Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. Graffiti may also be the catalyst for additional, more serious crimes affecting our communities. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners, and taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to responding to public concerns in a manner that builds confidence in our agency and strengthens relationships to empower businesses and residents to be the eyes and ears of the community.
Over the course of the last six months, suspects from a Fillmore tagging crew committed multiple graffiti vandalisms throughout the county areas and cities of Fillmore, Moorpark, and Camarillo. Patrol personnel from the various stations and county resources responded to several crime scenes, confirmed the vandalisms, and estimated the damage to be in thousands of dollars.
Over the course of the investigation, patrol worked with the Fillmore Detective Unit and identified several suspects involved. The suspects are affiliated with a tagging crew from Fillmore.
Fillmore patrol personnel collaborated with the Fillmore Detective Unit and obtained a search warrant for three suspects and their residences. On 09/10/2026, personnel from Fillmore patrol, Fillmore Detective Unit, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, Moorpark Special Enforcement Unit, and the Gun Violence Reduction Program Unit executed search warrants at three locations in Fillmore. As a result, additional evidence linking the suspects to the graffiti vandalisms was located. Additionally, (S) Davis Flores, a 24-year-old Fillmore resident and (S) Manuel Alpinar, a 22-year-old Fillmore resident were arrested for a felonious violation of Penal Code § 182(a)(1) – [Criminal Conspiracy] along with multiple counts of Penal Code § 594(b)(1) – [Felony Graffiti Vandalism]. They were both booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility pending court proceedings. The third suspect, (S) Jesus Canchola, was arrested, cited and released for the same violations since he was believed to be a juvenile at the time of the vandalisms.
The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and
vehicles, and to promptly report any graffiti they come across by calling our dispatch center at (805) 654-9511. Following a police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to any crimes is urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station at (805) 524-2233 or the listed detectives below. The reporting party may remain anonymous.
Graffiti Removal
The City of Fillmore removes all graffiti in public areas by either painting over it or by using a power washer, depending upon the location of the graffiti. Residents are encouraged to call the city graffiti hotline at (805) 524-1500, prompt number 4, then 3. Additionally, private property owners are encouraged to help combat vandalism by removing any graffiti visible on their properties.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and @FILLMOREPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
News Release Date: 09/10/2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
Booking Photo Release: NO
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Nature of Incident: Fillmore Taggers Arrested
Report Number: 26-88668
Location: Multiple Locations in Fillmore, Camarillo, & Moorpark
Date & Time: 09/10/2026
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Detective Unit, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, Moorpark Special Enforcement Unit, Gun Violence Reduction Program Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(V) Community Residents & Businesses, Ventura County
(S) Davis Flores, Fillmore, 24
(S) Manuel Apolinar, Fillmore, 22
(S) Jesus Canchola, Fillmore, 18
***
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).

Members Jake and Ellis compete during the Fillmore/Piru Horseshoe Club’s first tournament at Britt Park in Piru. The club has made the park its home while working alongside the Piru Petroleum Club.
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Interested in having good fun with family and friends? Interested in giving back to the community? Contact us and see if the Fillmore/Piru horseshoe Club is for you. Above, Timmy Alamillo competes in the Fillmore/Piru Horseshoe Tournament.
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Anthony Sandoval
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Rick Vais
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Willy Leighton
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A new local tradition is taking shape as the Fillmore/Piru Horseshoe Club brings friends, families and horseshoe enthusiasts together in the community.
Founded in 2026, the club was created with a simple goal: to enjoy good competition, make new friends and build something positive for the Fillmore and Piru communities. After recently holding its first membership sign-ups, the club has already grown to more than 40 members.
The club’s founding members are Rick Vais, Kenny Spiker, Anthony Sandoval, Timmy Allamillo, Willy Leighton, Jesse Alvary, Jake Ellis and Gene Cabral.
The club plans to host regular horseshoe tournaments and events while promoting friendly competition, sportsmanship and a welcoming atmosphere for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re an experienced horseshoe pitcher or have never thrown a shoe before, the club hopes to provide a place where everyone can have a good time.
The Fillmore/Piru Horseshoe Club also hopes to give back to the community by supporting local youth sports, high-school organizations and scholarships.
The club has found its home at Britt Park in Piru, working alongside the Piru Petroleum Club. Together, the organizations are building a place where families and friends can gather, compete and enjoy the community for years to come.
For membership information, please email fphorseshoes@gmail.com or follow the Fillmore/Piru Horseshoe Club on Instagram.
Good friends. Good times. It’s a family tradition.

