks and continue to do so to fight these fires and protect our communities.

The people of California owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of CalFire and the US Forest Service as well as the California National Guard and all of the local fire departments who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in fighting these fires.

Their courage and swift action during this recent series of firestorms have been truly heroic. They have risked their health and well-being for the benefit of our communities, and we are grateful.

Some 330 firefighter injuries have been reported in just the past few weeks, a testament to the great personal risk these men and women undertake every day.

I am sad to report that these fires have claimed the life of one of our firefighters. Robert Roland, who had been with the Anderson Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Mendocino County for only three months, passed away on July 3, 2008 battling wildfires near the town of Philo. He was 63 years old.

Mr. Roland was a volunteer fire fighter. One of America’s greatest strengths is its spirit of volunteerism, and nowhere is that spirit more evident than in the tradition of volunteer firefighting.

We mourn his loss, and we remember and give thanks for his selfless efforts and those of all the firefighters – volunteer and professional – who put their lives on the line throughout California.

The scale of these fires so early in the year is a stark reminder that we cannot afford to shortchange our fire preparedness. I will continue to work to ensure that firefighters have the resources they need to effectively protect our communities.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff Bob Brooks is pleased to announce the promotions of three veterans of the department effective August 10, 2008. Commander Marty Rouse will be promoted to Chief Deputy, Captain Guy Stewart will be promoted to Commander, and Sergeant Bill Ayub will be promoted to Captain.

Chief Deputy Marty Rouse: Marty will have 30 years with the Sheriffs Department this October. Upon his promotion, Marty will assume leadership of the Support Services Division, which has two main components, Professional Standards and Human Resources.

Marty has worked a multitude of assignments throughout his career including Commander of the Professional Standards Bureau, Commander at the East and West County Patrol Stations, Commander of the Court Services Bureau, Chief of Police of the City of Moorpark, and manager of the Regional Training Center (Academy). He holds a bachelor of science degree in administration of justice and master’s degree in public administration from California Lutheran University.

Marty is one of the department’s experts in incident command management for both disasters and preplanned events. Some of the events he has been involved with include the planning and implementation of the security plan for the Ronald Regan funeral and unveiling of Air Force One at the Reagan Library. He also has been an incident commander under a unified command model during several major wildfires, the most notable being the Day Fire in September 2006, which lasted almost two weeks.

Marty and his wife, Jane, have been married 28 years. They have two sons and a daughter, Christopher (22), Brian (20), and Kelsey (10). Marty enjoys spending time with his family and is very active in the community. He enjoys mentoring young people and participating in their development. He coaches the Moorpark Striders, a track and field team for girls ages 10-12 that competes locally throughout the county. His daughter, Kelsey, is a member of the Striders. Marty is a member of the California Lutheran University Community Leaders Organization, a group that strives to promote the well-being of the university. He is also an active member of the Moorpark Presbyterian Church.

When Marty was asked what brings him the most satisfaction in a career setting, he replied, “Seeing young people that I’ve had the opportunity to work with as young deputies assuming ranks in management.”

Commander Guy Stewart: Guy is a 24-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department. Upon his promotion, he will become the Commander of Professional Standards within the department’s Support Services Division. Professional Standards encompasses the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Regional Training Center.

Guy is currently assigned to Special Services/Major Crimes, which conducts and maintains oversight of investigations involving homicide, robbery, sexual assault, significant fraud, and agricultural crimes. He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from the University of North Dakota.

During his 24 years with the Sheriff’s Department, Commander Stewart’s assignments have included Detention Services, West County Patrol, Narcotics, Camarillo Detectives/Special Enforcement Detail (SED), Patrol Watch Commander, and Detention Services Administrative Support where he managed the budget of the Pre-Trial Detention facility. Guy was a member of the Todd Road Jail transition team in 1994. He was instrumental in writing jail policy and job description responsibilities prior to the opening of the jail. He also, while working as both the detective and SED supervisor in Camarillo, drafted a proposal that ultimately led to the fulfillment of a full-time Graffiti Investigator position. Commander Stewart is a recognized drug expert and taught at the Sheriff’s Regional Training Center in addition to performing as the Range Cadre Coordinator for many years. Throughout Guy’s career, he has been recognized as a high achiever and continues to serve the Department with distinction while building positive partnerships with the residents of Ventura County.

Captain Bill Ayub: Bill has been with the Sheriff’s Department since 1992. He also has law enforcement experience with other police agencies including four years with the North Las Vegas Police Department. Upon his promotion, Bill will serve as a one of the department’s six patrol watch commanders. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University Northridge and a master’s degree in emergency services administration from the University of Long Beach.

Bill currently is assigned as the Administrative Sergeant at the Headquarters Station. He has extensive experience in investigations as well as SWAT operations. He has previously been assigned as a supervisor in the department’s Major Crimes Homicide and Sexual Assault Unit, and has worked as an investigator at the Camarillo Station. Bill is extremely well respected throughout the department for his professionalism, tactical knowledge, and investigative abilities.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Results from an ongoing investigation and tips from local citizens recently led to the arrests of 6 individuals related to the thefts from vehicles and burglaries of vehicles. All the suspects lived in the Newbury Park or Thousand Oaks area. Two of the arrestees were adults. Tyler O’Green (18yrs) was arrested on numerous felony charges for committing the actual thefts and Kathleen Dedrud (35 yrs) was arrested for using one of the stolen credit cards after the fact. The other 4 were juveniles ranging from 12-16 years, and were responsible for the actual thefts from the vehicles and vehicle burglaries.

During the months of June and July of 2008, The Newbury Park area had seen an increase in thefts/burglaries from vehicles. The crimes were occurring in residential areas between midnight and four in the morning. Many of the vehicles targeted were left unlocked with valuables left inside. Some vehicles were locked but had property left in plain view, resulting in a window being broken by the suspects to steal the property. Items taken were purses, wallets, GPS systems, laptop computers, IPODs, Cell phones/chargers and U.S. currency.

On June 11, 2008, Deputy Probation Officer Monica Rodrigues was severely injured when she was hit by a rock while traveling on the 101 Freeway. The large rock was thrown from the overpass at Wendy Drive in Newbury Park. Monica was struck on the head and had to undergo emergency brain surgery to remove bone fragments. Doctors had to install a titanium plate in her head and she is still recovering from her injuries.

Monica’s family, co-workers, a local business and Crime Stoppers have currently pledged a reward of $6,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this crime.

Please contact the California Highway Patrol at 553-0800 if you have any information about this incident. If you would like to contribute to the reward, additional donations are welcome and can be made by contacting Russ Whitmeyer at 432-0054.

Monica’s extended family at the Ventura County Probation Agency is asking for the community’s help to identify and bring to justice the person responsible for her injuries.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On April 7, 2008, a victim reported she met with Joseph Niles, a 36-year-old male from the City of Moorpark. Niles claimed he was a certified fitness/Pilates instructor and massage therapist operating a business under the name of Quantum Fitness. During a consultation, Niles talked the victim into having a massage and sexually assaulted the victim while she was asleep. Niles was arrested on 07/03/2008 for the sexual assault.

Investigators discovered that Niles was operating his business out of his residence, located in the City of Moorpark. The business was being operated without a permit or business license, although he explained to clients that he operated a professionally licensed facility. Niles also made visits to clients’ residences for private lessons. Niles is also known to frequent tanning salons in the local area to solicit business from employees and customers.

There have been additional reports of suspicious activity involving Niles in the Simi Valley area. Anyone with any information about Niles is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Department at 805-494-8201 or their local police agency.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Search Warrant Locations:
1)11000 Block Aster, Saticoy
2)11400 Block Nardo Street, Saticoy (2 separate residences)
3)1200 Block Alelia Street, Saticoy
4)11000 Block Violeta Street, Saticoy
5)900 Block Olympia Avenue, Ventura.