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For the past week, city workers have been repairing a section of sidewalk along B Street near the Edison Building. On Wednesday morning, September 16, workers poured new concrete, and the sidewalk should be good as new soon. Photo credit Gazette Staff.

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Join volunteers throughout Ventura County for Ventura County Coastal Cleanup Day and help protect our community and local waterways! Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Fillmore Bike Path behind Shiells Park. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing. Cleanup equipment will be provided by the event organizers. Every piece of litter removed makes a difference. Bring your family and friends and help us keep Fillmore clean and beautiful! Inset is a map for the volunteer meet-up location. The event will take place on September 19, from 9am to noon. Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1478 704380956796&set=pcb.1478704420956792.

Come and discover how artifacts from the Rancho Cumulus Museum became part of an exhibit in the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington DC in 2017.

On September 26 at 1:00 PM at the Rancho Camulos Museum join Dr. Margie Brown-Coronel as she shares the story of how artifacts from that museum became part of an exhibit called “Many Voices One Nation” in the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington D.C. in 2017.
That ongoing exhibit traces the 500-year journey of diverse cultures meeting and shaping American society. Within the exhibit, in the historical period about “Incorporating Western Lands”, the “Mexican California “segment is represented by the Spanish Mexican del Valle family. The del Valle’s had received the 1839 Mexican Land Grant of 48,000-acre Rancho San Francisco and then later they lived and preserved their culture at their rancho in the westernmost portion of that area known as Camulos.
Dr. Brown-Coronel who is currently an Associate Professor of History at California State University Fullerton played a major role in getting that story and the collection of Camulos artifacts from numerous sources included in the exhibit. Her other current research interests explore the intersection of Public History and US Latina History.
Tickets for the presentation are available online at ranchocamulos.org and at the door. The museum is located at 5164 E Telegraph Rd, Piru. Additional information about the artifacts from the museum that are included in the exhibit at the Smithsonian are on the museum website as well as on SCVhistory.com.

At last week’s meeting, Kyle Wilson presented the Paul Harris Award to former Fillmore Rotary Club President Scott Beylik. The award marks Beylik’s fourth Paul Harris recognition. Pictured (l-r) are President John Garnica, Rotary members Scott Beylik and Kyle Wilson. Photo credit Martha Richardson.

On 09/02/2026, (S) Kristian Morfin was arrested for a felony warrant for his involvement in a shooting back on 03/16/2025 in Fillmore.
On 03/16/2025, at about 8:35 PM, diligent members of the community reported shots being fired near Goodenough Road at 4th Street in Fillmore. This area is near a neighborhood park which had juveniles in the park. One of the witnesses reported a male subject exited a vehicle and chased another vehicle moments before a gunshot. Within minutes, deputies from the Fillmore Patrol Station arrived on scene and located evidence confirming a shooting had occurred.
The Fillmore Detective Unit assumed the investigation and with assistance from the community, were able to identify a suspect as (S) Kristian Morfin. Morfin is a known criminal street gang member from Fillmore.
On 05/08/2025, detectives obtained a search warrant for Morfin, his residence, and his vehicle. The following day, on 05/09/2025, detectives contacted Morfin as he arrived at his place of employment in Ventura and executed the search warrant on him and his vehicle. During the search, detectives located evidence linking Morfin to the shooting, including a stolen, loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun underneath the driver’s seat of his vehicle. He was arrested for weapon violations and booked at the Main Jail without incident. He was later released from custody pending laboratory results for the firearm.
Over the next several months, the Sheriff’s Crime Lab worked diligently and obtained additional evidence linking the firearm to the shooting and Morfin to the firearm.
On 09/02/2026, Fillmore detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Morfin. At about 1628 hours, deputies from the Fillmore Patrol Station located Morfin loitering at the Rancho Sespe Apartments and arrested him for the felony warrant, which included the following crimes:
• Penal Code § 246.3(a) – [Discharge of Firearm with Gross Negligence]
• Health & Safety Code § 11370.1(a) – [Possession of Controlled Substance While Armed with Firearm]
• Penal Code § 25400(a)(1) – [Carrying a Concealed Firearm in Vehicle]
• Penal Code § 25850(c)(6) – [Carrying a Loaded Firearm]
• Penal Code § 27545 – [Unlawful Firearm Transfer]
Morfin was transported to the Main Jail where he was booked pending court proceedings.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and @FILLMOREPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
News Release Date: 09/03/2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
Booking Photo Release: NO
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Nature of Incident: Shooting Suspect Arrested
Report Number: 25-32371
Location: Goodenough Road @ 4th Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 03/16/2025, 8:35 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Detective Unit, Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(V) Fillmore Citizens, Fillmore
(S) Kristian Morfin, Fillmore, 24
***
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).