(S)uspects, Charge, Arrest location, Age
Male Juvenile, Robbery/Street Terrorism, Saticoy, 15
Male Juvenile, Robbery/Street Terrorism, Saticoy, 15
Male Juvenile, Robbery/Street Terrorism, Saticoy, 17
Male Juvenile, Resist Arrest, Saticoy, 16
Andres Orozco, Robbery/Street Terrorism, Saticoy, 20
Ruben Arroyo, Robbery/Street Terrorism, Saticoy, 38
Martin Santillan, Robbery/Street Terrorism, Saticoy, 24
Male Juvenile, Warrant, Saticoy, 16
Male Juvenile, Violation of Probation, Saticoy, 17
Robert Ortiz, Violation of Parole, Saticoy, 24
Frank Favela, Narcotics Possession, Saticoy, 21
Matthew Forrest, Influence of Narcotics, Saticoy, 19
Ruth Ortiz, Influence of Narcotics, Saticoy, 37
Allison Guasardo, Possession of Narcotics, Saticoy, 18
Ronald Rowlett, Marijuana Cultivation, Saticoy, 48
Bobby Hawlet, Influence of Narcotics, Saticoy, 50
Dante Acosta, Influence of Narcotics, Saticoy, 29
Sheri Navarro, Influence of Narcotics, El Rio, 43
Edwin Rockenbach, Narcotics Possession, El Rio, 42
Jose Valencia, Influence of Narcotics, El Rio, 48
Rafael Hernandez, Influence of Narcotics, El Rio, 43
Alfonso Munoz, Unlicensed Driver, El Rio, 36
Sergio Ramirez, Unlicensed Driver, El Rio, 21
Margarito Rodriguez, Unlicensed Driver, El Rio, 27
Jay Moure, Warrants, El Rio, 28
Joshua Calderon, Influence of Narcotics, El Rio, 20
Charles Calderon, Influence of Narcotics, El Rio, 22
Ekve Chavez, Influence of Narcotics, Nyeland Acres, 24
Nadia Castaneda, Influence of Narcotics, Nyeland Acres, 19
Daniel Altamirano, Influence of Narcotics, Nyeland Acres, 26
Jesse Kehoe, Violation of Parole, Nyeland Acres, 23
Joseph Saldivar, Possession Deadly Weapon, Nyeland Acres, 20
Daniel Valles, Influence of Narcotics, Nyeland Acres, 29

On 7-18-2008, The Ventura County Sheriff’s Gang Unit led a multi agency enforcement sweep in the communities of Saticoy, El Rio and Nyeland Acres. The Sheriff’s Department planned the sweep in an effort to reduce violent crime in its jurisdiction.

Beginning at 1400 hours, over 30 uniformed deputies assisted by five members of the Ventura Police Gang Unit, served 6 search warrants in the City of Ventura and the community of Saticoy. The search warrants were part of an investigation into two recent Saticoy gang related robberies.

At 1800 hours, an additional 40 law enforcement officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Oxnard Police Department, California Department of Correction, Ventura County Probation, and Department of Homeland Security began conducting probation and parole searches in the communities of Saticoy, El Rio, and Nyeland Acres. The operation included Law Enforcement officers on horseback and motorcycles.

During the two operations, law enforcement officers went to more than 70 homes to conduct searches, seized ammunition, recovered one sawed off shotgun, and arrested 33 individuals for a variety of crimes.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is committed to reducing crime in its jurisdiction and aggressively investigates all gang related crimes.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

(S)uspect, Age, City of Residence
Baltazar, Islas, 17, Oxnard

(V)ictims, Age, City of Residence
Male, 16, Oxnard
Male, 15, Oxnard

On July 16, 2008, 17-year-old Baltazar Islas was charged with Street Terrorism and Assault with a Firearm in Ventura County Superior Court. Islas will be tried as an adult for his part in a drive-by shooting that occurred in the community of Nyeland Acres in May 2008.

On May 20, 2008, a vehicle carrying at least two occupants drove to the 3400 block of Orange Drive, Nyeland Acres and stopped in front of a group of juveniles playing basketball in a private residential driveway. An unknown assailant got out of the vehicle and fired two rounds from a shotgun at the juveniles. The shotgun pellets struck the two juvenile victims at which time the vehicle and its occupants fled the area. The victims were transported to the hospital where they were treated and released.

Sheriff’s Gang Investigators developed information implicating Baltazar Islas as the driver of the suspect vehicle. On Friday, July 11, 2008, gang investigators obtained a search warrant for Baltazar’s residence in the 300 block of Anita Street in the City of Oxnard. During the service of the search warrant, gang investigators recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition. Gang investigators believe the weapon recovered was the one used in the drive-by shooting. Islas was arrested that night and lodged at the Juvenile Justice Center for assault with a firearm.

See YouTube Video of Crew in Action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6EqwtdHRFI

A day after receiving U.S. Forest Service certification, a newly-minted California Conservation Corps fire crew was on the front lines, putting its skills to work.

The initial attack crew is in addition to the 73 CCC crews -- more than 800 corpsmembers -- currently providing logistical support at 18 U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE fire camps throughout California. This is the largest CCC fire response in the program’s history.

The newly certified crew of 20 corpsmembers, headed by the CCC’s Shawn Fry of Redding, was dispatched to the Motion Fire in Shasta County within hours. Carrying 40-pound packs and armed with axes or chainsaws, the young men and women were assigned to cut fire breaks for a 24-hour shift.

Twenty-year-old Brian Blanchard reflected on his first fire. “It’s hot and I’m sweating like crazy and I’ve got blisters on my feet,” he said. “It’s hard work but you tough it out and keep working.... I love what I’m doing.”

“Our corpsmembers are highly motivated and hard-working,” said crew boss Fry. “We look forward to training more to fight fires during this fire season.”

CCC Communications Director Jimmy Camp participated in the rigorous U.S. Forest Service fire training with the Redding crew, was certified, and joined them on the Shasta County fire.

“I couldn’t be more impressed, seeing these corpsmembers battle the fire on the front lines,” Camp said. “We can add more of these highly-trained crews to the state’s fire resources before the summer is out.”

After coming off their first 24-hour fire stint, the corpsmembers were thanked by Gov. Schwarzenegger at the Shasta County Fairgrounds..

The California Conservation Corps, created in 1976, hires young women and men for a year of environmental work and emergency response. Typical projects include building parks and trails, planting trees, improving fish and wildlife habitat and much more. The CCC has responded to nearly every major wildfire since the program was established, and also helps with forest rehabilitation efforts when the fires are out.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On July 15, 2008, Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives concluded a 2-month marijuana cultivation investigation with the seizure of over 14,000 marijuana plants. During a reconnaissance flight in early May, a marijuana cultivation operation was found in the Gold Hill area of Eastern Ventura County. This area is located west of the Hungary Valley State Off Highway Vehicle Park, on the Northern slope of Alamo Mountain. At this time, the marijuana plants were in clusters of germination containers and had not yet been planted in the ground.

During the investigation, detectives observed food drops where those working in the gardens were restocked with food and other essentials. On July 11, 2008, during one of the food drops, Anguino and Lucatero were arrested for conspiracy to cultivate marijuana. Both were booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail.

On July 15, 2008, the marijuana was eradicated by members of the Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit, Air Unit, Gang Unit and S.W.A.T. Team, the United States Forest Service, and California State Park Rangers. In the last two months the marijuana plants had grown to a height of two feet to 8 feet in length. The plants were found in several drainages and hillsides not ravaged by the Day Fire, which occurred in September 2006. No suspects were located in the gardens. The marijuana plants which had a street value of $28,000,000.00 were removed and destroyed at an off site location. Investigation to continue.

Monday, July 21, 2008 9:00 a.m.

Current Situation: Over two thousand fires have been contained through the endless firefighting efforts of state, local and federal personnel and equipment from California, the rest of the nation and several foreign countries. Isolated thunderstorms are expected this afternoon over the northern and eastern mountains. Isolated showers and thunderstorms expected over the mountains and deserts of Southern California east of the Cajon Pass today. Firefighting priorities are the protection of life, property and natural resources.

Statistics:

Fires:
· Peak Fires: 2,096
· Contained: 2,063
· Active: 33
Acres: 953,907
Personnel Committed: 15,573
Resources Committed:
Engines: 845
Crews: 404
Dozers: 133
Water Tenders: 247
Helicopters: 90

Items of Interest:
Highway closures: Travel on state highways, county and local roads remains restricted throughout California due to wildfire and flood activities. All major roads are now open except for periodic closures on State Highway 299. Travelers are advised to seek current information on secondary road closures from local law enforcement.

Evacuations: Areas of Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lake and Mendocino counties are under evacuation orders at this time. Precautionary evacuation orders currently exist in areas in Monterey and Trinity counties. Residents are advised to monitor their local fire situation, check with local law enforcement agencies for information, and be prepared to evacuate when necessary.

Structures:
Threatened: 4,958 residences, 139 commercial, 2,166 outbuildings.
Destroyed: 123 residences, 1 commercial, 138 outbuildings.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today ordered an additional 2,000 California National Guard (CNG) personnel to complete firefighter training, boosting the state’s firefighting forces to battle the state’s ongoing fires and to prepare for the threat of additional fires over the next several months. These personnel will be trained in phases to stand ready for deployment as requested by the state's California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Yesterday, the federal government committed to sending out-of-state firefighters to train these additional CNG personnel on critical firefighting techniques. Since July 1, the Governor has directed more than 400 CNG soldiers to be trained and deployed to fires across the state.

“I am ordering 2,000 additional California National Guard personnel to boost our firefighting forces,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “We already have 400 guard members on the front lines, and once these new troops are trained and certified, they will be ready to pitch in at a moment’s notice throughout the fire season.”

The CNG, with support from neighboring states’ National Guard and reserve forces, currently has the following resources allocated to the state’s firefighting efforts:

· The CNG has to date mobilized more than 1,000 personnel to provide support to the ongoing firefighting effort, including more than 400 personnel assigned to hand crews working alongside other firefighters.

· There are currently 22 rotary-wing aircraft supporting the firefighting effort, including 14 CNG helicopters and eight helicopters from Utah, Nebraska, Washington, Arizona and Oregon. To date, these rotary-wing aircraft have dropped nearly 3 million gallons of water.

· CNG is also providing the following fixed-wing aircraft in support of the wildfires: one C-130J support aircraft for personnel and equipment transport and one RC-26 providing aerial imagery support.

· In addition to California aircraft, there are currently eight C-130H cargo aircraft equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) that are assisting from other states. These MAFFS equipped aircraft—three from the North Carolina Air National Guard, three from the Colorado Air Force Reserve and two from the Wyoming Air National Guard—are capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of water or retardant per mission. To date, they have dropped nearly one million gallons of retardant.

In addition to CNG personnel, more firefighting resources are responding to California from outside the United States to assist in the unified fight against this unprecedented wildfire siege. More relief is on the way from Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

“Everyone is working together. Local, state and federal officials, and we are even getting international help,” Governor Schwarzenegger said.

The Mexican government is sending 90 firefighters, five fire crews and five fire engines to aid in California’s firefighting efforts. Canada is sending four more air tankers and two lead planes to bolster support from the air, and ground troops will get aid in the form of 40 additional firefighters from New Zealand and Australia.

Earlier this week, Governor Schwarzenegger sent a letter to President Bush requesting additional federal resources that California urgently needs to fight the ongoing wildfires and prepare for more expected lightning strikes. Following up to his letter, the Governor yesterday spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff who promised to provide additional federal resources as soon as possible.

This multi-national effort is being coordinated through each country's government, the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Governor's Office of Emergency Services and CAL FIRE. The resources will be deployed throughout the state based on the ongoing needs of the more than 300 active fires still burning throughout the state and in preparation for future fires.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Area of Appian Way and Roman Avenue, Camarillo
Date & Time: July 13, 2008 @ 12:42 a.m.

Victim / Witnesses / Suspects: Age City of residence
(V-1): Jose Luis Castro (Deceased) 20 Camarillo
(V-2): Male Adult (Name Withheld) 25 Camarillo
(V-3): Male Adult (Name Withheld) 23 Oxnard

A party, primarily consisting of young adult males, was occurring in the 1800 block of Roman Avenue in Camarillo. A group of uninvited guests arrived and were eventually asked to leave. While this was occurring, the uninvited group became involved in a confrontation in the street with another group associated with the party.

During the confrontation, Jose Luis Castro was stabbed multiple times in the chest area by an unidentified suspect from the uninvited group. Castro staggered across the street to the parking lot of Dos Caminos School, located at 3635 Appian Way. Castro was apparently trying to enter a pickup truck belonging to Victim #3, but collapsed on the ground near the vehicle. Sheriff’s deputies responded within two minutes and immediately began CPR. Emergency Medical Services arrived shortly thereafter. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and Mr. Castro was pronounced dead at 12:52 am.

During this same incident, Victim #2 was assaulted by an unidentified suspect and received a relatively minor laceration to the forehead area, which required sutures. Victim #2 was treated at Saint John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital. Additionally, an unidentified suspect threw a brick through the windshield of the pickup truck belonging to Victim #3 just prior to the stabbing. All suspects responsible for these crimes are believed to be associated with the uninvited group of partygoers. At this time it has not been determined if this incident is gang related. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit at (805) 477-7000.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 13000 block of Westpoint Street, Moorpark, CA
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age
(V) Female Moorpark 24
(S) Ross, John Timothy Las Vegas, Nevada 42

On July 11, 2008, at 4:54 A.M., Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the City of Moorpark responded to the area of Peach Hill in response to a 9-1-1 call from a female who said she was being attacked. The line was then disconnected. At about 5:08 A.M. deputies located a nude female wrapped in a window curtain on Peach Hill Road at Honeybee. The female told the deputies that she had been raped. The victim was able to direct the deputies to a house in the 13000 block of Westpoint Street, Moorpark, where she said the assault occurred.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes detectives assigned to the East County Station responded to interview the victim while detectives assigned to the Moorpark Station responded to watch the house for the purpose of locating the suspect.

At about 10:30 A.M., patrol deputies and detectives assigned to the Moorpark Police Department contacted John Timothy Ross at the residence on Westpoint. Ross was living at the residence while remodeling it. Ross was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Department East County Station and interviewed by Major Crimes Detectives.

Ross was booked into the East County Jail for seven felonies related to unlawful sexual conduct. His bail is set at $250,000.00.

At about 5:30 P.M. personnel from the Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant at the house on Westpoint Street. During the search that followed detectives recovered the victim’s clothing along with numerous other pieces of evidence.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent the following letter to President Bush requesting additional federal resources that California urgently needs to fight the ongoing wildfires and prepare for more lightning strikes later this week.

The request includes:
· Federal active duty forces to provide additional Type II firefighting handcrews to meet shortages;
· Additional out-of-state federal firefighters available to provide training for National Guard personnel as Type II handcrews; and
· Increasing the “Maximum Efficiency Level” (MEL) for the U.S. Forest Service to 100 percent.

Text of the letter:
July 9, 2008

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,
As you know, California is in the midst of battling unprecedented wildfires that have stretched our state’s firefighting resources to their limit and placed thousands of Californians in immediate danger. On the heels of lightning storms in June that ignited more than 1,700 fires across the state, we now face extremely high temperatures and increased fuel loads that are exacerbating fire conditions and putting our communities and firefighters and other first responders at risk. With more lightning storms forecast for later this week, we sit at a critical tipping point in California that requires immediate federal help and aggressive pre-positioning of federal resources.

While significant federal support has come to California – including your federal emergency declaration of June 28 and the ongoing efforts by federal firefighters who are working heroically alongside state and local firefighters – we continue to face shortages of federal assets. It is with the greatest urgency that I bring this issue to your attention and urge your immediate action.

As of July 8, 2008 California had placed requests for the following assets with the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho: 302 hand crews; 41 helicopters; 616 fire engines; and 773 support personnel. In addition, we are calling on NIFC daily for additional air tankers that are critical to suppressing the flames. These numbers change daily based on the current fire status; I ask that you direct your federal agencies, working through the NIFC, to make all requested assets available to California.

I extend California’s thanks to the National Guard and the U.S. Department of Defense for making key aviation assets available to California. To date, I have ordered hundreds of California National Guardsmen to the firefighting front lines and anticipate calling up more. However, California’s troops can only absorb so much of this responsibility while maintaining their ability to respond to the additional requirements of the existing fire emergency and other potential missions and emergencies. Consequently, I respectfully request federal active duty forces to provide additional Type II firefighting handcrews to meet our shortages. I also request that the federal government make additional out-of-state federal firefighters available to provide training for National Guard personnel as Type II handcrews. We cannot spare the in-state firefighting resources necessary to train this key resource.

I also request that, for the current fire season, the federal government increase the “Maximum Efficiency Level” (MEL) for the U.S. Forest Service to 100 percent, and that you personally ensure that federal incident commanders can make strategic and operational decisions to protect life and property based on operational need without fiscal pressure from your Office of Management and Budget.

Of the 100 million acres in California, one third are protected by local government, one third are protected by the state and one third are protected by the federal government. As you know, this shared stewardship for California’s land brings both significant opportunity and enormous responsibility.

A high level of federal, state and local government cooperation is the key to success in battling California’s wildfires and protecting the people, property and natural resources in the Golden State. On behalf of California, I thank you for your efforts to help us protect our communities and our emergency responders.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger

cc: The Honorable Michael Chertoff
The Honorable Ed Schafer
General Victor E. Renuart, Jr., USAF
Members of the California Congressional Delegation